The Cavaliers took time from their pursuit of a second playoff victory to honor one of their own Monday; when told that fourth year coach Mike Brown has been voted the league's Coach of the Year.
Leading the team to an all-time best 66 wins this season, Brown received 55 first place votes from a panel of sportwriters and broadcasters, totalling more than `twice' the points as the runner-up coach.
Trying hard to deflect the praise, Brown told nearly 100 media in a packed CAVS practice center media room that `Coach of the Year' - is really a team award.
MIKE BROWN: "I haven't put on a single uniform. I haven't done anything out on the floor - players have done it all. My coaching staff has done a lot. And when you win an award like this - you can't do it by yourself. You have to have some great people around you."
But his players refuted his humility.
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas praised Brown's 'work ethic' and dedication; as reasons for the Cavaliers success.
ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS: "Just preparation-wise, you know we never lose a game because we're ill-prepared. We're always well-prepared. He's the first one in, last one out, and more than anything, as good as he is as a coach, he's an even better person."
And for the official announcement, `every' member of the team filed into the media center to stand behind Brown - a symbolic, as well as a heartfelt display.
Team Captain LeBron James said the honor - is well-deserved.
LeBRON JAMES: "There's a lot of teams with great talent, but that doesn't automatically classify you as a good coach, or give you wins as a team, so it just showed this year how good of a coach he is."
In four seasons leading the team, Mike Brown has the best winning percentage in franchise history. He had been named Coach of the Month
on three separate occasions during the NBA season - in December, February, and March.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
