Tom Izzo visits with Cleveland Cavaliers, but leaves town without making decisio

Tom Izzo came, he saw, he dined. What he'll do next, however, remains uncertain.

The Michigan State coach and his family spent all Thursday afternoon and evening with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, General Manager Chris Grant, and assistant general manager Lance Blanks.

According to multiple sources, the visit went well and Izzo and his family were impressed with the Cavs' facilities and the city. But Izzo left town after nearly nine hours without accepting Gilbert's offer

 Reshuffled front office isn't slowing Cleveland Cavaliers' off-season

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One message has become quite clear since the Cavaliers' season ended just three weeks ago. Team owner Dan Gilbert is not interested in status quo.

He's fired the coach, accepted the resignation of the general manager and there are no signs of stopping.

Gilbert has qualified these moves by saying he will not be afraid to take risks. Or as he said Friday: "The unknown is just that."

 Cavaliers will enter coaching search with plenty of big name hopes


No NBA team makes a coaching change without considering who will be the next coach. Some plans are more feasible than others, of course.

After firing Mike Brown after five seasons on Sunday, the Cavs have thrust themselves into a complex and uncertain coaching search. For one, they are one of six teams now looking for a head coach. Also without a firm handle on the future of free agent LeBron James, the team will certainly be limited in how it can pitch its job to the top-flight coaches they may look to attract.

Usually, teams want new coaches in place before the draft and the start of free agency. But with the cir*****stances, the team may not be able to make a decision until after James does. That might not be until July.

 Mike Brown and staff preparing for likely split from Cleveland Cavaliers

Decision day hasn't arrived yet but it appears everyone is preparing for it.

The Cavaliers had not performed or scheduled exit interviews with players or coaches as of Monday. Once some or all of those take place, there will be a verdict on coach Mike Brown. But if that decision is a parting of ways, the sides are getting ready for it.

 Cavaliers have lost playoff edge: Windhorst Beat Blog


CHICAGO -- Thoughts following the Cavs' 108-106 Game 3 loss to the Chicago Bulls:

• The Cavs' treated Game 3 like it was a regular season game. The Bulls treated it like a playoff game. Stripping away all the details and the coaching decisions and the calls, that was the reason why the Cavs lost.

 Shaq's back -- but status of Cavaliers' big man for Wednesday's s


INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- While the Cavaliers decide whether or not to play Shaquille O'Neal in the season finale on Wednesday, it may be easy to forget that having the option to play him before the end of the season is a victory in itself.

O'Neal has been cleared by doctors to return and he went through all of practice Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. If his right thumb makes it through Tuesday's contact practice without problems, there's a good chance coach Mike Brown will give him around 20 minutes of playing time Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

 Cavs might rest LeBron until playoffs


The Cavaliers are looking at a real possibility of resting LeBron James for the remainder of the NBA's regular season, coach Mike Brown said Friday.

James, who has assorted bumps and bruises, sat out Thursday's loss to the Chicago Bulls and was held out against the Indiana Pacers game Friday.

 Cavs to negotiate for Ilgauskas' return
George M. Thomas

 Monday could bring a shakeup to the Cavaliers' roster.

That's the day when the Cavs can begin negotiating with Zydrunas Ilgauskas about his possible return to the team.

 Ilgauskas' agent says the center plans on rejoining Cleveland

By Mary Schmitt Boyer, The Plain Dealer


In a move sure to delight Cavaliers fans, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has announced his intentions to rejoin the team and has asked agent Herb Rudoy to begin negotiations with the Cavs on March 22, the first date he can do so.

"It is Zydrunas' desire to return to the Cavaliers if a suitable contract can be agreed upon," Rudoy said in an e-mail to reporters. "He has been overwhelmed and deeply touched by the outpouring of support and affection by the fans and by his teammates. He hopes to return to bring a championship to the Cavaliers and to the city of Cleveland."

 Team doesn't know if it's thumbs up or down with Shaquille O'Neal


Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer

The hard news on Shaquille O'Neal's thumb, be it good or bad, is going to wait a day.

The Cavaliers center missed Friday's game at Toronto after suffering a sprained right thumb Thursday night in Boston when he was smacked on the hand by Celtics forward Glen Davis during a shot attempt.

 Cavs await Suns trade decision

 J.J. Hickson's role in deadline trade deals becoming more unlikely

 Cavaliers may not wait until deadline to make a trade decision

 Cavs face plenty of speculation before trade deadline

 Artest: Cavs 'nothing' without LeBron