The Cleveland Cavs coaching search has been relatively quiet over the past 24 hours, with one legendary coaching name still floating out there as a potential top candidate to replace Mike Brown. Some other interesting names are also starting to pop up around the media, regardless of the team's silence on the matter, as we present to you the Top 5 Cleveland Cavs Head Coaching Candidates As Of May 17th:
5. Lionel Hollins
If the Cleveland Cavs are serious about staying true to their recent mission to completely revamp the team's defense, there is no better veteran coach on the market to take to the next level on that side of the ball than Lionel Hollins. Hollins completely changed the culture of the Memphis Grizzlies during his time there, with his hard-nosed system-or-die style still paying dividends for the team in his absence. Don't be surprised if Hollins vaults up this list over the next week or so.
4. Mike D'Antoni
Will the Cavs be willing to look past the fiasco that was the end of D'Antoni's tenure in Los Angeles and see the coach who was heavily-coveted for his offensive genius during his time in Phoenix? Image can mean a lot when it comes to being an NBA head coach, and D'Antoni needs to prove that he can effectively rehab before being seriously considered as a front-runner for this or any job.
3. Adrian Griffin
The Chicago Bulls assistant coach is still lurking around as a potential top candidate for the job, but with the Cleveland Cavs tipping their hand about their interest in Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari (probably won't happen) and George Karl throwing his name into the hat for the gig (very well could happen), Griffin may have a better chance to land a less-"sexy" job such as the vacancy in Utah.
2. Alvin Gentry
Holding steady at number two in the Cleveland Cavs head coaching job is former Phoenix Suns HC and current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Alvin Gentry. With the upcoming wreckage of the Donald Sterling situation looming over everyone's heads at Staples Center, Gentry may be looking for a way out and quickly. If the Cavs don't land Karl or Calipari, GM David Griffin's relationship with Gentry (from their time with the Suns) may make Gentry an instant favorite.
1. George Karl
According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, George Karl "really wants [the] Cavs' coaching job." Do the Cavs want Karl? Why wouldn't they? Karl is the ultimate effort-first coach, and could end up being a huge catalyst for the careers of players such as Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. Also, the last time he had a losing season in the NBA, neither Irving nor Waiters were even born yet. Convinced?
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