EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and perhaps LeBron James.

In a statement released by the school on Tuesday, Izzo said, "I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State."

For the past nine days, Izzo had been trying to decide whether to leave the place that has been his home since 1983 and jump to the NBA to perhaps make $6 million -- doubling his salary -- and possibly coach one of the best basketball players in the world.

"Throughout the entire process, Dan Gilbert and the entire Cleveland organization has been nothing but class. His professionalism and caring nature for me, my family and Michigan State have been impressive. I wish him nothing but the best in his quest to win a world championship," Izzo said in a statement released by the school. "Just as I decided to stay home, I hope a 6-8, 270-pound forward in Cleveland decides to stay home."

The Spartans have scheduled an 8:30 p.m. ET news conference with Izzo, school president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis.

"I'd like to thank the students, alumni and fans of Michigan State University for their concerns and thoughts," Hollis said in a statement released by the school. "This has been an anxious process for everyone and their support and patience was much appreciated by everyone.

"Coach Izzo is more than a basketball coach. He positively impacts everything he touches, much of which is outside the job description of coaching basketball. With traits such as hard work, dedication, perseverance and attention to detail, he's a symbol of what we should possess as we work together for the financial recovery of our great state. During difficult times, the people of our state turn our focus to these kinds of people … Joe Louis, Al Kaline, Barry Sanders, Bo Schembechler, Steve Yzerman, Magic Johnson and Tom Izzo. Coach Izzo is a natural resource of the state of Michigan."

This past season, Izzo led the Spartans to the Final Four for the sixth time in 12 years. Only the late John Wooden at UCLA and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski also have done that.

"It's a great day, knowing he's coming back," said Mateen Cleaves, perhaps Izzo's favorite player and one of the stars from his 2000 national championship team. "It put the biggest smile on my face to know he's coming back."

Milwaukee Bucks guard Charlie Bell, who played on the 2000 national championship team, was also glad to hear Izzo's staying: "Izzo is Michigan State basketball.

Izzo's snub has further tangled a tricky summer for the Cavaliers, who are weeks away from knowing whether James will be back with them.

Since the Cavs' loss to Boston in the second round of the playoffs, owner Dan Gilbert fired Mike Brown, the most successful coach in team history; general manager Danny Ferry left after deciding not to renew his contract following five banner years; and now Izzo, a friend of Gilbert's, doesn't want to be in the Cavs' future.

James' decision hangs over all of it. Without knowing whether he'll return, the Cavs' pursuit of a coach has been nearly impossible. They can't promise candidates that No. 23 -- soon to be No. 6 -- will be around to make another run at a title.

The Cavs were adamant that James would not be consulted during their coaching search. Even if a coach had talked to the two-time MVP, he wasn't going to reveal his plans before hitting the free-agent market with an All-Star class that includes fellow Olympians Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Cleveland's next option appears to be Byron Scott, who spent an hour on the phone last week with Cavs GM Chris Grant and assistant Lance Blanks. Scott might not be a slam dunk backup plan for the Cavs because the former New Jersey and New Orleans coach would be interested in the Los Angeles job if Phil Jackson retires.

Scott, whom the Hornets fired in November, won three titles playing for the Lakers and has dreamed of coaching in L.A. He had an out clause built into his contract with the Nets so that he could pursue the Lakers job if it ever opened. He also loves the West Coast and might seriously listen to the Clippers if they're interested in him.

The Cavs also have contacted Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson and former Atlanta coach and Cavs assistant Mike Woodson. The team could bring one of both of them in for interviews but may wait until after it has a better sense of James' next off-the-floor move.

Gilbert knew finding Brown's replacement would be difficult. He said it would be ideal to have a coach in place by July 1, but that may be unrealistic. The draft is next week, and although the Cavs don't currently have a pick, they've been shopping around to obtain one.

They've also talked to several teams about possible trades, hoping to upgrade their roster and make it more appealing to James.

Brown was fired after five seasons for failing to win a championship. His successor will be hard-pressed to match Brown's success over a five-year span during which the Cavs went to the finals, won two division titles and had the league's best regular-season record the past two seasons.

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Interesting news. I think he would have taken the job had he known that James was coming back, but with the uncertainty, the amount of money couldn't override the possibility of taking over a team without James. Now, it's probably onto Byron Scott.

Lebron to Chicago is a lock.

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I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Jent ended up being their coach. It's so close to July 1st that a coach would have to really want a job to sign without knowing what LeBron will do or knowing the contingency plan the Cavs have in the event LeBron leaves. My guess is it would have to be a fire sale. Try to bring in some young guys and rebuild.

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UPDATE: Izzo has decided to stay at Michigan State.

