Cavs 06-07 season thread

[scarletngrey11]

LOL that is a replay from last season buddy.

Shit.

Just kidding I mean.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Knee tear heard 'round the NBA

Why Willie Green's knee has some Cavs out of shape

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - ``Remember Willie Green.''
Among NBA players, that is an adage, a warning, a bit of wisdom that has become a routine exchange between players and their agents.
It has little to do with the playing skills, reputation or personality of Green, who is a Philadelphia 76ers guard, and everything with the misfortune that struck him last year. It was so profound his name now has its own meaning in the NBA lexicon.
``After what happened with Willie Green, I had to change the way I looked at things,'' Donyell Marshall said.
``You see what happened with a guy like Willie Green, it makes you be careful,'' Damon Jones said.
``We talk about Willie Green all the time, we were just talking about it today and it was on my mind all summer,'' Drew Gooden said.
These are independent thoughts in conversations about different topics, days apart from one another.
What happened to the infamous Mr. Green was torn knee ligaments in the summer of 2005. That alone is harmful enough, but what makes it memorable is that it happened after Green had agreed to a six-year contract with the 76ers but before he'd signed the deal. Of course, the big contract was off.
Always a legitimate risk, that event has put fresh fear in NBA free agents waiting to sign new contracts. Even more than before, players without signed deals are avoiding the gym in the offseason, when most players hone their skills and work out to stay in shape. That torn-up knee affected the Cavs last season. Both Marshall and Jones said they came into training camp out of their normal shape because they were trying to avoid what happened to Green when both were free agents.
Last year, a prolonged negotiation of the new collective bargaining agreement kept players from signing until nearly mid-August. Larry Hughes and Marshall agreed to deals with the Cavs in early July and had to wait a month before they could become official. The process didn't allow for Jones to sign until September.
``I wasn't going to take any chances,'' Marshall said. ``By the time I did sign, it was almost too late to get myself in the shape I wanted for training camp.''
Gooden didn't agree to his new three-year, $20 million contract with the Cavs until mid-August and didn't sign it until early September. As a result, he didn't have any on-court work all summer, save for a few days of workouts with University of Kansas players a few weeks ago.
``I didn't go up and down the floor five-on-five until I got to training camp,'' Gooden said. ``I worked out and shot, but couldn't actually risk playing.''
It isn't just a new injury to worry about, it is old injuries. Gooden said he had to undergo several physicals to get his deal done. He had extensive work done by the Cavs' doctors, then by doctors representing the company that insured his contract and by specialists checking out old injury areas.
``It isn't just Willie Green, we all remember what happened to Shareef Abdul-Rahim,'' Gooden said. ``That's why you always hope those physicals go well.''
Abdul-Rahim had a large contract with the New Jersey Nets voided last year when doctors flagged an old knee injury that hadn't bothered him for years. He eventually signed a five-year contract with the Sacramento Kings.
``I knew I was fine, but it was a relief when my agent called and told me everything was cool with the physicals,'' Gooden said.
That's why it's somewhat surprising that Gooden is off to a quick start. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the Cavs intrasquad scrimmage last week and had 16 points and six rebounds in Tuesday's preseason opener. Marshall and Jones looked good in training camp last year as well, but both said extra weight they carried may have held them back as the season went on.
Gooden appears fit, but only time will tell if the summer of relative inactivity will take a toll.
``I pride myself in taking care of my body,'' Gooden said. ``So I came in here in good shape.''
Basden waived
The Cavs made their first roster move of the season Wednesday, waiving guard Eddie Basden. He was a long shot to make the roster because the Cavs have the maximum 15 players under contract.
Basden was signed for this season, but none of his $600,000 salary was guaranteed until Nov. 1.
Part of the reason the Cavs traded for Basden, giving up forward/center Martynas Andriuskevicius in an August trade, was because they were swapping a guaranteed salary for a nonguaranteed salary.
Tait extended
Legendary Cavs radio play-by-play man Joe Tait has had his contract extended two seasons.
Tait, in his 35th season as the voice of the team, previously hinted he might retire when his current deal expired at the end of this season. But the team's upswing has led him to reconsider.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

