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Cavs 06-07 season thread

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ABJ

Cavaliers gameday

Brown still seeks advice from former boss

Cavaliers coach listens to Spurs' Popovich, who didn't like celebration

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

SAN ANTONIO - A few dizzying hours after the Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards in Game 6 to clinch an opening-round playoff series victory last spring, coach Mike Brown checked the voice mail on his cell phone.
A few beeps in, he heard a familiar number.
He settled in for what he expected would be a congratulatory message form his former boss and mentor, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
``I thought I was getting some props,'' Brown recalled Friday.
Instead, he got a tongue-lashing. It seemed Popovich wasn't too pleased that he'd seen Brown run out on the floor to rejoice with his players after Damon Jones' winning jumper.
``The message said `You better not jump on that dog pile,' '' Brown said.
Popovich, as is his gruff style, is often quick with harsh advice for Brown.
But the Cavs coach relies on Popovich often, calling him frequently for guidance.
``When the stuff gets thick and I need to turn to somebody, it's Pop,'' Brown said.
``I'm waiting for him to say quit it.''
From the locker room
Damon Jones has debuted his new celebratory 3-point hand signal for this season. Last year, it was three fingers over the top of his other palm, which he dubbed: ``3 on a platter.'' This year, his shtick is taking three fingers on his right hand and making a twisting motion at his waist: ``It's turning on the faucet, and the jumpers are going to start raining,'' Jones said.... Larry Hughes has been showing off new tattoos. The most noticeable wraps around his lower neck and says ``Mama's Boys,'' with his name and his late brother Justin's on either side. He also has one on his wrist that he got with his friends. It reads ``Blood Brothers.'' During last season's playoffs, he had two teardrops put under his left eye after his brother's death. ``I don't know how many (tattoos) I have now,'' Hughes said. ``I just tell people 20 and leave it at that.''
From the coach's office
Brown altered his roster before Friday's game. He put rookie Shannon Brown on the active roster in place of Ira Newble, who joined Daniel Gibson and Dwayne Jones as inactives.
``There's a good chance Shannon could stay on the active roster for a while. We'll see,'' Mike Brown said. ``He's shown some promise.''
In the news
The Cavs are suggesting fans arrive early for Tuesday's LeBron James bobblehead giveaway.... The Cavs are offering discounted tickets for five games to students, members of the military and senior citizens. More information is available at www.cavs.com.
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Canton

