Status of Izzo and LeBron Connected

You can't have a team without a coach and you can't have a team without a superstar. Right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers have neither in the fold.

But there could be movement on the coaching front.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo has been deemed as the front runner with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert being a grad of Michigan State.

What's holding Izzo back? According to Lansing, Michigan's WLNS, Izzo wants an audience with King James. The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst is also reporting that a high-level source, LeBron would endorse the Izzo hire. Seems like all that needs to be done is for LBJ and Izzo to have a conversation, right? On the surface, yes, but this is deeper.

Izzo is a Michigan (State) guy. He was born in Michigan and has been with Sparty since the Jud Heathcoate era when Izzo was an assistant.He's been in Lansing since 1983. It would be extremely difficult for Izzo to uproot to the Cleveland area. Might have something to do with Cleveland being OSU country. And the Lansing folks are not making the decision any easier by posting numerous "WE LOVE IZZO" signs. There is even a website that business owners have started to attempt to keep Izzo in Michigan.

Bottom line is this. I wouldn't blame Izzo for rejecting the job especially if Izzo determines in a conversation with LeBron that James would most likely decide to head another direction. The Cavs roster would have nothing to offer any top-notch coaching candidate without LBJ as a member of the Cavs.

Without LeBron, all the money in the world couldn't make the Cavaliers coaching vacancy attractive.

Update: The Cavs will once again commence their search for a head coach. ESPN is reporting that Izzo is staying put at Michigan State. With thisnews, te Cv are mr oless back to square one. Byron Scott has no need to jump aborad as the future of one LeBronJames will detrmine the direction in which Clevelnd is headong. - SE