Dan Gilbert Says He Made a Mistake Firing Mike Brown in 2010

After re-hiring the coach he kicked to the curb in an ill-fated attempt to convince LeBron James to stick around, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert admitted to the press that firing Mike Brown was an error in judgement. Now, there’s faint talk of the Cavs making the Playoffs again. Per the Akron Beacon Journal and News-Herald: “Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert admitted he never should have fired Mike Brown three years ago following consecutive 60-win seasons. ‘Yeah, it was a mistake,’ Gilbert said Wednesday at Brown’s reintroductory news conference. ‘When you get the benefit of hindsight, it was a mistake. We’re very happy that we get to rectify any position we took back then by Mike being available right now.’ What was supposed to be a 90-minute reacquaintance dinner meeting Sunday night between Brown, general manager Chris Grant and Cavs ownership lasted 6 1/2 hours. Three days later, Brown was introduced as the new coach. He was fired just three years ago after the Cavs were eliminated in the Eastern Conferrence semifinals. Six weeks after he was fired, LeBron James left as a free agent. […] Success usually follows Brown, and it’s probably not a coincidence. Brown wouldn’t commit to the Cavs being a playoff team in 2013-14. ‘It’s too soon,’ he said. ‘Are we shooting for it? Yes, but there’s a lot of work to do.’ After the last three seasons when the Cavs were an NBA-worst 64-166, it’s refreshing to think about being in the postseason. ‘The last three years were painful and difficult,’ Gilbert said. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if we made the playoffs.'”