[15thRegionSlamaBamma]

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have fired Mike Brown, the team announced Monday morning.

The Cavaliers had a midnight deadline Sunday night to fire the head coach or pay him his full $4.5 million salary for next season.

Cleveland was ousted from the playoffs two weeks ago by the Boston Celtics, who upset the NBA's top regular-season team in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5213917"]Cleveland Cavaliers fire head coach Mike Brown after 5 seasons, no NBA titles - ESPN@@AMEPARAM@@http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5152416@@AMEPARAM@@5152416[/ame]

Does this now leave the door open for Cal and save Lebron as a Cav? Interesting scenerio in this situation now, I personally did not think they would fire Brown but looks like they are looking to making a coaching change that will hopefully keep James as a Cav.

[Ballers]

I believe they have already fired him as of now, per ESPN.

[Stardust]

It's been reported all morning on on the radio by both Fox Sports and ESPN

[Stardust]

Of course, the rumors are running rampant on who the next coach will be with Cal in the mix. Looks like most insiders believe it will be Van Gundy

[theVILLE]

Best thing I have saw all day long! Brown was a great coach until the playoffs

[TidesHoss32]

I honestly dont understand the NBA's fascination with Calipari. The guy is 40 games below .500 for his NBA coaching career. There are literally hundreds of coaches out there that are just plain better at the game. Why not go after Larry Brown? Anybody. I know LeBron loves Cal, but he wont win a championship with him.

[Aslan]

This has been expected since they got bounced out of the playoffs. I think it's a good call by the Cavs, he didn't get the job done.