CAVALIERS BACK AT THE Q
Tempting talk of a title run


Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Bill Livingston
Plain Dealer Columnist

The forecast was made last year -- and by the same fellow pictured above, the Nostradamus who forecast a wild-card berth for the Tribe -- that this would be the year the bondage ended. This would be the season of milk and honey, or at least of parades and champagne.
"You will be looking at next year's champions," he wrote of the Cavaliers.
Next year is now.
"We didn't mention it outside the locker room, but the goal was to win a championship last year, too," coach Mike Brown said.
This year, LeBron James is openly saying the Cavs could be chuh-chuh-champions.
"We talk about getting better every day during the season. In the playoffs, we talk about the big trophy," Brown said.
They were much closer last season than anyone realized. During the Detroit series, all barometers were rising.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas would have given Shaquille O'Neal fits in the conference finals. Larry Hughes had to get better as his heart and hand healed. The Cavs were just discovering the dimensions of the game of Sideshow Roberto, or whatever will be this season's moniker for the mop-haired, pogo-sticking Brazilian, Anderson Varejao. They were as close as the rebound they couldn't get in Game 6 against the Pistons.
The exhibition opener, a 109-93 loss to Boston Tuesday night, wasn't a particularly big deal, mainly because no one got hurt.
The Cavs ran out to begin their new season the same way they were ending the last one, with a James highlight reel.
He snapped away an errant pass 15 seconds into the game, raced downcourt and flung down a dunk. In just a jiffy, he threw a no-look, over-the-shoulder bullet pass to Drew Gooden for a layup to begin a 3-point play, looking then like a superstitious man tossing a pinch of spilled salt behind him. Then, he swished a jumper from just inside the arc. Finally, he roared in for a left-handed, fast-break layup on which he moved the ball from hand-to-hand like a guy running a three-card monte game, while the Celtics looked on, slack-jawed.
The Cavs led, 34-26, after one quarter. The rest of the night was a long visitation to the days of Lamond Murray and Darius Miles.
Such things happen because of the coach's need to look at more extras than in a Cecil B. DeMille movie. The signs were good with the players who will get plenty of minutes, particularly Larry Hughes, who was pure on the mid-range jumper his ailing finger would steer off course last year.
The starters sat out the second half. But while continuity is always a precarious thing at this time of year, energy never should be. It could be with this coach, however.
Brown vows to monitor James' minutes closely, in the wake of his exertions in the third-place finish by the USA at the World Championships this summer in Japan. James averaged 42.5 minutes, second-most in the NBA last season. "I want to keep LeBron at 40 minutes," Brown said.
This, too, is an old, unrealized goal. The temptation for both Brown and Paul Silas before him was to think James should simply never be out of a game. Victories won with a brutal work load for James are fool's gold, and Brown knows it.
"You can say he's young, and it won't affect him. But it might hurt in the playoffs, or 3-4-5 years down the road," Brown said. "I have too much respect for his career. He is a huge chunk of this franchise."
The huge chunk did not take place in night practices the first three days of camp. Yet Brown held a two-hour practice Tuesday morning before the game.
Shootarounds routinely lasted so long in The Q's upstairs practice facility last season that the players demanded they be switched to the main floor - so the visiting team, which works out closer to game time, would kick them out after an hour.
Circumstances demand we discount the lame opener. But if the Cavs are going to end the season with a victory lap, they will need their legs.
To reach Bill Livingston:
[email protected], 216-999-4672
Previous columns online:
cleveland.com/columns

