Even though he possesses a sparkling NCAA coaching resume, Tom Izzo is apparently intrigued at the thought of coaching at the highest level with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While some think it’s already a done deal, the truth is that Izzo is still contemplating, and possibly agonizing over what could be a career defining decision over whether to leave a lifetime of job security at East Lansing or to succeed the recently fired Mike Brown in Cleveland.
To me, it’s a no brainer. With all of the uncertainty swirling around Lebron James’ free agency, a new General Manager, and a possible rebuilding project in the works, why leave the college ranks for a league filled with pampered athletes and where players’ focus tend to lean towards the size of their bank accounts rather than winning a championship? While surely coach Izzo won’t be calling me any time soon for advice, here are my Top 5 Reasons Against Tom Izzo Becoming the New Head Coach of the Cavaliers:
1) Why coach a team that may be in rebuilding mode if Lebron opts out on July 1st?
As has been the case ever since Lebron James was drafted, he holds all of the cards for the organization, and why not since he is both the best player and the most marketable superstar in the game. If James bolts Cleveland to go elsewhere when his contract is up on July 1st, the new head coach is in for a pretty serious rebuilding job since the Cavs are built for the short term. The roster would be gutted, with the organization being forced into a full court press in search of their next immediate franchise player. Izzo would be in a lose-lose situation from day 1.
2) Is making $6 million per year really that much more than $3 million at Michigan State?
Yes and no. To 98% of the readers of this post, going from $3-6 million is hard to contemplate. On the other hand, everyone deserves to make the most money that they possibly can in their chosen profession, and coaching basketball is no different. But how much money is needed by coach Izzo to both feed the ego and be able to sustain living comfortably for the rest of existence? I would argue that if Lebron leaves, is $6 million enough to help offset the suffering of going through an extended rebuilding project in Cleveland? He would gain a bit more financial freedom by getting a guaranteed 3 year deal, but he would be giving upon a sweet Michigan State gig in which there is a presumed lifetime contract. Once you leave a top tier NCAA program, you can never get it back(just ask Rick Pitino).
3) Why coach pampered NBA players opposed to the hungry student athletes in college?
Not to say that college coaches have it easy, but they hold all of the cards, where the inmates run the asylum players are the ones in control in the NBA. After HS recruits sign that letter of intent, they are at the mercy of their head coach. If they aren’t hustling, running plays properly, or display a bad attitude, they will lose playing time or be released from scholarship. In the NBA players constantly play a game of one-on-one with seemingly little reprocussion. Coach Izzo is known as one of the stricter and detail oriented coaches around, which doesn’t bode well with today’s professional athletes. NBA coaches are under constant scrutiny by their own GM’s to play superstars based on their salaries rather than their performance. Note to Izzo: Be prepared to lose some of that much-loved control over the personnel.
4) Most successful college coaches fail miserably as first time NBA head coaches
No matter how good of a college coach you are in the NCAA(Top 5 in my book), the NBA game is different. Think quick, how many coaches in recent memory coming from the NCAA have succeeded at the professional level? Whether it was Tim Floyd, Mike Montgomery, or John Calipari, all had limited success and went back to college. Even Rick Pitino, who is a coaching legend, who had decent success with a good NY Knicks squad early on, failed miserably in his 2nd go-around with the Celtics. It doesn’t mean college coaches aren’t any good, they just aren’t accustomed to the NBA style of play. Maybe Izzo is the exception, but the odds are stacked against him.
5) The 2010 Spartans should be stacked and could be one of the favorites to win the NCAA Title
After making back once again to the NCAA’s Final Four once again last season, the Michigan State Spartans stand a good chance of doing it again next year. With returning team leader and former All-American point guard Kalin Lucas at the helm, a number of underclassmen returning, and a loaded recruiting class, the Spartans should be a pre-season top 5 selection. Lucas is reportedly rehabbing well from a ruptured Achillies in the NCAA Tourney. Despite losing leading scorer Raymar Morgan to graduation, the Spartans are still strong upfront with the returning Derrick Nix, Delvon Roe, and Draymond Green. A backcourt featuring Lucas, Korie Lucious, and Chris Allen could be one of the best in the nation. Add in a stellar recruiting class led by big time scoring wing Keith Appling and the dominating 6’10, 5 star Center, Adrien Payne and the Spartans should once again be the class of the Big Ten Conference.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
