National Basketball Association

Cavs' new GM says Kyrie Irving not behind Mike Brown firing

Published May. 13, 2014 11:56 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Cleveland Cavaliers' general manager says All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving had nothing to do with coach Mike Brown's firing.

David Griffin was promoted from interim GM on Monday by owner Dan Gilbert. He says Irving was not consulted on Brown's future and any insinuation that he pushed to have him fired is ''patently false.''

Brown was dismissed for the second time by the Cavs, who went 33-49 this season and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. Brown previously coached the Cavs from 2005 to 2010, guiding the team to the finals in 2007.

Griffin has begun looking for a coach - Cleveland's third in three years. He did not mention any potential candidates and says there is no timetable to make a hire.