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

CAVALIERS
Jackson works hard to earn time


Thursday, October 12, 2006

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

Luke Jackson has spent nearly as much time in the hospital as he has on the court during this first two years in the NBA. Two back surgeries and a broken left wrist have resulted in only 358 minutes of action but Jackson is determined to make things right this season.
"Hopefully, I've had my last surgery," Jackson said. "I re- habbed all summer. I worked my butt off every single day. I put myself in a really good place to be suc cessful."
Jackson may have put himself in a prime location but regaining the glory as one of the best Pac-10 players in recent history while at Oregon was not easy. Jackson's summer consisted of healing, going through a grueling rehab and improving his game.
"Missing so many games because of injuries is frustrating mentally and physically," said Jackson, who scored a career-high 14 points against Utah last season. "It takes a toll on you. But I'm an optimist. I didn't dwell on negative things. It was hard to get here [to the NBA] and it's another challenge when you're here."
Jackson will have several challenges during preseason. He must remain healthy so he can get playing time and once on the court, Jackson has to consistently hit the open jumper and find the open man because the speed of the NBA is much quicker than college.
Jackson was 0-for-3 from the field and had three turnovers Tuesday against Boston and he appeared slow at times.
"He needs to play, and the window of opportunity for him is not that big," said Cavs coach Mike Brown. "Because we have guys from last year that have done it and they have done it for a long period of time. I don't have a lot of time to give [a lot of players] opportunities to play to get the kinks out of their game, and that's where Luke is right now."
"Luke [and other players] will have to push the guys in front of them so they can earn their minutes," Brown said.
That's exactly what Jackson plans to do. The 6-7 guard will have to challenge veterans Damon Jones, David Wesley and rookie Shannon Brown for time. The odds are stacked against Jackson.
"I'm aware of the position I'm in and I still feel I'm effective and I'm in better shape this year than I was last year and I'm stronger," Jackson said. "I know we've got a lot of guards on this team but I'm just going to keep a positive attitude, work hard every day and try to make everyone better. If I get my opportunity, I'll make the most of it."
Jackson also is competing for his long-term future with the Cavs. The team has until Oct. 31 to pick up his fourth-year option.
Rest area:
LeBron James is not the only player the Cavs need to worry about getting some rest heading into the season. James, who was second in minutes played last season, is coming off a long summer of participating in the World Championships. The Cavs limited James' minutes in Tuesday's preseason game and coach Brown plans to reduce James' minutes during the regular season.
Anderson Varejao, who played with Brazil last summer, also is feeling the effects of playing in the World Games. "I'm a little tired," Varejao said. "For two months, I didn't take a rest. Now, I'm going to take a rest whenever I can, continue to work and get ready for the season."
Rookie level:
Playing point guard is the toughest position for a rookie breaking into the NBA. Cavs rookie Daniel Gibson, however, was often smooth in his debut Tuesday. Gibson was 3-of-6 for six points. He had two steals, one turnover and no assists.
"I'm more prepared than I probably should be because [veterans] David Wesley, Damon Jones and Eric Snow have all helped me," Gibson said. "Their knowledge has helped me learn how to play the game a lot faster, and that has made it an easier transition."
So long:
The Cavs waived guard Eddie Basden. The 6-5 guard was acquired in August from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Martynas Andriuskevicius. The NBA roster deadline is Oct. 30. Each team is allowed a maximum of 15 players.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4671

 

[buckeye247]

The Gund, (yes i still call it the Gund no Q for me) seems like it has a new court design this year. It looks ten times better than last year.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I will make my prediction right now after watching the preseason game...

If Hughes stay healthy all year we will win our divsiion and we will at least make the Conference finals if not the Finals.

Any thoughts on who makes the team??

LBJ, Snow, Gooden, Hughes, Z, Marshall, DJ, Wesley, Pollard, Brown, Wildthing, and Gibson(I hope)

 

[exhawg]

I would love to see Jackson and Pavlovic play well enough in the preseason to be worth a trade. I always hoped for the best from these 2, but I just don't think there is a place for them anymore. It would be great if the Cavs could get some value out of them. I would look to trade both of them to a team that needs players for a contract year player worth sightly less than them and a first round pick (insert yearly argument for Danny Forston here). I still think both of these guy have a future in the NBA, just someplace else.

I'm really hoping for a lot out of Shannon Brown this season, even more so if Hughes can't stay healthy again.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Veteran Cavaliers easy on rookies

