CLEVELAND — Mark Price’s basketball background is loaded with honors and awards. His head coaching resume
is a little thin.
That might not matter to the Cavaliers.
A four-time All-Star point guard during nine seasons with Cleveland, Price interviewed Tuesday with the
Cavs, who fired Mike Brown nearly a month ago and have been on a twisting search for his successor. The
quest has brought them to Price, who spent last season as an assistant in Charlotte under Steve
Clifford, who believes the 50-year-old is ready to slide into the top seat.
“Obviously we don’t want to lose him,” Clifford said. “He has done a great job here. He’s ready to be a
head coach and the fact that they called and got permission to speak with him shows how much they think
of him as a coach and it would be great if it worked out. Bad for us, but good for him.”
Price started Tuesday doing his usual routine, working with Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on his
jumper — a continuing work in progress. Afterward, Price left for Cleveland to meet with the Cavs, who
have certainly caught the attention of their fans by bringing in Price, one of the most beloved players
in franchise history.
What Price may lack in head-coaching experience — he’s only coached the Melbourne South Dragons in 2005
and Orlando’s summer league team — he makes up for with his experience as a high-caliber player, his
ability to teach and overall hoops knowledge.
There’s been a recent trend of NBA teams signing unproven coaches. The hirings of Steve Kerr in Golden
State and Derek Fisher in New York, both former point guards without extensive head coaching
backgrounds, could prompt the Cavaliers to take a shot with Price.
Price is the sixth known candidate to meet with the Cavs. The team intends to bring back Clippers
assistant coach Alvin Gentry for a second interview this week. The Cavs have also met with Clippers
assistant Tyronn Lue, Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin, former Memphis coach Lionel Hollins and former
Clippers and Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro.
Cleveland has also contacted Kentucky coach John Calipari, who signed a seven-year, $52 million contract
with the school last week.
The Cavs have not commented during the search for their third coach in three years.