Are Cavs fans embarrased by thier front office?

[Golabki]

From an outside perspective, the Cavs seem to be a pretty terribly run franchise. Two things...

(1) The only two Cavs players in recent years that could be called stars without irony (LeBron and Boozer) left under weird circumstances that seemed to completely shock Cavs management. After each left the front office blamed everything on the players, seemingly with the view that they were cheated out of something they were owed.

(2) Efforts to adds complimentary pieces have been comical. The players that were supposed to serve as LeBron's "Robins" were Larry Hughes (unmitigated disaster) and Mo Williams (a shoot first, no D PG who wouldn't start on a lot of NBA teams). Jamison and Shaq came in as serviceable role-players on terrible contracts. As a Celtics fan I still have found memories of the Jiri Welch for a 1st round pick absurdity. While the front office acted like it was LeBron to wait around until the figure it out. It reminds me a lot of Pierce getting screwed by Pitino for the better part of a decade.

So, who here shares the view of the Cavs management, that they are victims of bad luck and malicious stars. Who is basically fed up and embarrassed by the their combination of finger pointing and incompetence? Just wondering about the feel of the town.

[the edge]

Please, LOL!! what a joke!

Quite possibly the only reason Cleveland didn't get the title last year was because LBJ faked an injury, and tanked the Celtics series because he had already decided to leave for North Cuba!

Obviously an outside perspective with no clue.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I thought the Cavs did everything in their power to keep Lebron happy, even above and beyond what most teams would do. I don't fault them one bit. You can question all of their acquisitions, but in reality, I'm guessing Lebron had a huge role as to who played alongside of him. He had input, so some of the blame definitely falls on him.

[Lapinski]

I think they were played by two players who don't have an ounce of integrity. That is my view from the outside.

I only hope if they are in a similar situation they will move such players and not let themselves get burned again.

[B Mac]

First of all, many of the things you mentioned were products of the previous GM, who yes I was embarrassed of. Although Boozer was not the GM's fault, he didnt want to let Boozer out of his contract but agreed to when the owner (Gordon Gund) demanded it after Boozer lied to him. The blame there goes on Boozer, though.

Second, any of these moves we made since LBJ were done to placate him and under his decision. The Shaq trade? LeBron's idea. The Jamison trade? LeBron's idea. Signing Larry Hughes? LeBron's idea. This guy basically pick and chose his teammates that he has since blasted and then quit on them. If there is anything to be embarrassed of, its that LeBron was given too much power, but he's the one who should get all the finger pointing because of his imcompetence.

[tidho]

Wow, people assume so much.

Most importantly our current 'front office' has been in place less than a year, nothing listed was their responsibility/fault/accomplishment.

In hind sight I am sorry the organization allowed LeBron to have so much influence. I don't think its clear how the blaim for that is divided between Gilbert, James, Ferry, or others. While so some it appears that James had all the power by continually failing to fully commit to the organization and everything else seems to have stemmed from that - we really don't know.

[Golabki]

A lot of people are saying something to the effect of "the Cavs weren't poorly managed, the problem was that LeBron controlled the personal decisions". OK, that might be true, but when you are resorting to saying that management isn't to blame because they couldn't control their own roster... well I think you are making my point for me. It's like saying "It's not my fault I didn't finish the marathon, I trained by copying everything my obese brother does, blame him".

B Mac: You are right, the new GM may not be as bad. But the question is more about the last decade or so, in general and the role of the owner and the culture.

[Roger Murdock]

We had opportunities to land better players but they wouldn't sign because LeBron made no commitment to the team.

[captaincrunk]

Please, LOL!! what a joke!

Quite possibly the only reason Cleveland didn't get the title last year was because LBJ faked an injury, and tanked the Celtics series because he had already decided to leave for North Cuba!

Obviously an outside perspective with no clue.

And that they would have lost to the Celtics or the Magic anyway, or the Lakers...

[Dirty Water]

We had opportunities to land better players but they wouldn't sign because LeBron made no commitment to the team.

Here's I think is the best answer. Cavs were basically handcuffed by Lebron and his decisions and demands well before he left for free agency. It's also hard to trade for "proven stars" when the pieces around Lebron are poor. Finishing atop the standings and not able to improve the roster through the draft also hurt them.

[gflem]

We had opportunities to land better players but they wouldn't sign because LeBron made no commitment to the team.

Here's I think is the best answer. Cavs were basically handcuffed by Lebron and his decisions and demands well before he left for free agency. It's also hard to trade for "proven stars" when the pieces around Lebron are poor. Finishing atop the standings and not able to improve the roster through the draft also hurt them.

Other teams are able to finish near the top and improve in the draft, look at the Spurs. However, I would bet that Duncan never played the Spurs like Lecon did. The blame there is two-fold, one was management for letting a twenty something year old player run the franchise, and two Lecon for being a spoiled child and demanding things go his way all the time.
I dont blame Ferry for leaving, or for the moves he made, he wasnt near perfect, but he had to give in to the spoiled child or possibly lose his gig if Lecon cried to Gilbert. Not a good place to be in, but no pity for him either, he took the job and got credit when they were wining.
Most of us here know a major rebuild is in order, and tonights game while disgusting may be what was needed for Gilbert to see the truth. Hopefully.

[sisibilio]

I see you're buying the blame all on LeBron.
Having the most incopetent FO in the league wasn't LeBron's fault, you'll just keep diging your own grave, good luck being the laughinstock of the league for the next decade.

[Dekadez]

I still can't believe you're all putting the 2010 PO blame on Lebron: He didnt give it his all against Boston, but he still did put up great numbers. Kobe could space out in Game7 and still get the title, thats what having a team is about.

If Lebron had a nr2, a legitimate number 2, in the Boston series, the Cavs would've probably made at least the ECF, and probably the Finals. Instead: They need huge games, every night, from Lebron to advance, and a mediocre game immediatly hits a nail in the coffin?

Come on, if you want a one man team, just say so.

[mcfly1204]

Why isn't this thread locked?