During a press conference on Tuesday night, Izzo said he did not speak with James. But according to Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Izzo said he talked with people in LeBron's camp and "felt comfortable with things I needed to know."

Additionally, Izzo said: "If LeBron wouldn've stayed that doesn't mean that I would have been there. It was not the only factor. Was it a big factor? Sure.

Windhorst adds this: "This is known: LeBron is not committing to anything before 7/1. But there is little doubt his non-answer affected Izzo's decision."

So while Izzo didn't talk to LeBron directly, he did get some intel from his camp -- intel that likely gave him little indication of LeBron's intentions.

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I guess if I'm James, the coach doesn't matter as much as the talent around him, and it's come up short the last few years. Outsdie of shuffling the deck some, moving Mo Williams for another point guard, how does this team get much better this off-season?

I have heard Jent as well as Shaw mentioned along with Scott in the last few days.

They won't get better unless a team like Toronto or the Suns make a stupid deal with them. They don't have the cap flexibility or the young stars to attract a stud. They can sign someone with the MLE but beyond Ray Allen I doubt anyone they sign could have a big enough impact to help them win a title. I think draft day will clear some of these things up.

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Kobe winning another title could make LeBron want to win even more or it could make him try to build a legacy with the Cavs. Thursday should be a lot of fun.

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I think it pushes him to want to win more... I also think both him and Kobe are sick of the greatest player in the league comparisons.

The Izzo thing, and the Tom Thibodeau switching agents thing really makes me believe Lebron wont go back to the Cavs. Some peeps say he'll sign a 3 year deal, but why? The next three years will be his prime years. I dont see him wasting time in Cleveland. He's been there 7 years. You could tell he was done with Cleveland in the L.King interview.

Not gonna say it's a lock, but all the rumors about where he's gonna go have mainly centered around Chicago.

Im also revoking the NBA opinion credentials of any moron who doesnt want Lebron to come to Chi. You can have Captain Kirk and Lu-Deng. You are the same morons who backed Pax when he wouldnt give Deng up for Kobe 3 years ago. The rest of us will be happy watching LBJ, D-Rose, and Smoke'em Noah go deep in the playoffs (Insert Gloria James Joke here) every year for the next decade.

Carmelo is a free agent after next season, and if we only sign Lebron this year, Id love to see Melo in a Bulls uni. Just a dream tho.

Btw, IMO Dirk is the best match for LBJ, but prolly not for Thibodeau. Realistically, it's prolly Bosh or Amare. But Amare cant play D either, and microfracture surgery is nothing to overlook.

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The new CBA is the main reason why Melo and LeBron will sign long term deals this year. I doubt Dirk will leave. I agree with everything else.

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I dont have the report at hand, but Im pretty sure Dirk's agent said he's gonna opt out to join this free agent class. Shortly after, Cuban was fined for tlking about signing James.

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True. That was his way of telling LeBron he wanted him if he could convince the Cavs to sign and trade him. Would LeBron want to play second fiddle to Dirk in Dallas? What the Cavs agree to it? They would need to give away more than just Caron and the salaries would have to make sense. Do you take on Marion's contract too? That would make the salaries work.

The next couple weeks should be a lot of fun. I expect the draft to settle a few things. I believe their will be at least 5 trades.

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The next 2 weeks will hopefully make me proud to be a Bulls fan again. The void between point guard and center should be resolved one way or the other.

I forgot to mention, I was of the mind if NJ got the #1 pick and took J.Wall then the LBJ thing would still be up in the air. Then NJ got jobbed by the league (Not a stern fan, see 1985 draft video), and it sorta solidified my belief Lebron was going to either Chicago or staying home. In hindsight, idk if Lebron would want to wait for Wall to catch up to the NBA game. Not that it's gonna take him more than a season or two, but D-Rose is already 2 years in.

.... And Dirk would be in LBJ's shadow. Not the other way around. I think both Nowitzki and james just want to win at this point in their careers. They would be nearly unstoppable as a duo on any team, but with the two pieces the Bulls already have, it would be lights out.

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AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James made a dramatic appearance at his party -- after it ended.

With thousands of his hometown fans already gone or leaving "LeBron Appreciation Day" on Saturday, James walked through a side entrance into nearly empty InfCision Stadium on the University of Akron's campus and made his way down to the playing field.

As fans screamed and pushed to get a look at the superstar, James, who lives a short drive from the school, was presented with a crystal trophy, which had already been placed back inside a box before his surprise appearance.

"Akron is my home and life," James told the crowd. "Everything I do is for this city. I love every one of you all. Akron is home."

During a one-hour ceremony attended by nearly 4,000 fans that ended about 20 minutes early, James was honored by the city he affectionately calls home and a place the Cleveland Cavaliers star and upcoming free agent will soon consider leaving to play for another NBA team.

