Since the day Mike Brown became the 17th coach in Cavaliers history, they’ve been known as a defensive team. It’s hard to think of another word that Coach said in those first few years.

But last season, with the arrival of Mo Williams at the point, the Wine and Gold became a complete team. They were still one of – if not the – premier defensive clubs in the league. Suddenly they had the offensive weaponry to match.

This past offseason, two seismic changes occurred. One is the addition of Shaquille O'Neal – acquired on Draft Day from the Suns. Two is the subtraction of last season’s offensive coordinator, John Kuester – now the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Kuester was credited with last year’s offensive uprising. Mo made his first All-Star team and LeBron was the league’s MVP. Four starters averaged double-figures and the Cavaliers averaged just over 100 points per game.

On the other end, Cleveland’s “defensive coordinator” Mike Malone oversaw a team that ranked 1st overall in opponents points allowed, were 2nd in defensive field goal percentage and allowed opponents to shoot just .431 from the field.

The combination of the two was reflected in this simple stat: The Cavs were 38-2 when scoring more than 100 points.

This year, with “Q” coaching Cleveland’s rivals to the north, Mike Malone moves over to the offensive end. (Fellow assistant coach Melvin Hunt will take over defensive responsibilities.)

Mike Brown came to Malone over the summer, right around the time Cleveland was making the deal for Shaq, and made the pitch. Knowing that Malone had already earned league-wide respect for his defensive mind, he wanted Malone to become completely well-rounded.

All Malone had to do was figure out how to adjust the Cavaliers offense with the addition of one of the greatest low-post players in the history of the game.

Easy.

“We knew, going in, when you have a guy like Shaq, it’s going to take time,” said Malone. “We can have all the best plans in the summertime, but the repetition and the daily practice, that’s going to get us to where we need to be by the end of the season. Right now, we’re 4-3 and everyone’s wondering what’s wrong with the Cavs?”

The fifth-year assistant continued: “Our challenge and our job as coaches – and players – is to work on it every day until we get to the point that, when Shaq’s on the floor, we have the same rhythm and continuity and comfort. And trust me: if there’s one person who wants it to work out fast, it’s me.”

Malone is the son of Brendan Malone, one-time interim coach of the Cavaliers and currently an assistant with the Orlando Magic. Mike talked to his father about moving over to the offensive side, but not too much. “He’s the enemy,” smiled Mike.

The Cavaliers have never had a traditional low-post presence like O’Neal. They’ve had one of the most consistent big men in the East for years in Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but his game bears little resemblance to the Diesel’s.

“It’s so much easier to adjust and get acclimated with a guy like Mo Williams coming in,” quipped the Loyola grad. "He’s a small; we’re used to running the pick and roll. But now you’re adding a piece that not too many people have. And how do you incorporate him in your offense? You have to get him his touches in the post while keeping the other guys’ rhythm and keeping them in their comfort zone. It’s a fine line.”

Right now, Shaq’s getting plenty of touches – third on the team in attempts and scoring average at 11.1 ppg, going .540 from the floor.

“Against Washington, we kept going to him and he carried us,” said Malone in his trademark New York accent. “Against the Knicks, he only played 18 minutes. When he’s in the game, we have to give him the ball to keep the defense honest, to reward him. And you hope that when he gets off in the post, that should generate offense for other guys.”

Extremely well-respected by the Cavalier players, Malone – who also helps coach the Canadian National Team – is already getting good grades for his work with the offense.

“Mike is Mike – he’s going to be great no matter what circumstances you put him in,” praised LeBron James. “One, he has a strong voice – he can command guys to listen to him and command guys to do what needs to be done. He’s very smart; he knows the game of basketball. So, he’s going to be good not matter what – offense, defense, whatever.”

Like John Kuester before him, Malone and the Cavaliers are blessed with one of the craftiest point guards in the league. This season, after some early hiccups, Mo has returned to his normal self.

“You feel bad for Mo – here’s a guy that’s trying to get Shaq involved, he’s trying to get LeBron involved, he’s trying to run this team,” added Malone. “But Mo is also a scoring guard and he’s trying to run the team and he’s not getting his own rhythm. And Mo is at his best when the ball’s in his hands and he’s attacking and scoring. So right now, he’s trying to find his game within the context of the team.”

On Wednesday night, Mike Malone will face his father for the first time since Orlando ousted the Cavaliers from the postseason in late May. Despite taking on “the enemy,” the younger Malone frequently drops the lessons of his father. ‘Each game has its own identity.’ ‘Learn as much from your players as they do from you.’

The man definitely has coaching in his blood. You can hear it in the “voice” that LeBron spoke of. And it’s a reminder of why the Wine and Gold is one of the league’s top teams.

“This team likes to have fun, but we have to make sure that we remain a ‘work team,’” said Malone. “Sometimes we can get too cool. Sometimes we can get a little too lax, where we think we can just turn it on. Right now, we’re going through growing pains while we get Shaq incorporated. But until we get that, we can’t afford to be too cool; we can’t afford to be too laid-back.

“We have to be a ‘work team’ a ‘multiple-effort team’ because that will allow us to get through the tough stretches. We’re not going to beat every team by 20, but if we remember that we’re a multiple-effort, hard-working, defensive team – first and foremost – the offense, through repetition and time is going to get better. That’s how it happens.”

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