CLEVELAND - Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry has told Pro Basketball News that reports of turmoil in the Cavaliers' front office and coach Mike Brown's job being in jeopardy are not true.

Ferry sent an e-mail that stated PBN's report "is inaccurate." Another key member of the Cavs' front office, who refused to be named, said that PBN's sources for the story "are telling terrible lies."

The Cavs' front office has reportedly been in disarray since the team was bounced by Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals -- despite finishing with a league-best record of 66-16 and possessing NBA MVP LeBron James.

Some key members of the organization feel Brown was badly out-coached by Orlando's Stan Van Gundy, according to the sources. One source said Cavs management wasn't only disappointed in the losses, "but equally disappointed in the (two) wins" in a series that went six games.

One of the Cavs' victories came on a remarkable last-second 3-pointer by James at the buzzer, another when the offense consisted of James getting the ball at the top of the key and pretty much going one-on-one against the entire Magic defense. In all three home games, the Cavs surrendered leads of at least 16 points, including advantages of more than 20 points on two occasions.

None of the sources would allow their names to be used, and only one agreed to be quoted.

The latter referred to Brown's game plan as "junk," and used that word several times to describe the offensive philosophy in Game 5 of the East finals -- a 112-102 Cavs victory.

Another source who refused to be quoted implied Brown doesn't know how or simply is not willing to open up his offense despite having weapons like James and Mo Williams, and to a lesser degree, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West.

Three sources contacted by PBN agreed that the Cavs' offense ran smoothly at the beginning of the season, but too often lacked ball movement and cohesiveness against elite teams such as Orlando, Boston and the L.A. Lakers. The Cavs finished a combined 5-9 against those three (including the playoffs). They went 3-6 against the Magic -- with all three wins coming down to the final minute, or in the case of Game 3 of the East finals, the final shot.

Brown's forte has always been defense, "but when the defense wasn't working against Orlando, he had no idea how to put pressure on them (with offense)," one source said.

Yet another source -- who did not express an opinion on Brown's coaching ability and also refused to be quoted -- said Brown turned over the offense to assistant coach John Kuester early in the season, but may have taken back control later in the year. No specific reason was given for such a possibility.

That source also indicated there is a faction in the front office, but refused to go into detail. It is believed owner Dan Gilbert is among those who thinks the Cavs need an upgrade in the coaching department, while general manager Danny Ferry is standing strongly behind Brown.

Interestingly, Gilbert hired Brown several weeks before Ferry was named GM in 2005.

The New York Daily News speculated the Cavs may have an interest in former Lakers and Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, currently president of the Heat. Riley won five championships with the Lakers in the 1980s, and led the Heat to a title in 2006. He also guided New York to the Finals in 1994.

"If Cavs owner Dan Gilbert were to decide to make a big, bold coaching move, that would certainly enhance the club's chances of re-signing LeBron James," wrote Daily News NBA reporter Frank Isola.

Isola added, "It would cost Gilbert a King's ransom to pry Riley away from South Beach but think about the money Gilbert would make the in the next five years. More importantly, it would ensure the club of re-signing LeBron. (We all know Riley isn't coming unless he is certain that LeBron is staying.) The same would be true if Phil Jackson or Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, who coached LeBron at the Olympics, joined the Cavs' bench."

Gilbert contacted Jackson before hiring Brown, but the current Lakers' coach was not interested in the job. Gilbert was also said to be pursuing current Charlotte coach Larry Brown for a dual role as coach and GM in 2005.

In four seasons with the Cavs, Mike Brown has compiled a 211-117 regular-season record (.643) and 36-24 mark (.600) in the playoffs. He led the Cavs to the Finals in 2007, where they were swept by San Antonio.

One source said some Cavs' decision-makers privately believe the team should have won at least one title by now, and that while Brown has implemented a good system, he "is not a good game coach, especially at making in-game (adjustments)."

Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.