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Cleveland Fires Jim Paxson21st April, 2005 - 3:25 pm
Cavaliers Press Release - The Cleveland Cavaliers released President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Jim Paxson today after seven years with the organization, six years in the role of general manager. The announcement was made by Dan Gilbert, Cavaliers majority owner.
In addition, Gilbert announced that Brendan Malone will not be a candidate for head coach next season. Malone became the head coach of the Cavaliers, taking over for Paul Silas on March 22nd, 2005.
"I would like to thank Jim Paxson for his seven years of service to the Cavaliers organization. Jim has worked hard and made some moves in the past couple of years that has put our team in a position to go to the next level. However, the new ownership team believes it is time for a new direction in leadership in the basketball operations side of the business," said Gilbert.
Although Brendan Malone was informed he will not be a candidate for the Cavaliers head coaching position, Malone will stay with the organization in a capacity to be determined by the yet to be named new general manager and new head coach.
"Brendan Malone took over a team that was going through an extended, difficult stretch during a critical part of the season, having lost 9 of their prior 12 games. Brendan and the team fought hard to make the playoffs and, although tying New Jersey for the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, as we all know, the tie breaker went to New Jersey. I am proud of Brendan's efforts, " continued Gilbert.
"Brendan went 8-10 in the 18 games he was head coach. He faced a very difficult part of the schedule, with an immense amount of pressure for the Cavaliers to make the playoffs. Although we came up just short, I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the professional manner in which Brendan handled both the team and himself during this time, " Gilbert said.
The Cavaliers improved from 35 wins in the 2003-2004 season to 42 wins and their first finish over .500 since the 1997-98 season.
"Although it's a step in the right direction, it's not good enough for the fans, the community, the players, the hundreds of dedicated and hard working employees of the Cavs, nor certainly the new ownership team. We are all here to win championships. No other goal is more important," Gilbert added.
"LeBron James has grown and matured into one of the best basketball players to play the game in only his second year in the league. This gives our organization an advantage unlike any other. It is no secret that this team will be built around LeBron with players who have shown the desire, passion, work ethic, team approach, and skills necessary to build a culture and environment of winning at the highest levels, " Gilbert remarked.
"I also want to let Cavalier fans everywhere know this ownership team will stop at nothing to bring in the best basketball people possible to lead and drive this process. It all starts with our search for a new general manager and head coach. That search is officially underway," continued Gilbert.
Paxson released the following statement.
"I want to thank the Cavaliers organization for the time I've been here, there are many hard working and very talented people with the organization that I wish the best for. I also want to thank Gordon Gund and say how much I appreciate his support and guidance over the years. He is truly one of the most remarkable persons I know and it was a privilege to have worked for, and with, him. I was in a position that required us to travel through some difficult times, but we did so in order to put the franchise in the favorable position it is now in for this summer. Everything done over the last several years was done so with this summer as the target for substantial growth.
I also want to wish Dan Gilbert and the new ownership team every success in the future."
source: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/35698/20050421/cleveland_fires_jim_paxson/
In addition, Gilbert announced that Brendan Malone will not be a candidate for head coach next season. Malone became the head coach of the Cavaliers, taking over for Paul Silas on March 22nd, 2005.
"I would like to thank Jim Paxson for his seven years of service to the Cavaliers organization. Jim has worked hard and made some moves in the past couple of years that has put our team in a position to go to the next level. However, the new ownership team believes it is time for a new direction in leadership in the basketball operations side of the business," said Gilbert.
Although Brendan Malone was informed he will not be a candidate for the Cavaliers head coaching position, Malone will stay with the organization in a capacity to be determined by the yet to be named new general manager and new head coach.
"Brendan Malone took over a team that was going through an extended, difficult stretch during a critical part of the season, having lost 9 of their prior 12 games. Brendan and the team fought hard to make the playoffs and, although tying New Jersey for the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, as we all know, the tie breaker went to New Jersey. I am proud of Brendan's efforts, " continued Gilbert.
"Brendan went 8-10 in the 18 games he was head coach. He faced a very difficult part of the schedule, with an immense amount of pressure for the Cavaliers to make the playoffs. Although we came up just short, I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the professional manner in which Brendan handled both the team and himself during this time, " Gilbert said.
The Cavaliers improved from 35 wins in the 2003-2004 season to 42 wins and their first finish over .500 since the 1997-98 season.
"Although it's a step in the right direction, it's not good enough for the fans, the community, the players, the hundreds of dedicated and hard working employees of the Cavs, nor certainly the new ownership team. We are all here to win championships. No other goal is more important," Gilbert added.
"LeBron James has grown and matured into one of the best basketball players to play the game in only his second year in the league. This gives our organization an advantage unlike any other. It is no secret that this team will be built around LeBron with players who have shown the desire, passion, work ethic, team approach, and skills necessary to build a culture and environment of winning at the highest levels, " Gilbert remarked.
"I also want to let Cavalier fans everywhere know this ownership team will stop at nothing to bring in the best basketball people possible to lead and drive this process. It all starts with our search for a new general manager and head coach. That search is officially underway," continued Gilbert.
Paxson released the following statement.
"I want to thank the Cavaliers organization for the time I've been here, there are many hard working and very talented people with the organization that I wish the best for. I also want to thank Gordon Gund and say how much I appreciate his support and guidance over the years. He is truly one of the most remarkable persons I know and it was a privilege to have worked for, and with, him. I was in a position that required us to travel through some difficult times, but we did so in order to put the franchise in the favorable position it is now in for this summer. Everything done over the last several years was done so with this summer as the target for substantial growth.
I also want to wish Dan Gilbert and the new ownership team every success in the future."
source: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/35698/20050421/cleveland_fires_jim_paxson/