First-year players Brown, Gibson know it could be much worse

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Anxious to get ready for his first NBA road trip, Shannon Brown was just steps from the door following practice Thursday when an echoing voice called him back.
``Shannon, come over here and let me holler at you for a minute,'' veteran David Wesley yelled.
Brown, the Cavaliers' first-round draft pick, perhaps feared he was about to be assigned a menial task or become the target of a joke. Instead, Wesley wanted to show him a few defensive techniques.
Typical. When it comes to rookie hazing, the Cavs are pretty lame. Other than the age-old tradition of singing Happy Birthday when required and bringing doughnuts to home shoot-arounds, the Cavs' veterans don't seem to mess much with their rookies.
No cold showers, no being taped to the basket standard, no shaving-cream pies in the face.
``I saw some stuff on NBA TV last year and I was little worried when I came in,'' second-round pick Daniel Gibson said. ``Sometimes they mess with us a little bit, but for the most part they leave us alone so I guess we're lucky.''
Hearing stories from other players and from counselors at the NBA's Rookie Transition Program held last month in New York left Gibson and Brown expecting the worst. It has been anything but.
``All the veterans have been great to us,'' Brown said. ``From the stories I've heard from other guys, I think we've maybe got some of the best veterans in the league.''
Perhaps it is the demeanor of the team captains. It is not in Eric Snow's nature to belittle anyone and he's not much of a prankster.
``As long as Eric gets his newspaper and his coffee he leaves us alone,'' Gibson said.
As for LeBron James, he isn't looking to make up for any mistreatment he took as a rookie. Other than having to carry bags occasionally on the road, James' status led his older teammates to pretty much leave him alone when he came into the league three years ago.
Not that everything has been smooth thus far for Brown and Gibson.
``This is a big transition, going from being team leaders and getting a lot of playing time to sitting on the bench and waiting your turn,'' Brown said. ``Anybody who says it isn't is lying.''
Of course, the plan could be to lure the rookies into a false sense of security.
``It is tradition to mess with the rookies,'' Gibson said. ``Hopefully they're not plotting something big.''
Round 2
The Cavs get another shot at the Boston Celtics, who beat them 109-93 in Tuesday's preseason opener, tonight at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. The Cavs had two hard practices following the loss, including a three-hour session on Wednesday that included an hour of film work. Coach Mike Brown said he may change some of his rotations for this meeting and might play his starters a little in the second half. LeBron James isn't expected to see many minutes and there's a chance he won't play at all. He will likely sit out one game this weekend. The Cavs host the Washington Wizards Saturday.
``We've tweaked some stuff offensively and they've grasped it,'' Mike Brown said. ``We need to clean up some defensively, especially limiting offensive rebounds.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at [email protected].

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

Tait stays at Cavs microphone
Friday, October 13, 2006 [FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Mike Popovich REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]


The voice synonymous with Cavaliers basketball will be heard for at least a few more years.
Joe Tait and the Cavs have agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him as the team's radio play-by-play announcer through the 2008-09 season. Tait is beginning his 35th season with the team this year.
"I am delighted to know that I am continuing my long association with the Cleveland Cavaliers and sincerely hope that the future holds not one, but several more years," Tait said in a statement.
Tait's current contract was to expire at the end of the season. During an appearance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club last spring, he said he did not know how long he would stay on, but added he would like to see a championship.
Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert hopes Tait sees more than one.
"As long as Joe Tait can and wants to call Cavalier games, he will be the voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers," Gilbert said. "We believe that all of Ohio and beyond will want to hear Joe Tait call the game when we win our first championship and the ones after that."
Tait began calling Cavs games in 1970 and has been with the team every year with the exception of a two-year absence in the early 1980s. His play-by-play is accompanied with popular phrases such as "Wham with the right hand!" and "Three ball ... Got it!"
A seven-time Ohio Sportscaster of the Year and a member of several halls of fame, Tait also broadcast Indians baseball for 16 years. He also is the television voice of Mount Union college football. Reach Repository sports writer Mike Popovich at (330) 580-8341 or e-mail: [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Finally ready, willing and able

Healthy Newble eager for duty


Friday, October 13, 2006

Branson Wright

Plain Dealer Reporter

While the Cavaliers and their fans were enjoying the team's success in last season's playoffs, Ira Newble was essentially a frustrated spectator.
Consider the missed rebound opportunities at the end of Game 6 during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pis tons. That se ries possibly could have been won with a timely box out, steal or a key defensive stop. That's where Newble believes he could have stepped in. That's why Newble was bothered by his inability to participate and why he is motivated for the upcoming season.
"This year I want to show that I can help my team win a championship," Newble said. "I have the ability to contribute in a major way; most importantly on the defensive end by bringing a lot of energy. That's one of the things I looked at last year that probably could've taken us over the hump had I been myself."
Last season, Newble missed 35 games. He missed 21 games with a right foot strain that gave him trouble during last year's training camp.

