We can't fire the players so let's fire the coach.

by Jim Fisher

Lenny Wilkens tried every which way under heaven to get the all-star team of Price, Daugherty, Nance and Williams to take it to another level in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they lost every time in the first round. The excuse was "Michael Jordan" but Chicago never won a championship with Jordan until his 8th year on the team. Chicago was beatable but the Cavaliers didn't switch from being a speed-down-the-court team to a hard-nosed defensive squad. Lenny finally just said forget it. He used every motivating tactic he could but he couldn't get them going.

Now it looks like Jim Paxson had won over the ear of new owner Dan Gilbert. Maybe Gilbert won't notice all the awful drafts by Paxson over the last six years or the six head coaches the team has had in the last six years. Paxson only successful draft picks were two no-brainers, Lebron James and Carlos Boozer. Anyone in the country could have made those picks. He made some great moves in getting Eric Snow, Drew Gooden and Anderson Varajeo but are they championship caliber players or somebody to make us forget losing Boozer? Basketball championship teams require two superstars and four good supporting players. Jordan didn't get any farther than the old Cavaliers teams until Dennis Rodman came along. We have one superstar (LeBron), one good supporter (Z) and lots of question marks.

As a season-ticket holder it's plain to me what's happening to the team. On offense, no one can stick the long-range jumper. Dajuan can't (hospitalized), Luke can't (rehab), Lucious can't (needs a brain) and Jiri can't (needs a heart). Those are Paxson's guys. No one penetrates the lane because they get surrounded by three defenders who dare them to pass back to the arc. They know no one can hit a three to save their life. So everyone stands around waiting for LeBron to do something.

On defense, the very opposite happens. Last Friday against Philly was a perfect example. Allen Iverson cut through the lane time after time and either kick out to the arc for an easy jumper or took it up himself for a bucket and a foul. Jeff McGinness cannot guard anyone anymore.

So that's how it stands right now. Gilbert, if you are listening, dump Paxson now and get someone who can get some real players for LeBron and Z.

Also, tell Usher to sit down. People want to see the game. This is not his stage.

Copyright © 2005 James D. Fisher
All rights reserved.