...when the other choice was to be not rehired when his contract was due up at the end of June or get fired before that. Gilbert wanted to get the ball rolling and get a new GM and new Coach and that wasn't possible with a lame duck sitting there for most of June. He stepped down on his own terms.

Cleveland Plain Dealer...

Needless to say, Ferry usually got what he wanted. He was likely pushing for that again this time around when discussing a new contract for himself.

However, he and Gilbert were on opposite sides when it came to firing Brown. Gilbert held firm that there needed to be a change and Ferry eventually came around to agree with the decision. It was clear at that point, though, that Ferry no longer had total control of top basketball decisions.

Fresh off that event, in talking about how major decisions in the future would be handled, it was clear that Ferry and Gilbert had a disconnect. That was the breakdown that is believed to have been the root of Ferry’s decision not to seek another contract.

He consulted James on a lot of decisions and all they did together was create one of the best regular season teams that couldn't win when it counted. Why do you consult a 23-25 year old kid on how to build a championship team - that's supposed be your job!