Cavs break Spurs drought

Saturday, November 4, 2006

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer



SAN ANTONIO

LeBron James dunked over Tim Duncan with a snarl, an early statement of a rugged night. And by the time it was over, the Cleveland Cavaliers got out of San Antonio with their first win in the Alamo City since 1988.
James scored 35 points, hitting a key layup and free throw late in the fourth to help snuff a San Antonio rally and lead the Cavaliers to an 88-81 victory Friday night.
?I was 4 years old the last time we beat San Antonio,? in the Spurs? hometown, James said. ?I think for us to become one of the powerhouses which we?ve been preaching, we?ve got to go out there and walk the walk.?
But James? night wasn?t as easy as it might have looked when he powered over Duncan for the early slam and scored 15 points in the first quarter.
The Spurs, one of the most dominant home court teams in the NBA, slashed a 13-point deficit in the fourth down to 4 and might have won if not for a dismal 18-of-34 effort shooting free throws.
?I wish I had a nickel for every time somebody asked me if free throws are a concern,? Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said. They have ?always been an Achilles? heel.?
Duncan finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds and scored 14 points in a five-minute span to spark the rally. But he struggled badly from the line, going 9-of-19.
?I?ve shot a million free throws over the summer,? Duncan said. ?But it?s nothing like actually getting in a game, banging around and then having to calm yourself down.?
James, who missed five consecutive shots in the Spurs? rally, hit the layup, then made one of two free throws for an 86-79 lead with 42 seconds left. His outlet pass for a dunk by Larry Hughes, who had 18 points, finished it off.
?We showed poise down the stretch,? James said. ?They made a run and we were able to withstand it.?
James, who scored 44 points in a game against the Spurs last season, started strong Friday night against Spurs defensive specialist Bruce Bowen.
The Spurs managed to quiet James in the second quarter, holding him to 4 points, but couldn?t find an offensive rhythm to take the lead. Duncan and spark-plug guard Tony Parker were mostly quiet, combining for 10 points.
Cavaliers 88, Spurs 81
FG FT Reb
CLEVELAND Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS
James 41:53 14-26 6-11 1-10 4 3 35
Gooden 29:18 3-6 3-3 2-9 1 3 9
Ilgauskas 27:40 4-9 2-5 2-11 1 6 10
Hughes 38:46 6-15 5-6 0-4 2 5 18
Snow 24:42 0-3 0-0 0-2 6 3 0
DaJones 23:47 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 0 2
Marshall 18:18 3-6 0-2 0-3 0 2 8
Varejao 18:46 1-2 1-2 1-5 2 3 3
Wesley 13:54 1-3 1-1 0-2 0 2 3
Pollard 1:56 0-2 0-0 2-2 0 2 0
Pavlovic 1:00 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Totals 240 33-74 18-30 8-49 16 29 88
Percentages FG .446, FT .600.
3-point goals 4-9, .444 (Marshall 2-3, James 1-2, Hughes 1-4).
Team rebounds 7. Team turnovers 12 (7 pts).
Blocked shots 5 (Gooden, Ilgauskas, James, Marshall, Varejao).
Turnovers 11 (Hughes 4, James 2, Varejao 2, Gooden, Ilgauskas, Snow).
Steals 6 (Gooden 2, Hughes 2, James, Marshall).
Flagrant fouls Marshall, 2:18 third.
FG FT Reb
SAN ANTONIO Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS
Bowen 37:54 1-5 0-0 0-1 3 2 2
Duncan 38:43 8-14 9-19 1-12 5 3 25
Oberto 19:27 2-2 0-0 2-6 0 4 4
Ginobili 30:43 5-11 1-3 0-4 1 3 14
Parker 35:17 8-16 5-8 0-5 5 0 21
Finley 18:55 1-7 1-2 0-1 1 0 4
Elson 14:32 2-3 0-0 0-2 0 4 4
Udrih 12:43 2-7 0-0 0-0 0 1 5
Horry 19:56 0-4 0-0 2-8 0 5 0
Barry 11:50 0-0 2-2 0-1 1 2 2
Totals 240 29-69 18-34 5-40 16 24 81
Percentages FG .420, FT .529.
3-point goals 5-15, .333 (Ginobili 3-7, Udrih 1-2, Finley 1-3, Horry 0-3).
Team rebounds 13. Team turnovers 13 (17 pts).
Blocked shots 2 (Duncan, Ginobili).
Turnovers 12 (Duncan 5, Ginobili 3, Parker 3, Horry).
Steals 2 (Bowen, Udrih).
Cleveland 23 20 19 26 ? 88 San Antonio 18 18 20 25 ? 81
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MorningJournal

Cavs try following the leader

BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer

11/04/2006

SAN ANTONIO -- The Cavaliers are trying to become San Antonio East.


They are mirroring everything good about the Spurs, from Danny Ferry on down to the video coordinators.

Is that flattering to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich?

''It (hacks) me off,'' he said.

''Just teasing ... just teaching. Basketball is basketball. I do things I took from other people. A lot of the things I do came from Hank Egan. Coaches learn things from other people. If Mike (Brown) learned something here that he took with him, great.''

Of course, Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry, coach Brown, Cavaliers assistant GM Lance Blanks and assistant coach Egan all worked for the man they call Pop.

''We have an organization that works, that's for sure,'' Popovich said. ''Danny and Mike were a big part of that.''

The Spurs coach/executive vice president of basketball operations played under Egan at the Air Force Academy and later coached under him. He then added Egan to his staff in San Antonio.

''I still do practice plans from things I learned from Hank,'' he said. ''I was with him for six years and we argued basketball for six years. I value practice plans more than anything I do. I get a charge out of that.''

He said it's a bit frustrating that the more successful a team becomes, the more good people it loses.

''The last two film guys we had are now in Detroit and Cleveland,'' he said. ''It's tough to find guys. It is difficult.''

LBJ bobblehead

One of the most popular promotional giveaways of the Cavaliers' season -- the LeBron James bobblehead -- will be given away at the Atlanta game Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena.

Every fan with a ticket to the game will receive a bobblehead. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. tip off.

This season the James bobblehead will feature him in the orange retro uniform from the Cavaliers' 1986-87 season. The Cavaliers will wear the orange uniforms for six games this year, starting with Dec. 6 against Toronto.

