Michigan State Basketball: Can we finally stop Tom Izzo to NBA talk?
After some slight panic among the fanbase, sources have confirmed Tom Izzo won’t be leaving the Michigan State basketball program for the NBA.
Back in 2010, Tom Izzo was faced with a prime opportunity. He was coming off back-to-back Final Fours with Michigan State and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers came knocking on his door with a head coaching offer which would double his salary. Simply put, Izzo would have a chance to coach one of the best players in NBA history, LeBron James, while making sure his family would never have to worry about money.
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Rumors swirled about where Izzo’s head was. At one point, sources were claiming he was leaning toward taking the Cavs’ job, but a few days later, he held a press conference, turned down the job and proclaimed he’d be a Spartan for life.
Fortunately for him, it worked out. James left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat and the Spartans have had plenty of success, albeit not many Final Fours, since that decision.
Fast forward to 2018 where Izzo is constantly under a microscope and has been facing criticism from just about everyone regarding his handling of sexual assaults involving his players over the years. If there was ever a perfect time to leave college behind and make the jump to the NBA, this is it.
The Orlando Magic reportedly expressed interest in the veteran head coach on Thursday, but that chatter was quickly shut down with one simple tweet.
Tom Izzo won't be taking the Orlando Magic head coaching job, a source tells me.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) May 24, 2018
It’s time we shut down the Izzo to the NBA talk which arises every offseason.
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When Izzo claimed he was a Spartan for life back in 2010, he meant it. He’s not ready to jump ship when faced with criticism. He stated following the season that he still has work to do and he’s not ready to leave the program the way it is.