Drew's run as Cavs coach could be nearing end

CLEVELAND (AP) — Larry Drew guided the Cavaliers through a stormy season sprinkled with injuries, losing streaks and NBA lottery dreams.

The 61-year-old coach skillfully managed a constantly changing team, encouraged his young players while maintaining an enjoyable and focused environment, and significantly contributed to the surprising development of rookie guard Collin Sexton.

Players and peers widely respected Drew for his achievements.

Nonetheless, another season might not be granted to him.

Drew stated on Sunday that he hasn’t discussed his future with Cleveland’s front office. There’s a prevailing belief within the team that he will coach his last game on Tuesday, when the Cavaliers play their final season match against the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets need to defeat both Cleveland and Orlando to have any shot at the postseason.

The Cavaliers’ hopes and their four-year Finals streak came to an end last July when LeBron James decided to choose Los Angeles for his next career move.

While Drew’s tenure with the Cavs is probably nearing its end, the appreciation for him still persists.

“Kevin Love, the star forward who was restricted to 22 games due to toe surgery and other injuries, praised his performance. He said, ‘He did an incredible job, particularly considering the number of injuries we dealt with. I wouldn’t call it chaos, but the start was challenging.’ Love added, ‘From the moment he took charge, he got us to play with intense effort and I believe that persisted throughout.'”

We’ve always paid meticulous attention to detail in our practices and shootarounds, maintaining utmost professionalism, and I’ve consistently supported and respected LD. Regardless of whether he remains with us next year, I believe he will continue to make a significant impact, be it in our team or another organization.

“He’s been involved for 40 years and still has much to contribute.”

Before the Cavaliers’ ninth consecutive loss to San Antonio on Sunday, which brought their score down to 19-62, Drew stated that he hasn’t had any discussions about his future with the team. He added, “we’ve decided to wait until the season ends completely before discussing that.”

This season, the Cavaliers had a poor road record of 6-35. Their performance will land them among the three teams with the worst records in the league, alongside Phoenix and New York. In the upcoming lottery next month, they have a 14 percent chance of winning, which would give them the opportunity to select Duke’s Zion Williamson.

In October, Drew took over a chaotic situation when the Cavaliers dismissed Tyronn Lue, the only coach to have led a Cleveland team to a championship in the past 54 years, following a 0-6 start. Amidst this turbulence, Drew expressed his desire for stability and rejected the “interim” coach label, demanding some form of assurance.

A nine-day standoff took place awkwardly, where the Cavaliers revised Drew’s contract, which included a raise and a team option for the upcoming season. If the Cavs opt to pursue a different path, Drew will receive a buyout payment.

After resolving the contract issue, Drew started work and has maintained a steady pace. Although their record doesn’t show it, the Cavaliers have been largely competitive, even though they’ve spent much of the season without Love, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith. These three were crucial members of the club’s 2016 championship team.

Sexton managed to overcome a difficult beginning and flourished, while Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson all made improvements.

The journey has been difficult, but the calming presence of Drew has alleviated the discomfort.

“Before Sunday’s game, Drew said, ‘I always emphasize to our players that sometimes we endure experiences that ultimately shape who we become. Life is a balance of the good and the bad, the bitter and the sweet. Things may not always go as planned, yet we must learn to navigate through difficult and challenging times, and confront adversity head-on.”

The actions that bolster your strength are evident in our team. They’ve consistently shown great professionalism and commitment, giving their all each night. Even though we may not excel in each game, we always strive to play hard. I commend our team for managing this so well.