ProBasketballNews.com, an Ohio-based Web site, reported the Cavs' front office was in "disarray" and considering firing Brown following the Eastern Conference finals loss to the Orlando Magic. The story ended up dovetailing with a blog on the New York Daily News' Web site that said there were reports of "infighting" within the Cavs' front office over Brown's job and suggested the team should pursue Miami Heat President and coaching Hall of Famer Pat Riley to replace him.

The centerpiece of the position was Brown's strategies and lineup adjustments were never able to overcome the matchup advantages the Magic had over the Cavs.

Within hours, the reports over Brown's future were being featured on national talk shows and being spread virally on blogs as Thursday's news cycle heated up.

It left the team's management to vehemently protest the accuracy of the reports.

It resulted in a trail of denials all the way to Florida.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday that Riley - who is a part-owner of the Heat and has total control all personnel matters - has not been contacted by any team to unretire from coaching.

All of which was a fresh reminder of just how rocky the next 12 months could be with LeBron James' contract with the Cavs heading into its final season. Everything with the Cavs and how it impacts James' future will be magnified, no matter the validity of the source.

Already this week there were erroneous reports spread on the Internet about the Cavs having illegal negotiations with Detroit Pistons free-agent forward Rasheed Wallace and a false trade rumor involving Los Angeles Clippers forward Zach Randolph. There surely are plenty more to come, and diagnosing what is truth, what is fiction and what is politics is going to be difficult for Cavs fans and the team itself.

As for Brown, multiple sources confirmed the team's process of self-evaluation came up with several issues during the season, including some decisions Brown made or didn't make in the conference finals. Brown never has been afraid to grade himself or to attempt to improve.

Mistakes and shortcomings in the series loss to the Magic are making up a significant part of the team's off-season plan, not just in changes to the roster but also to strategies for next season.

With James' contract issue, everyone in the organization likely will face a higher level of scrutiny and pressure for next season. Brown certainly is at the forefront of that as well.

Nonetheless, Brown owns the backing of General Manager Danny Ferry, team owner Dan Gilbert and James, who credits his vast improvement on defense and the team's postseason success directly to Brown.

Brown also has two years and more than $8 million left on a contract extension he signed in 2007.

Brown is already the most successful coach in team history. He owns a regular-season record of 211-117, a playoff record of 36-24 and has won seven of the 11 playoff series he's coached with the Cavs.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166