White added

The Spurs signed swingman James White. He was a second-round pick of Indiana this year from the University of Cincinnati. The Pacers waived him last week.

''The word is he's a freaky athlete,'' Popovich said. ''We'll have to see if he can become an NBA player. Indiana liked him. At least he has something to work with. We'll see what kind of work ethic and drive he has. He knows what the deal is before coming here.''

Discount tickets

The Cavaliers are offering high school and college students, along with U.S. military personnel and senior citizens, a special discount for five selected games at The Q this season. With proper identification, these fans can purchase a $35 ticket for only $25 or a $25 ticket for only $15. The special discount (two tickets per I.D.) can be purchased at the Quicken Loans Arena Box Office or Ticketmaster outlets. The first game offered is Nov. 15 against Portland.

[email protected]
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crazybuckfan40;652160; said:
Honestly I wouldnt say that we stole this game.

We beat them in every facet of the game. The only place we struggled was against Duncan down the stretch when he was going to work.

It was great to see LBJ have a great game, and even tho he struggled a little in the 4th the rest of the team stepped up and held onto the lead.

The free throw shooting was still bad, but it will improve, at least I hope.

Also I think that we might have LBJ's best dunk ever in tonites game. He went right over Duncan much in the way he did DJones, but Duncan is 7'. It was awesome.

Gosh I hope that Larry can just stay healthy. He has 2 games down and 100+ to go.:biggrin:

I am a little dissapointed we are not seeing Brown. It seems that Mike Brown doesnt like to go with rookies, but give him a little time in a big game to get his feet wet. Nothing better than throwing them in the fire. I have no problem with a couple bad plays here and there, but just don't leave him in in crunch time. He isnt going to get better sitting on the bench and we will be able to use him down the stretch of the season and these games are the ones we need him to get valuable minutes.
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I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the Cavs "stole" that game in the sense that they didn't deserve to win this. I meant it in the sense that when any objective impartial observer would've looked at this game on the schedule, they wouldn't have chalked it up for the Cavs as a game they're "supposed" to win. I didn't see that game, so I don't really know how well the team played. It's just that until the Cavs prove they can win against top teams in their arenas on a somewhat regular basis, I think it's fair to consider winning in San Antonio "stealing a win". Hopefully I'll get to look back on this game and this statement at the end of the season and be wrong.
 
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jlb1705;653134; said:
I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the Cavs "stole" that game in the sense that they didn't deserve to win this. I meant it in the sense that when any objective impartial observer would've looked at this game on the schedule, they wouldn't have chalked it up for the Cavs as a game they're "supposed" to win. I didn't see that game, so I don't really know how well the team played. It's just that until the Cavs prove they can win against top teams in their arenas on a somewhat regular basis, I think it's fair to consider winning in San Antonio "stealing a win". Hopefully I'll get to look back on this game and this statement at the end of the season and be wrong.
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Gotcha...I just think that we will be there sooner rather than later.

I still can't believe we lost to the stinkin' bobcats tonite.:!
 
