8 down..12 to go, and I feel like it's a good time to talk about the current state of the Cavaliers.  It's been 31 days since I began boycotting the ESPN and LeBron free-agent shenanigans.  There is exactly 10 days left until July 1st, the highly anticipated day where The King can sign with any team he chooses.  I'm basically exhausted from all the LeBron rumors, and I'm having a lot more fun focusing on the countdown. 

No, I won't be talking about Hometown Hero appreciation day in Akron, or the fact that the minor league Lake County Captains are adding the prefix "Le" to the team, and every players name on LeBron James Day.  It does makes sense however, to discuss the team's present and future. 

Tom Izzo was offered the Cavaliers coaching position, and respectfully declined.  Even though the money was there (6 years 30 million), he wasn't sure LeBron was going to be.  The fact that he couldn't even get in touch with James is likely the main reason he chose to stay with Michigan State.  There was a report that LeBron "fully endorsed" the attempt to hire Tom Izzo, but no one can really be sure what that even meant. 

Part of me wanted to see the MSU czar at the helm of the Cavaliers, but the more logical side of me is glad he's not going to be.  Tom Izzo has never coached a single game in the NBA.  He has no track record that you can look to, other than his impressive resume at Michigan State.   

Think about some of the college coaches who have seen little or no success in the Pro's.  Calipari and Pitino are two names that come to mind.  Highly respected coaches, no professional experience.  Both had stints in the NBA, and both are now back in college.  Being considered a good or even great college coach often does not translate into the professional ranks.  Handling grown men who make ridiculous salaries is a far cry from recruiting and managing high school players who essentially play for free.  Dan Gilbert grew up in Michigan and is probably a diehard Izzo supporter.  Considering the fact that he's the one making all the decisions for now, he wanted Tom and wasn't afraid to go after him.  Consider it an epic fail. 

There are plenty of other available coaches qualified to run the Cavaliers ship.  Personally, I don't want to see Kelvin Sampson.  My pick would be Byron Scott, who has championship-level coaching experience.  He also was a solid player, and led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 1988.  He knows what it takes to win in this league.

In 2000, he took over a terrible New Jersey team.  After struggling his first year, he succeeded in building a solid team, and took the Nets on an improbable run to the NBA Finals, eventually losing to the Lakers.  The following year, he took the same team to the Finals again, this time to lose to the San Antonio Spurs.  Byron Scott is well-respected in the league, and has the demeanor and confidence to coach a star-studded Cavaliers team.  If LeBron stays, that is.

The only way that Dan Gilbert can lure some of the other top free agents in this class is if LeBron does stay.  No one is going to want to come to Cleveland if he leaves.  That is why it is vital that he does.  This year's free agent class is pretty impressive.  With the likes of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Carlos Boozer, and Michael Redd, there's a lot of star power that is available this off-season.

There's only a few realistic options for Gilbert to pursue.  The one that makes the most sense is a sign-and-trade for Chris Bosh.  If LeBron re-signs with the Cavs, it is likely that at least one big name will follow him.  Bosh is one of the most solid centers in the league, and would play extremely well alongside LeBron.  A good friend of mine, one with insight and knowledge of The Cavaliers Organization, is fairly confident that this is a likely scenario.  He thinks Bosh will sign with Toronto, and then force a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers.  The likely pieces to be shipped out are Delonte West, Jawad Williams, possibly Varejao, and Wally Sczerbiak's contract.  The Cavs would in-turn receive Bosh and Jarrett Jack.  Pretty good deal for both teams, except for Cleveland having to include Varejao. 

The best part is, all of this could potentially go down in about 2 weeks.  If Bosh comes to Cleveland, we will already have assembled a team that is capable of winning championships for years to come.  Only, there is one piece missing.  Mo Williams is an exciting player, but he is not the point guard that this team needs to make a run, and win in the playoffs.  Historically, Mo has had solid regular seasons but let the team down in the playoffs, when we need him most.  He's not a good enough defender to handle Rajon Rondo or even Jameer Nelson.

My proposal to this solution is simple.  Get Chris Paul.  Do whatever it takes to bring him to Cleveland.  He and LeBron are best friends, and it just makes sense.  He is a top-5 point guard in the league, and like Bosh, would play extremely well alongside LeBron.  Think about that starting lineup.  Chris Paul, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, JJ Hickson, and Chris Bosh.  Granted, there are salary cap issues, and getting Bosh would essentially mean that Shaq would not be coming back.  He probably isn't anyways.       

The fate and future of the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be decided very soon.  The first piece to the puzzle is obvious.  Keep LeBron James in Cleveland.  All the other pieces will fall in to place.  I can't wait for this to play out, because I'm sick of ESPN and I'm pretty much sick of hearing about it.  LeBron will stay in Cleveland.  Who else will join?  LeBron James is Underrated