Conspiracy

[misha]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

[Who]

They've tried it and Hickson just isn't as good as most people in Ohio think he is.  No one outside of LJ is consistent threat and replacing Mike Brown won't change that.

Hickson is a distinctly ordinary player but he has a good effect on the Cavs pick and roll defense, transition defense and is very talented complementary offensive player (as well as being a decent rebounder).

Simply put, unlike Jamison or Shaq or Big Z, Hickson isn't a major defensive liability. He is about average. A little vulnerable defending the post and misses the odd defensive rotation but his good defensive contributions add slightly more than his negatives detract.

So, a fairly mediocre defender ... but that is better than being a major liability (Jamison, Shaq, Ilgauskas).

[mgent]

It's basically the Cavs players have an idea of how they want to play, especially in this series, and Brown is telling them to play another way (even though it clearly isn't working).  This had gone on for 4 games and it looks like the guys finally decided they were done trying for someone who doesn't respect their opinion.

Brown was very close to being fired last year for this exact same reason against Orlando.  Looks like he's definitely done after this year.

So why wouldn't they just play "how they want to play" and prove him wrong?  How does losing the series on purpose make any sense whatsoever?

[MMacOH]

No way. This is just a lame excuse. If Lebron wanted Brown out, one word to GM and he's gone. In a contract year they'll do anything for him. Also, this speculation means that Lebron is satying with Cavs, so it make sense for Clevlend fans to believe that.

Not every game/series in which Lebron plays bad is some sort of conspiracy.

It's been all playoffs, where have you been?  Lebron has put forth max effort in 2 games this playofs.  Game 4 against the Bulls and Game 3 against the Celtics.

Actually, my specualtion is that he is staying, the speculation in Cleveland is that he is going to Chicago with Calipari and Rose

[MMacOH]

It's basically the Cavs players have an idea of how they want to play, especially in this series, and Brown is telling them to play another way (even though it clearly isn't working).  This had gone on for 4 games and it looks like the guys finally decided they were done trying for someone who doesn't respect their opinion.

Brown was very close to being fired last year for this exact same reason against Orlando.  Looks like he's definitely done after this year.

So why wouldn't they just play "how they want to play" and prove him wrong?  How does losing the series on purpose make any sense whatsoever?

Because they want to play small and athletic.  Shaq and Z are not small and athletic. 

[Rondo_is_better]

Uhhhh...... I don't think so.

[Change]

No offense, I find it hard to believe. A professional team with so much at stake doesn't tank. Its merely another excuse to discredit Celtics and what they have done so far. Before the series started, the big misconception was Cavs being better than the Celtics. The lie everyone believed. So now 'expert' don't want to backtrack and admit their wrong. Its easier to point away and come up with 'conspiracy'. No Sir, all the expert were wrong. And thats the truth. The match-ups top to bottom favored the Celtics.

[Greenbean]

I dont know this is a little bit of a stretch IMO.

If LeBron wants Brown out, he's gone. Point blank period. He does not have to p--- off an entire state to do that. All he has to do is say the word.

Brown might be costing them this series but LeBron isnt tanking because he doesnt like the coaching

[Who]

There is no need for a power struggle. It is LeBron's house and what he wants happens.

[BudweiserCeltic]

This is a bunch of nonsense.

[Birdbrain]

They've tried it and Hickson just isn't as good as most people in Ohio think he is.  No one outside of LJ is consistent threat and replacing Mike Brown won't change that.

Hickson is a distinctly ordinary player but he has a good effect on the Cavs pick and roll defense, transition defense and is very talented complementary offensive player (as well as being a decent rebounder).

Simply put, unlike Jamison or Shaq or Big Z, Hickson isn't a major defensive liability. He is about average. A little vulnerable defending the post and misses the odd defensive rotation but his good defensive contributions add slightly more than his negatives detract.

So, a fairly mediocre defender ... but that is better than being a major liability (Jamison, Shaq, Ilgauskas).

Fair enough but, what you give up is someone that can actually score.  Hickson scores on offensive rebounds he has no post game whereas you can get some of that from the other 3.

[PosImpos]

Whatever makes you guys feel better.  I know it must be hard to deal with that loss last night.

Me...I can't believe a few days ago I was shaking my head at how easily the Celtics folded at home.  What a difference a few days makes!  I just hope a couple days isn't enough time to make the difference that the Cavs need.

[Birdbrain]

This just sounds so needlessly complicated to me. I can't imagine that the players want a new coach more than they want to win. You mean to tell me Lebron sees tanking as the only way to get rid of Brown? Even if the Cavs won the championship all he has to do is say I will walk unless we get a new coach.

trust me there isn't a lick of truth to it but, it's an interesting concept.

[Fafnir]

I think if anything its just a reflection of LeBron losing faith in his body and Mike Brown at the same time.

I think he's injured and isn't dealing with it well mentally, combine that with a Coach you don't respect or agree with.....

[fairweatherfan]

There is some precedent for this...remember this game?  Lakers go up 3-1 on the Suns, but in Game 7 Kobe just stops trying at halftime, has 1 pt and 1 assist in the 2nd half.  But Kobe wasn't trying to get his coach fired, and his team didn't have a shot to do much more if they won.  Kobe's just kind of a (female dog with puppies).  What's LeBron's excuse?