Cavs '05-'06 wrap up

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

“Of course I want to stay,” James said Monday after the players cleared out their lockers at The Q. “This season has really put a good frame of mind into me being a part of this organization for a long time.”

This is the best news that Cavs fans have heard in a long time......Lebron is just amazing and with him being in Cleveland, I hope he can attract some big time FAs to take a look at Cleveland in the off season.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by buckeyeboy

I'm not sure that Hughes is worth $90 million in regards to this Cavs team. When he was in Washington, his 20 ppg was mostly due to slashing to the hoop with the ball (go back and look at the tapes if you don't believe me). What this team really needs with LeBron, though, is for Hughes to do more spot up shooting from long distance, which isn't his strong point. I do like what he was able to do for Washington in regards to defense, however, and I hope he can bring that same tenacity to the Cavs next year. However, I ultimately think that while he is a very good NBA player, the Cavs, to build a team around LeBron, should have spent $90 million elsewhere.

Man I think you off about Larry. You say that we do not need spot slashers to go along side LBJ, but look at what was going on when Larry was down and they tryed moving DJ into the 2 spot. He is a great spot up shooter, but it didnt seem to help us. Then when we got Flip, things started to open up more for the whole team.

Larry was avg. 16 pts./game on a bum finger and it really hurt us when he went down. B/c if and when LBJ reverse the ball, Larry is able to slash to the hole and take advantage of a defender that is sagging off of him and trying to help on LBJ. Larry showed his ability to get to the hole this year, and he has shown the ability to knock down the wide open 3. Alot better than what Flip showed.

Another thing Larry brings to the table is that he understands moreso than most of the guys on the team, what LBJ is looking to do and is able to see him in the open court and get him the ball. He is also very athletic, so he is able to play somewhat at LBJ's speed, unlike a Snow, Jones, or Flip.

At last but not least, he is a shut down defender. With him and LBJ and Snow on and then Varejao, we have the potential to be a great defensive team, and Larry has the ability to shut down, just about anyone in the NBA.

Also there was no one else on the market last year, that was going to be able to come in and help us, besides him, and we had to do something b/c we didnt have a draft pick.

His only knock is him being injury prone, but I think that he will shake that next year.

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Also there was no one else on the market last year, that was going to be able to come in and help us, besides him, and we had to do something b/c we didnt have a draft pick.

IMO Redd or Ray Allen would have been a better fit for the Cavs, but I guess the shouldn't count since the Cavs never really had a shot. Hughes was the best option that the Cavs could actually sign.

If Dwight comes cheap he will be back. BUT he won't come back cheap and thus he is gone.

I don't really want a drugged out washed up pitcher on the roster.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by exhawg

IMO Redd or Ray Allen would have been a better fit for the Cavs, but I guess the shouldn't count since the Cavs never really had a shot. Hughes was the best option that the Cavs could actually sign.

That is more of what I meant. Those were the 3 big 2 guards that were on the market and everyone knew Redd and Allen were going back to their respective teams.

[exhawg]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

That is more of what I meant. Those were the 3 big 2 guards that were on the market and everyone knew Redd and Allen were going back to their respective teams.

I bet Allen might rethink that if he could do it over again. It doesn't sound like he is very happy with the current Sonics team.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/24/06