James didn't commit to appearing at the event, which was sponsored by local businesses.

The 25-year-old did not address free agency during his 10-minute stay.

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The Bulls have a lot of cap room this offseason, but they're looking to increase it by trading their first round pick (No. 17) in the draft and another player.

Bulls general manager Gar Forman told Adam Fluck of Bulls.com that he's had talks with other teams about the pick, but trading it by itself is "not significant enough" to make a deal.

"It would have to be the pick with a combination of something else," Forman said.

Most feel that Forman is shopping Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich due to their high salaries and the ability to add two max players if the forward or guard can be moved in a trade.

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I dont think Lebron is staying in Cleveland. I just saw that article on Espn.com and it doesnt make me think he's going back there. It's like they had to beg him to show up, and he eventually decided to go cus his phone was blowing up so much.

The only thing that could fuck up the next two weeks is the mismanagement of our front office. And that's a big obstacle. I guess Hinrich isnt so untouchable now J-Pax? Both those players were far more valuable 2 years ago. PG is the deepest position in the league, and Luol Deng wasnt healthy enough last season for any smart GM to make a move on.

I gotta get ready for work, but our crappy GM situation really makes me worry about July 1st.

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Easiest way to ensure James leaves Cleveland...

Kelvin Sampson!

http://www.cleveland.com/livingston/index.ssf/2010/06/do_cavs_really_want_a_coach_in.html

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The Onion is reporting Tim Floyd is interviewing for the Cavs job tomorrow.

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The Defender is reporting that the Cavs will interview Mike Brown for their head coaching job.

When asked why they would interview the coach they just fired, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert responded "What the fuck else we gonna do? Nobody wants this goddamn job".

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The Cavs are fucked. If they lose Lebron, I wonder if they could lose their entire Franchise as well.

Cavs to Seattle? St. Louis? Vegas?

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I just hope JR doesn't bring LJ to Gibson's for dinner and get joined by the Pappster. That motley crew killed any desire T-Mac may have had to play here.

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"It's not exactly a rocket surgery." D.J.

Does this help the Bulls? My guess is it does. I don't believe Chicago could have put on the same show as NY and Miami. In some ways it may help the Cavs too.



All the elaborate recruiting plans for LeBron James will have to change. James will not go on a recruiting tour, his longtime business manager Maverick Carter told ESPN.com Friday.


"LeBron is not going on a tour," Carter said. "He never planned to go on a tour and has not been a part of any team's plans for a recruiting trip."

Instead, the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar will visit with individual clubs at a neutral site once the free-agency period begins July 1.

James' decision throws a monkey wrench in the plans of several clubs that hoped to sell him on non-basketball-related enticements such as the vibrancy of their city, the social life it may afford or the A-list celebrities that support their teams.

James, the most coveted player in this historic free-agent class, wants the focus to be on basketball and doesn't want it to turn into a spectacle.

Clubs were made aware of James' decision on Wednesday and many went into scramble mode. The New York Knicks, who were planning a spectacular, celebrity-laden dinner cooked by a world-renowned chef for James on July 1, quickly cancelled it and held an emergency Plan B, according to two sources.

The Knicks, who also planned to give James a tour of New York City, are going ahead with plans to bring Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on visits to New York, according to sources, but they will have to meet with their top target, James, on neutral turf.

It is not known where James will meet with clubs, but Carter said it will not be at James' home in suburban Akron.

James has already met with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who traveled to Akron last week along with members of Cleveland's front office to visit the All-Star forward. On Thursday, general manager Chris Grant refused to characterize the team's discussions with James.

"We're a family here," Grant said.

There's a chance the Cavs will meet with James again before he hits the open market, Grant said. Cleveland can offer James up to $30 million more than any other team on a maximum-length contract.

James has not given any indication which way he's leaning. He has spent his entire career with the Cavs, who were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by Boston. James has said winning is the most important factor in choosing his next team.

Grant wouldn't divulge any special plans by the Cavs to woo James.

"We have a plan and we will execute it," he said

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It leads me to believe that he has basically made up his mind and is just going to go through a few hoops before making his decision official.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Which team is he going to interview to meet the Rooney Rule requirements, Pacers?

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I tend to agree but know the attention whore he is I'm sure a billboard could make him change his mind.

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Could Bosh follow Sam Mitchell to NJ? Will LeBron end up signing with the Knicks or Nets since he is meeting with them first?

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@audioidkid

lebron and bosh to the bulls is what makes the most sense anyway. and as judge judy would say "whatever makes sense is probably true."

i think cleaveland is about to spiral down to rockford levels.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

I still think LBJ and Dirk Diggler would be the ideal situation, but Ill take Bosh. If this is our gift as fans for sticking it out the last 12 years then I think it was worth it.

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