Cavaliers at Boston Celtics

Friday, October 13, 2006


Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. tonight at Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, N.H.
TV/radio: None; WTAM AM/1100.
Notable: Tonight's the second meeting in three days for the Cavs and Celtics, the Celtics defeated the Cavs on Tuesday at The Q. . . . Drew Gooden led the Cavs with 16 points in the first meeting. . . . Scot Pollard, Gooden and Boston's Paul Pierce attended Kansas.



Next for Cavs: Washington Wizards on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at The Q.
- Branson Wright

 

[Brutus1]

I will make my prediction right now after watching the preseason game...

If Hughes stay healthy all year we will win our divsiion and we will at least make the Conference finals if not the Finals.

Any thoughts on who makes the team??

LBJ, Snow, Gooden, Hughes, Z, Marshall, DJ, Wesley, Pollard, Brown, Wildthing, and Gibson(I hope)

I agree that I'd like to see Gibson, but I have afeeling his going to be this season's Marty A; frequent trips between Cleveland and Arkansas (or whichever). Unlike Marty, I think Gibson has a nice future, so he can benefit by playing 25 minutes a night in the NDBL.

I'd say Newble snags the last spot based on his defense and the fact that Jackson and Pavlovic have SOME trade interest, while Newble probably does not.

Some observations: I like the look of the new floor.

The new tv announcer seemed like nothing special and in fact seemed to
go out of his way to overreact.

At least Gilbert got it right by re-signing Joe Tait.

Wild Thing swished his first 2 free throws of the season. I'm expecting a nice increase in his offensive output this season.

I wish Eric Snow and Gooden would grow some hair.

Hughes looked more confident in his shooting than at any time last season. No, that's wrong. His shot looked better than at any time last year. I'm not sure if he'll stay healthy, he rarely does, but if they are just little stints here and there, I'd be happy.

Donyell looked better physically. He looks to have shed a few LB's. Pounds, not Hawks.

I saw DJ downtown a couple of weeks ago and was suprised to see him driving an older Nissan. I had him pegged as a glamor guy that pimps around in nothing less than a $60k set of wheels.

Mike Brown needs to get glasses that aren't as tight. I get a headache when I see how tight they fit his head.

I love those blue jerseys from last year. I hope we see them more this year.

I was a little disappointed that Pollard had a normal hair style.

The new ball matches the color of the new court. I noticed no difference in shooting.

Did anyone else notice if that was Chris Jent sitting behind the Cavs bench
during the Celts game?

 

[BuckFanAtAkron]

Well we don't have to worry about Jackson anymore. We traded him to Boston for Dwayne Jones.

 

[Brutus1]

Well Hawg, you got your wish: Jackson was just traded to the Celts for a turd named Dwayne Jones. He only makes 600k so they made out cap-wise since Luke counted for 2.1Mil. They also received a trade exception in the deal.

Is Pavlovic next or will he get another shot ?

 

[exhawg]

Well Hawg, you got your wish: Jackson was just traded to the Celts for a turd named Dwayne Jones. He only makes 600k so they made out cap-wise since Luke counted for 2.1Mil. They also received a trade exception in the deal.

Is Pavlovic next or will he get another shot ?

This is probably a good move for both teams, but better for Jackson than anyone else. He should actually get a chance to play in Boston. I just hope the Cavs don't live to regret giving up on him. If he can stay healthy and get some minutes he might turn into a good player. Dwayne Jones is another big guy on the bench if they need him, probably NBA DL.
I don't see the Cavs trading away Pavlovic until they are sold on Brown being the 6th man. Pav can be a scorer when they need him, but he won't see many minutes with their current roster. If Hughes can't stay healthy again Brown or Pav would be the starting SG.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Damon Jones is the one that needs moved... He's a very expensive redundant luxury with Shannon Brown on board... Damon learned his defensive fundamentals from Julian Lopez (the #1 ranked matador in Tijuana)... :)