Rumors

Tomlin, 25, is certainly on the right track now as a two-way forward for the Cavaliers, 6 1/2 years removed from never playing high school basketball and going undrafted by the NBA in 2024. “What a story,” Cavaliers president Koby Altman said to Andscape. “He didn’t play [structured] basketball until college.” Tomlin is averaging 6.2 points and 3.1 assists in 36 games for the Cavaliers this season. Two-way players can play up to 50 NBA games before their team is forced to decide whether to offer a standard contract or waive them. Cleveland is expected to sign him to a standard contract, a source told Andscape.

Andscape

Tonight, Tomlin and the Cavaliers host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). “Sometimes, I can’t lie. I know it’s a blessing,” Tomlin told Andscape. “It’s a dream come true. Everything I’ve worked hard for has come to light. I’m just happy, happy to be in the moment. Can’t take it for granted.”

Andscape

Even a Hall of Fame player and highly successful NBA coach wanted to take time out of his offseason to observe Mike Tomlin in Latrobe. As usual, several Steelers alumni were on hand for Tuesday’s practice, but the biggest surprise guest was Jason Kidd, the current Dallas Mavericks head coach and one of the best point guards of all time.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“As a coach, you always want to get better, and when you talk about the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tomlin is the best,” said Kidd, who coached the Mavericks to the NBA Finals this past season.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kidd sheepishly admits he grew up a Raiders fan in the Bay Area, but he might be a “free agent” now that his childhood team is in Las Vegas. He wanted to get a firsthand look at the Steelers’ culture, which is a testament to Tomlin’s reputation.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“That 30-second clip of how the players responded to him coaching that game — it looked like a World Series Game Seven victory celebration in the locker room,” Carlisle told The Athletic in an interview about Mosley. “I see him as the basketball version of a young Mike Tomlin from the Pittsburgh Steelers: a natural leader of men who builds strong, meaningful relationships,” Carlisle added. “Players will love his energy and his enthusiasm and knowledge for the game. I just had this belief that players will not allow him to fail.”

The Athletic

Shams Charania: Sources: Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will speak at a virtual development session in front of NBA coaches on May 27 for an equality initiative.

Twitter

I feel like there have been more instances of deliberate coaches’ interference this past week than I can cumulatively remember in my career as a sports fan. Following in the un-esteemed footsteps of Jason Kidd and Mike Tomlin, Kevin McHale tried (and failed) to impede a Tim Duncan inbounds pass late in the second quarter of last night’s 112-106 Rockets win in San Antonio.

The Big Lead