WHAT?!?! Now, just wait a minute. I understand the Cavs are the proud owners of the NBA's longest losing streak. That the Cavs were nearly doubled-up by the Lakers but a week ago. That the Cavaliers are the only team in the league still named after an adjective. But, they are also named after a noun, "one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant." The Cavs are on the rise! Well, no, they're not. They're easily the worst team in league, and hold little to no ability to improve their situation.
Then what the heck am I talking about?
Like the Cy Young, the Red Auerbach Trophy overvalues wins. And, although it does a great job of recognizing positive win differential between seasons with the same or similar squad, it does little for teams that have been decimated by free agency. The award almost never rewards tactics (Tex Winter's triangle offense was commended by giving the award to Phil Jackson). It almost always requires "getting the most" out of a young star.
Byron Scott is aware of these tendencies. He won the award in the 07-08 season with the New Orleans Hornets. Those Hornets won a ton of games, had a win differential of +17 from the previous season, and used almost no tactics because Scott got so much artistry out of his young superstar Chris Paul.
Has Scott lost a step? Did he forget how to coach in the last few years? Not even close. The conditions just aren't ripe for the traditional award. These Cavs will not (cannot?) win many games this season. Even if the team did still sport quality players, they likely would have had a negative win differential this season, having won 61 last year. This years Cleveland stands no chance without tactics (and so Scott will use them). And there is nothing resembling a young star on the team (although J.J. Hickson still has potential to be great).
No, this year is easily Scott's toughest assignment as a player or coach. And what he's doing is nothing short of remarkable. Coach Scott is coaching. His Cavs are giving up a whopping 104.9 points per game, and have by far the worst point differential at -11.3. So, it's imperative to step up the D. On Tuesday he was quoted as saying "If you make a mistake by not getting up and doing what you're supposed to do, next dead ball, come to the bench. Cause you're coming out." And on Wednesday night, that's exactly what happened. The Suns built a 17-point lead in the third quarter, and Scott made good on his promise. The response: The Cavs allowed just 3 points in the first 6 minutes of the fourth. Sure, they weren't able to sustain the intensity, but Scott's philosophy was embraced. J.J. Hickson is clearly the closest the team has to a ray of hope, and a fan favorite, but even he can be -- and has been -- benched been Scott. Hickson had his best +/- in ages at -2. Not All-star caliber, but a far cry from the -27 he put up against the Nuggets.
Here's the thing: Byron Scott is not coaching for his job. Unlike NFL coaches who kick field goals with 3 minutes to go, trailing by 27, just to avoid the shutout, Scott will bench his hottest hand if the philosophy is not being followed. He knows Jamario Moon is a likely one-man highlight reel, but doesn't even start him, because, frankly, he's not a starter. He had the heart (funny word to use for the devil) torn from the team before he even got there, and was told to contend with scraps. Forget contend. Cavs owner, Dan Gilbert PROMISED the Cavs would win a championship before the Heat. But, Scott continues to plod along, developing a team, seeing that promise become more and more unrealistic.
But, the number one pick looms. Scott knows it. And he knows that if he puts together a team of complements before the star gets there, that positive win differential is right around the corner.
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