Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry has built a strong supporting cast around star LeBron James and the team is off to its best start in franchise history. At 26-4, the team leads the Central Division by eight games and boasts the second-best record in the NBA.
Ferry, recently profiled in the News & Observer, has added Mo Williams, Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to the squad over the past year and the team is playing well together. “The biggest thing is just the chemistry that the group has amongst one another,” said head coach Mike Brown. “They like each other a ton and they want to play for one another, which makes it fun.”
LeBron is pleased with the direction the team is heading as well. The 2008 Olympic gold medalist stated, “The direction we’re headed in is everything that I expected and more.” With James’ contract expiring after the 2009-2010 season, the Cavs organization would like to sign their franchise player to an extension this summer. “After this season, I think I will consider it,” said James recently about signing a long-term deal with Cleveland amid rumors that New York is creating salary cap space to lure James to the Big Apple in 2010.
Ferry took over as Cavs GM before the 2005-06 campaign, and has since guided the team to three straight playoff appearances and the 2007 Eastern Conference championship. He said the work ethic he developed at Duke has helped him in the NBA. “The one thing that helped me most when I got to the NBA was I knew how to work — I learned what hard work was,” said Ferry. ”I had great mentors, some of the guys that came before me. It really sets the tone for the entire program — One of excellence and what it took to get there. There was a culture instilled in us where you work hard on improving and get better.”
Danny Ferry at Duke
*Years: 1985-1989
*1989 National Player of the Year
*Reached three Final Fours
*Holds ACC single-game scoring record (58 points)
*Second pick of 1989 NBA Draft
*Enjoyed 13-year NBA playing career
*Won NBA title with Spurs in 2003
Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel