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ABJ

Cavs forget to play while Bobcats win

Even LeBron has a bad night as team lacks effort at Charlotte

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - This weekend the Cavaliers got an ``A'' for poise, but an ``F'' for focus.
A night after scoring a major victory by keeping their emotions under control in San Antonio, the Cavs gave it right back after a hapless and lackadaisical effort led to a humbling 92-88 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night.
Surely it was a back-to-back and a rough one, the long flight and time change meant the Cavs (2-1) didn't arrive at their hotel in Charlotte until nearly 4 a.m. Saturday. So physical fatigue was understandable, but the Cavs' effort had so many more flaws than that excuse could cover.
The blame for this one starts where the credit usually goes, to LeBron James. The Cavs' star was lethargic from the start and played perhaps one of the most detached games of his four-year career.
He was just 3-of-13 from the field and had 16 points -- though he did have nine rebounds and seven assists -- but it wasn't that it was just a bad shooting night. It appeared to be a poor effort night.
James went huge sections of the game without even showing a hint of aggression. At one point, he went 20 minutes between baskets. The Cavs were trailing in the fourth quarter, but James didn't attempt his first shot of the quarter until there was 2:18 left.
When he did shoot, it was usually an off-balance jumper. Gone was his usual vision and drive, which was in top form when he scored 35 points Friday against the Spurs.
Occasionally the Bobcats threw double teams his way, which forced him to pass. But he was guarded the entire second quarter by rookie Adam Morrison, who is not only a rookie but also known for relatively weak defense. Add to it that the Bobcats' entire front line was in foul trouble -- the starting forwards and center all eventually fouled out -- and it was a wonder why James was content to hang out on the perimeter and pass.
``This is something we have to grow from,'' James said. ``I felt like there were no cracks; at the end of the offense (plays) it sort of broke down.''
He's right that there was more blame to go around. After jumping out to an early 12-point lead, as was expected, the offense consisted of lots of dribbling and lots of long shots.
In all, the Cavs hoisted up 23 3-point attempts and made just five. Compare that to Friday night's big win, when they tried just nine in their efficient victory over the Spurs. Result: 38 percent shooting and just 60 points in the final three quarters to go with 19 turnovers for the game.
Only Drew Gooden seemed to be on. He had 21 points and 16 rebounds. He also took the most shots for the Cavs (14), which is remarkable because they don't actually run many plays for him.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had seven turnovers, Larry Hughes shot 4-of-12, Damon Jones was 1-of-7 and the Cavs missed 13 free throws and had just 14 assists.
``We thought it was going to be a good old fun night out there,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``It came down to them wanting it more than us.''
The Bobcats were hardly world-beaters. After all they were on a back-to-back, as well. But they sure looked like they wanted to win more.
Raymond Felton had 23 points and six assists, hitting 4-of-6 3-pointers for the Bobcats (1-2). Sean May had 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
``We haven't arrived,'' Brown said. ``We still have a long way to go.''
Dribbles
It was the Cavs' first loss to the Bobcats. They had been 7-0.... The 19,147 fans set an attendance record for the Bobcats.... The Cavs won the rebound battle 46-34 and have outrebounded their opponents 108-86 in the first three games.
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ABJ

Cavaliers gameday

Varejao sprain `no big deal'

Ankle sore, player says. How 'bout those rides

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The frantic style at which Anderson Varejao plays often leaves him susceptible to injury.
He missed chunks of his first two seasons in the league with injuries suffered while chasing down loose balls. So he might've dodged a bullet after the sprained left ankle he suffered Friday night turned out to be mild.
Varejao landed on LeBron James' foot while trying to guard the Spurs' Tim Duncan in the fourth quarter. He briefly had to leave the game but later returned. The ankle responded to treatment and didn't swell up overnight, so he was able to play Saturday.
``It's fine, it is no big deal,'' Varejao said. ``It will be sore, but I will be able to play.''
From the locker room
Some Cavs are still buzzing about the pregame introduction video that debuted last Wednesday, which featured players arriving at Quicken Loans Arena in their various high-priced sedans. The footage was shot three weeks ago and the players all brought in their favorite rides for the occasion. Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and James were taped emerging from their Maybachs (MSRP: $386,000) and Drew Gooden had his Rolls Royce Phantom (MSRP: $328,000).
Then there was Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who said he felt a bit bashful emerging from the driver's side of his Denali SUV (MSRP: $50,000).
``I was the only guy who didn't have a driver,'' Ilgauskas said. ``But my wife made me shine my shoes and get it washed so I would look good.''
In the news
San Antonio Express-News columnist Buck Harvey on LeBron James after seeing his latest series of Nike commercials: ``LeBron proved he's clearly better than Michael Jordan. At acting.''
From the coaches'
office
Cavs coach Mike Brown on the difference between his team and the Spurs: ``We have to earn our stripes. San Antonio has stripes down both arms, both legs, the back and front of their heads.''... On Friday in San Antonio, the Spurs' accidentally listed Cavs assistant coach Mike Malone as Michael Moore -- as in the film producer -- in the game notes. On Saturday, Cavs equipment manager Mark Cashman hung a sign in the coaches' office that read: ``Bobcats welcome Michael Moore.''
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MorningJournal

No respect leads to Cavs loss Lowly Bobcats beat Cavaliers for first time ever, 92-88

BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer

11/05/2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Soul legend Aretha Franklin crooned about it in her 1968 mega-hit ''Respect.''


Unfortunately, the Cavaliers failed to take heed last night in Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

One night after recording one of their biggest regular-season wins in years, the Cavaliers lost to the Bobcats for the first time ever, 92-88.

They can use the excuse that they played the night before (so did Charlotte), had to travel halfway across the country and didn't get to their hotels until almost 4 a.m.

Big deal.

This is the NBA. Back-to-back games are a regular occurrence.

LeBron James, sensational in the huge victory over the Spurs, never got on track offensively yesterday. He didn't score in the fourth quarter until he connected on two free throws with 33.3 seconds remaining. By then, the game was decided.

Former Cavaliers coach Paul Silas was among the largest crowd in Charlotte Bobcats Arena history -- 19,147. He watched his former team lose to the Bobcats for the first time in eight meetings.

During the Cavaliers' breakfast meeting yesterday morning, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown preached about ''respect.''

He wanted his upper-echelon team to avoid a letdown to the Bobcats, who came into the game 0-2.

''Our guys can't afford to look at this team as a bunch of talented guys and say all we have to do is show up,'' Brown said before the game. ''You have to respect these guys just like any other team because they are in the NBA for some reason or another.''

Evidently, the Cavaliers were more interested in munching on their bagels.

The Bobcats took the lead for good on power forward Emeka Okafor's free throw with 10:07 left in the game, 72-71.

Their lead grew to eight points on two occasions in the final period. Scott May's block on a drive to the basket by James with 1:06 remaining was the final salvo.

''We thought we could just show up and win the ball game,'' Brown said. ''Charlotte had other plans.

''In my opinion, we didn't play with a sense of urgency. We took a ton of jump shots. We didn't drive the ball to the rim. They wanted it more than us. One thing I keep reiterating is, we have not arrived. If we think we can just show up and beat teams in this league, it will be a long season.''

The Cavaliers opened up a 12-point lead in the first half. They started to come unglued at the end of the second quarter. Forward Donyell Marshall fouled Raymond Felton almost 35 feet away from the basket. Felton was awarded three free throws, which pulled the Bobcats to within four points, 50-46.

''It was a mental error,'' Brown said. ''That was just one of many.''

It might have been the beginning of the end.

''We might have been up, but we weren't doing things the right way to be up,'' Brown said. ''That definitely didn't cause it. We were up, and I don't know how we were up.''

The Cavaliers got a major scare with 1:41 left in the game when James collided with Bobcats point guard Brevin Knight. James laid on the court motionless for a few minutes as medical personnel came to his aid.

''I got a little headache,'' he said. ''I felt like I got hit in a car accident.''

James finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. But don't confuse that with a good game. He played passively for much of the game. When he tried to turn it on in the late going, it didn't work.

Forward Drew Gooden had 21 points and 16 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Felton fired in a game-high 23 for the Bobcats, while Knight added 17 points and seven assists.

''In the first quarter, I saw signs of us breaking down,'' Brown said. ''Our defensive principals went out the door. We were 15 feet away from their 3-point shooters. That tells me we weren't ready to play.''

