Most of us learn pretty early on that life is rarely fair. After we accept that, we do our best to put ourselves in situations where we can succeed. But sometimes, even then, we don

Mike Brown Might Fall Victim to Cavaliers’ Timetable 

Most of us learn pretty early on that life is rarely fair.  After we accept that, we do our best to put ourselves in situations where we can succeed.  But sometimes, even then, we don’t earn our just fate.  Cavalier coach Mike Brown’s fate could be heading toward an unavoidable head-on collision. 

Brown was handpicked to give stability to the musical chair fiasco that preceded him.  Adding to that pressure were high expectations for the city’s best chance to end a 43-year championship drought.  With one of the games best players, any less of a goal would be foolish.  Quite a pressure packed scenario for a rookie coach. 

In many people’s eyes, Brown and the Cavaliers exceeded expectations last year.  The team was able to reach the elusive 50-win mark, and play two exciting series in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  It can easily be argued that Brown out-coached both Eddie Jordan and Flip Saunders before finally bowing out to the Pistons.  At least in my opinion, a better first year script could not have been written. 

In almost all other circumstances, a head coach in any major sport would have earned a lofty “grace period.”  And, as it looked at first sight, this was no different.  The other shoe dropped, though, over an otherwise uneventful summer for the Cavaliers.  LeBron James signing on for only four more years (opposed to the originally reported six years) has taken out any room for organizational error. 

The Cavs have failed thus far to take the next step forward this year.  How much of this, if any, has to do with Mike Brown is very debatable.  From an oft-injured and underperforming Larry Hughes to a quickly regressing Eric Snow, there are many places to point fingers.  The one finger that may be finding its way towards the head coach, though, is due to the Cavs inability to find a consistent working rotation.   

The catch with Brown is this.  The Lebron James clock is ticking.  Four … and with an early playoff exit this year, three years to go.  The Cavaliers may very well not have all the pieces for a title run as of now.  Or, they may need even more time to grow as a team.

Three years down the road, we may be saying they should have had a better coach. 

Mike Brown deserves more of a pass, but anything less than the Eastern Conference Finals may not be enough to keep his job.  From my corner, performance would not justify his dismissal.  Circumstances, however, would.  With the opportunity the city and the organization has, how can you not take a chance if a proven winner is available?

Right now, the Cavalier job is more attractive than even the last time it was vacant.

If the right fit is out there, the team may be forced to make a move before they truly know if Brown could get the job done.   

Dan Gilbert wants to win, and thankfully for us, seems committed to bringing a winner to Cleveland.  His golden ticket, though, has an expiration date of 2010.  This is why, only eight months removed from his greatest career accomplishment, Mike Brown could very well be on the hot seat.