Brown's Rebound: Back in Cleveland, coach Mike Brown returns to lead Cavs from NBA darkness

Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach Mike Brown instructs his team against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of an NBA preseason basketball game Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, left, drives the baseline against Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner during the third quarter of an NBA preseason basketball game Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. The Cavaliers beat the 76ers 104-93. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND – He was fired in the early days of that infamous summer three years ago when a 'Decision' changed everything for the Cavaliers.

Now, after a short, tumultuous stay in Los Angeles, the bald, bespectacled, defensive-minded coach often criticized for his stagnant offense, has returned to lead Cleveland out of the NBA's darkness.

Mike Brown is back.

Is LeBron James next?

Dismissed in 2010 by owner Dan Gilbert after the Cavs were eliminated in the playoffs, Brown inherits a team similar to the one he had in 2005, when James blossomed into a superstar and Cleveland won 50 games to get back into the postseason for the first time since 1998.

Since Brown left, the Cavs have lost 166 games.