[email protected]
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Canton

Big rivalry with Wizards? Sort of

Sunday, November 5, 2006

cavS CORNER MIKE POPOVICH

CLEVELAND

The NBA took one look at LeBron James, another at the first-round playoff series he was involved in last season and booked the Cavaliers and Wizards for a nationally televised season opener.
As long as they continue to play tight, meaningful games, the question of whether there is a rivalry between the teams will always come up.
Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown is not ready to label it a rivalry just yet.
?It?s good for the media and good for the fans,? Brown said. ?But you talk about two teams that never made it past the second round last year. So I don?t know if that means it?s a rivalry.
?But if you want to call it one, great. I?ll just look at it as we?re playing against a good team, and we have to come out and play the right way in order to win.?
Brown has a point. No one is in a hurry to put Cavs vs. Wizards in the same class with Red Sox vs. Yankees in baseball or Browns vs. Steelers in football. Those teams compete in the same division, the cities are no more than three hours apart and there is animosity between both sets of fans.
The closest thing to a rival the Cavs have now probably is the Pistons. Detroit is the closest NBA city to Cleveland, and they both play in the Central Division.
And last season?s memorable conference semifinal likely will not be the only time the Cavs and Pistons see each other in the playoffs in the future.
FRIENDLY ADVICE
James will appear on today?s telecast of ?NBA Access? with Ahmad Rashad. The show will focus on the defending champion Miami Heat and include a feature that talks about the developing rivalry and friendship between James and Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
After the Heat lost the first two games of the finals to Dallas, James gave Wade some advice.
?I let him know that Dallas took care of business at home, which they were supposed to do. Now it?s time for you to take care of business and don?t let ?em come to Miami and win a game,? James said.
?The team responded by winning three straight games, and I told Dwyane, ?Game 6 man, close it out, don?t give ?em no life.? ?
The Heat won the series in six games. Wade was voted the series MVP.
?NBA Access? will not be shown locally.
mile high ... in d.c.?
Washington?s Gilbert Arenas hired a company that converted his house to Colorado altitude conditions. Arenas is hoping a thin-air training environment will give him more energy at the end of games.
Would James ever consider such a move?
?My stamina has been pretty good my first four years,? he said. ?But if it ever goes bad, I?ll call him and ask him.?
Arenas has a portable tent that simulates thin-air conditions. He takes it on the road.
DISCOUNT NIGHTS
The Cavs will offer a $10 discount on $25 and $35 tickets to high school and college students, military personnel and senior citizens for five selected games. A valid ID must be presented when buying tickets.
The discount nights are Nov. 15 vs. Portland, Nov. 29 vs. New York, Dec. 6 vs. Toronto, Dec. 13 vs. Charlotte and Jan. 22 vs. Orlando.
Reach Repository sports writer Mike Popovich at (330) 580-8341 or e-mail: [email protected]
popovich?s FAB 5
Throughout the season, we will rank the NBA?s top five teams each week. Here is the inaugural list that reflects results through Friday:
1, Cleveland (2-0) LeBron James was 3 years old the last time the Cavaliers won in San Antonio.
2, San Antonio (1-1) Avenged last year?s playoff loss to the Mavericks with opening night win in Dallas.
3, Miami (1-1) Looked a little more like defending champs against New Jersey after horrible loss to Chicago.
4, Dallas (0-1) Second-half rally by Spurs spoiled opener.
5, L.A. Lakers (3-0) Won their first two games without Kobe Bryant.
Down to the wire
Dating back to the playoffs, the Wizards have lost three straight games to the Cavaliers by a combined 5 points.
Washington had chances to either beat or tie Cleveland in the final seconds of Wednesday?s opener, but the Cavs held on for a 97-94 win.
?I don?t think we?re getting a complex about this team or anything like that,? Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan said. ?They?re close games.?
MIKE POPOVICH
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MorningJournal

Not quite feeling it
BOB FINNAN, Morning Journal Writer
11/07/2006


CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have missed 40 free throws in the first three games of the season. It must be the new ball.


Of course, it's absurd to blame the abysmal 60.8 percent foul shooting on the new Spalding ball. Or their 48 turnovers, for that matter.


But chatter about the new ball won't go away. Cavaliers forward LeBron James, whose opinion counts in the NBA, said he probably won't adjust to the ball.

''I don't think I ever will,'' he said. ''It's not a good basketball, in my opinion. You've been so used to playing with a leather ball for the last three years. It feels like a basketball you buy for your kids at Christmas, or something.''

James said it doesn't affect how he plays the game. However, he just doesn't get it why the league decided to mess with a staple like the old leather ball.

''If you want to change something, make our shorts shorter or our jerseys smaller and tell us how to wear wristbands,'' he said, ''you change the dress code.

''The one thing we care about is the basketball. I don't understand why would you change the one thing we agree and care about. When you change the thing we play with at every single game and in every practice, that we were comfortable with, it doesn't make sense to me at all.''

He's not alone. Several other players voiced their displeasure with the new composite ball.

''It's going to be an ongoing thing,'' Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes said. ''I haven't quite adjusted to what the ball is going to do on the rim or on the backboard just yet. That will come with time and playing with the basketball.

''There will be a lot of trial-and-error. It's definitely a different feel and a different spin off the rim and off the backboard.''

The real complaints arise when the ball gets wet. Hughes inadvertently tossed a ball into the stands in San Antonio when that happened.

''You can't grab the ball and swing through like you could before, especially with wet hands,'' he said. ''There's no telling where it will go. My ball ended up in the third row.''

Hughes reiterated that the poor free-throw shooting isn't a result of the new ball.

''We won't blame any of that on the ball,'' he said.

Power forward Drew Gooden is one of five players in the league averaging at least 14 points and 12 rebounds. He's also shooting 51.5 percent from the field. He probably shouldn't be complaining about anything right now.

