At last, we have finally reached the fourth part of a special training camp preview that I have been gathering for the past week and a half. It sure is a different feel this season compared the others. A team that on average, was one of the oldest teams in the league just a few months ago, almost overnight became one of the youngest. Once LeBron left town, followed by Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O’Neal, the Cavaliers had no choice but to rebuild. A trade that brought over Ramon Sessions and Ryan Hollins from Minnesota instantaneously made the team young again. Christian Eyenga (2009 first round draft pick) and Samardo Samuels (rookie out of Louisville) also explain how the Cavaliers have turned age into youth.
However, the Cavaliers did grow older in one area of their team.
Former Head Coach Mike Brown was fired soon after an unacceptable exit in the second round of the playoffs last season. Mike Brown was 40 years of age, one of the youngest coaches in the league. Now, with all of that in the back windshield, the Cavaliers hired Byron Scott to lead the team in the post-LeBron era. Byron Scott is nine years older than Brown.
So let’s take a look at not just Byron Scott, but the others that will help Coach Scott guide this team to what hopefully will be another playoff season.
Coaches:
Byron Scott - A former three-time NBA Champion, Byron knows how to win it all. A successful NBA point guard, Scott played for the Lakers, Pacers, and Grizzlies. Byron scored 15,097 points in his career to go along with, 2,729 assists and 1,224 total steals. Scott plans on using the “Princeton” and an up-tempo style offense to help improve his team and win ballgames. The “Princeton” involves a lot of player movement and ball movement as well, looking for the open man on each possession for the best quality shot. Byron Scott was a former coach for the New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets. He led the Nets to an NBA Finals appearance, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott led the Nets back to the Finals once more but once again got the same result against San Antonio. He also led the once lowly Hornets to multiple playoff seasons, taking a far less talented team to the playoffs. He was awarded the 2007-2008 NBA Coach of the Year award.
Chris Je
nt—Jent has been around the Cavaliers since 2006. Jent was known for his work with LeBron James, and helped him with his shooting. Formerly, he was an assistant head coach with the Orlando Magic during the 2004-2005 season. Jent spent 10 seasons playing professional ball, including two years in the NBA. He won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets and played with the Knicks during the 1996-1997 season. Jent will look to help his players with shooting and defense.
nt—Jent has been around the Cavaliers since 2006. Jent was known for his work with LeBron James, and helped him with his shooting. Formerly, he was an assistant head coach with the Orlando Magic during the 2004-2005 season. Jent spent 10 seasons playing professional ball, including two years in the NBA. He won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets and played with the Knicks during the 1996-1997 season. Jent will look to help his players with shooting and defense. Paul Pressey— Brought on with Byron Scott, Pressey, next to Scott, is the newest coach the Cavaliers are honored to have on the sidelines. Pressey has been in the NBA for quite some time now. He was an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, San Antonio, and New Orleans.
He won an NBA Championship coaching when he was with the San Antonio Spurs in 1998-99. Paul also enjoyed an 11-year NBA career, appearing in 724 regular season games with Milwaukee and San Antonio. Paul Pressey is very familiar with Byron Scott and his system, and will use his knowledge to teach not only the players but the other coaches as well.
He won an NBA Championship coaching when he was with the San Antonio Spurs in 1998-99. Paul also enjoyed an 11-year NBA career, appearing in 724 regular season games with Milwaukee and San Antonio. Paul Pressey is very familiar with Byron Scott and his system, and will use his knowledge to teach not only the players but the other coaches as well.
Jamahl Mosely—A four-year letterman at the University of Colorado, Mosely will look to take another big step in what has already become a promising career. Jamahl is 28 years of age and came over from the Denver Nuggets last season. He will help Coach Scott and the others develop the skills and fundamentals of the Cavalier players.
Joe Prunty - Spending time with the Dallas Mavericks and S
an Antonio, Prunty will look to add to his experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Prunty began coaching high school basketball in San Diego. During his time there, Joe coached Luke Walton (Lakers) and Mark Prior (Cubs). Joe brings a wide variety of things he can do for the Cavaliers.
an Antonio, Prunty will look to add to his experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Prunty began coaching high school basketball in San Diego. During his time there, Joe coached Luke Walton (Lakers) and Mark Prior (Cubs). Joe brings a wide variety of things he can do for the Cavaliers. In the year 2000, Joe was the video coordinator for the Spurs. Prunty was also a scout/assistant for the Spurs as well. Coach Prunty also has had experience running camps for colleges and high schools. Joe will look to help the Cavaliers out with all of the experience he has gained over the years and help take this team to the promised land.
So just in a few hours the Cavaliers will tip-off the 2010-11 season, pre-season that is. The Cavaliers play the Charlotte Bobcats. This year we have a brand new team that is ready to shock the world with possibly the biggest chip on their shoulders.
Experts are already writing them off, but I’m not. A 66 and 61 win team the past two seasons didn’t win that many games with just one man, (LeBron James) and I’m ready to see what these Cavs can do! Are you ready?
All for One. One for All.
Keep your heads up Cleveland.
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