''You have to get used to change,'' Gooden said. ''If they put in a new rule in the NBA, you have to get used to it. That's the way it is with the new ball.

''It's not a triangle or a square. It's still round.''
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ABJ

New role a challenge for Ilgauskas

Cavs' revamped offense has him set more screens, shoot from new places on floor. Progress is slow

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - After three games, the Cavaliers' coaching staff is concerned about how center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is adapting to the team's new offense.
One week's worth of games is too small a sample to judge, so not much meaningful can be gleaned by his stats. Nonetheless, they are off his career averages -- only 9.3 points and 3.7 turnovers a game so far this season.
Coach Mike Brown met with Ilgauskas after last weekend's back-to-back games in an attempt to encourage him. The 7-foot-3 veteran is being asked to do things he hasn't before, and his role in the primary play calls appears to be diminished from years past.
The Cavs are running fewer isolated post-ups from the left block or side pick-and-rolls, the two types of plays Ilgauskas thrived on because he can score while turning to his left and on 15- to 18-foot jumpers from the wings.
``I really haven't figured things out yet, especially where my looks are going to come from,'' Ilgauskas said. ``Coach has asked me to stay patient and work within the system, and for it to work for the team, I'm going to have to adjust.''
Some of the new plays call for Ilgauskas to set multiple screens on one play and others call for him to seal out his defender for entry lobs. During his career, he never has been asked to set so many screens. He always has been asked to get position in the post with his defender between him and the basket, not the other way around.
``What they are asking is a little tougher for a big guy,'' Ilgauskas said. ``Sometimes you have to set three or four screens within 10 seconds, and that's hard for me.''
In Saturday's loss in Charlotte, several times Ilgauskas had trouble getting in the expected position for an entry pass. He was also off target on several passes that he threw, which led to seven turnovers. Through three games, he has turned it over 11 times. Usually one of the Cavs' best percentage shooters, he's also only hitting 41 percent so far and has been taking jumpers from spots on the floor where he hasn't been comfortable in the past.
Ilgauskas has been staying after nearly every practice, putting in extra work to improve areas of his offensive game, including trying to develop a hook shot. He has practiced setting and moving off screens before receiving the ball, but he hasn't picked up some of the facets as quickly as some of his teammates have.
With the other three big men in the rotation -- Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao and Donyell Marshall -- being smaller and quicker players, the new design favors their talents more than Ilgauskas'. But the Cavs will need to find a way to get the most out of their second-leading scorer from last season. Over the first three games, they are averaging only 91 points.
``I'm confident it will come together for me,'' Ilgauskas said. ``It is just a matter of when.''
Boarding well
The one thing all the Cavs' big men are doing through the season's first week is rebounding. Averaging 48 rebounds a game, the Cavs are ranked second in the NBA.
Gooden has continued to play well after a solid preseason. He is among five players in the league averaging at least 14 points and 12 rebounds a game. LeBron James is averaging 9.7 rebounds and Ilgauskas, 8.3.
LeBron du jour
Three points from James on Monday:
? He is fine after his collision with Brevin Knight on Saturday and will be 100 percent against the Atlanta Hawks tonight.
? The loss to the Bobcats has taught him and the team they can't take anyone lightly: ``We know it is going to be tough for us to get up for those games that we know we should win. That is going to be the next step for us; we have to grow. I don't think our mind-set was right,'' he said.
? He still dislikes the new NBA ball: ``You can shorten our shorts, change our wristbands, change the dress code, but the one thing we care about is the basketball. When you start changing the thing we play with every single day, it doesn't make sense to me at all,'' James said.
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Posted on Tue, Nov. 07, 2006
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CAVALIERS SCOUTING REPORT: Hawks at Cavs

Hawks at Cavs
Tip: 7 p.m.
TV: FSN.
Radio: WAKR (1590-AM).
Records: Cavs 2-1; Hawks 1-2.
Last year: The Cavs won two of the three meetings, going 1-1 at home.
Notebook: The Cavs have won nine of the past 10 meetings with the Hawks.... After last season's 0-9 start, the Hawks have an early lead in the Southeast Division.... During the past five games with the Hawks, LeBron James is averaging 33 points on 53 percent shooting.... The Cavs have had problems dealing with the Hawks' quick guards, Tyronn Lue and Speedy Claxton.
-- Brian Windhorst​
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