Some bravos for Brown

Overall, Cavaliers coach did pretty good job in his rookie season

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->Think back to October, when the Cavaliers had not been to the playoffs for eight years and were opening the 2005-06 season with a rookie coach.
Suppose someone would have said the following:
• Star free-agent guard Larry Hughes would miss 45 games because of two finger operations and not play as well as usual when he was on the court.
• The Cavaliers would still win 50 games and earn the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, worthy of home court in the first round.
• They would defeat the Washington Wizards in the first round, winning three times by one point, two games on the road, two in overtime.
• They would take the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons to a Game 7 in the second round of the playoffs.
Question: Would you have signed up for that season?
Answer: Most fans would.
Question: So what does that say about coach Mike Brown?
Answer: He did a pretty good job.
That's the bottom line on a season that was wonderfully surprising and holds enormous promise for the near future.
Not only were the Cavs eight years removed from the playoffs, but they also hadn't won a playoff series since 1993. From 1994-2005, the Cavs' playoff record was 2-12.
In a historical context, this season was a smashing success.
He knows who's in control
Brown makes no claims to being a genius with X's and O's. He is an unassuming man and has been around the NBA long enough to know players control the league. Consider that in the Eastern Conference no coach has been with his current team for more than three full seasons!
The Indiana Pacers' Rick Carlisle and the Wizards' Eddie Jordan both are at three seasons.
As former NBA star Johnny Kerr once said, ``When I was coaching, I learned there were five guys out there running around in their underwear with my paycheck.''
For this reason, it can be hard for a coach to keep the respect and attention of his players. With one phone call to an owner, a star can push the coach out the door -- or at least, that's the case with some franchises.
To some players, the coach is nothing but a guy in a suit with a clipboard. Next year, there will be another guy in the suit, maybe with the same clipboard. Coaches come and go faster than players, and the players know it.
Last fall, Brown became the Cavs' sixth coach in six years. He was hired at age 35. He had never played in the NBA, never been a head coach at any level. He was a basketball dues-payer, starting as a video guy, a scout, a third assistant and then working his way to becoming the Pacers' top assistant before Cavs owner Dan Gilbert hired him.
For Brown, the mission was clear: Build a team around LeBron James that improves its defense and makes the playoffs.
The Cavs did just that.
Communication key
Brown's strength is his communication skill with players, which is a critical component for any NBA coach. It's especially true when it comes to dealing with a star.
As Brown often said, ``If it comes to picking between LeBron and me, the only ones who pick me are my family.''
Brown works well with James. He handles the media with grace. He stays away from petty arguments. He connects well with his boss, General Manager Danny Ferry.
That's not always a given, as general managers and coaches often go to war with each other in the NBA. The GM wants younger players on the court, or sometimes thinks the coaches aren't using the talent correctly. The coach can blame the GM for not getting him better players.
In the end, the franchise is pulled apart rather than working together. Players sometimes sense it, and can make the bad situation worse by criticizing the coach.
None of that happened with Ferry and Brown. The real test will be when the Cavs fail to meet some expectations, but both men seem to trust each other -- and that's a major positive.
Just as important, Gilbert has kept his opinions out of the basketball operation, rarely interacting with Brown except to be very supportive. That's an excellent approach.
From ownership to assistant coaches and trainers, the Cavs have kept their politics and personal agendas in check. That will help build the team over time.
Tactical weakness
Brown's weakest area is tactics, especially on offense.
He loves the pick-and-roll play. There's the high pick-and-roll, and the side pick-and-roll. That often means one guy dribbles, one guy moves, three others watch.
He does have some other plays, but they generate little movement. His goal is to fast-break off defensive rebounds and steals. Or to have a player such as James drive to the basket, draw the defense, then pass to an open player for a 3-pointer.
This over-reliance on James led to the 21-year-old star playing the second-most minutes in the NBA. Too often he played too much, and that led to fatigue. Brown admitted he needed to get James more rest, but seldom did it.
There is talk of adding an offensive coordinator-type to the staff, but that only matters if Brown is willing to buy into what the assistant has to say. Brown has been around long enough to see different systems, and obviously he likes this one or he wouldn't use it.
But it's not varied enough to maximize the talent on the roster. He needs more ways to get the ball inside to Zydrunas Ilgauskas and the other players.
Defensively, the Cavs did improve. They have few defensive-oriented players other than Eric Snow and Anderson Varejao. Brown found a way to defend the basic pick-and-roll play, which had been haunting the Cavs for the last few years.
Overall, Brown delivered more than was expected. Sometimes, you wondered exactly how he did it, but 50 victories and a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals says a lot of good things about the coach.
His youth also means there's room for him to be more effective in the future, assuming he's willing to make some changes, especially on offense.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/25/06

Ilgauskas could be center of attention

Direction Cavs plan to take might include trade

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->The Cavaliers will be in evaluation mode for the next few weeks.
They have three picks in June's NBA Draft and four of their own free agents to deal with, but the largest and first decision could involve center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas, the longest-tenured Cavalier, could be the subject of trade talks, team insiders said.
It is a complex issue for General Manager Danny Ferry, one that will play out in the coming months.
Before the Cavs make any personnel decisions, they will have to decide what sort of changes need to be made.
The Cavs' defense turned into a strong point by the end of the season, and their chemistry was perhaps the best in the NBA. The offense had its moments, but broke down under pressure at times during the season and in the playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons.
How the team proceeds in this area might determine Ilgauskas' future. Coach Mike Brown said this week that he would consider bringing in an offensive-minded assistant coach. If a new assistant comes in, his philosophy would play into the decisions. If Brown decides to make changes himself, that would play in. Ferry has the final word on all decisions.
How Ilgauskas' talents match up with the Cavs' chosen course could determine whether they look at any possibilities of trading him.
Ilgauskas struggled during the postseason, averaging 10 points and shooting 45 percent, both well below his regular-season averages.
The Cavs sometimes performed better with a quicker lineup on the floor, including young big man Anderson Varejao.
Officials from other teams, as well as some of Ilgauskas' teammates, believe he is under-used in the Cavs' current offensive scheme.
The answer might be that he is not the right fit with the talent on the roster, and the Cavs could look to join a growing trend in the NBA, which is to play a more up-tempo game with less emphasis on a back-to-the-basket center like Ilgauskas.
Ferry, however, is a big supporter of Ilgauskas and pushed to re-sign him when he was hired as GM last June. Until Ferry's arrival, it appeared Ilgauskas' return was not a sure thing for the 2005-06 season.
In July, Ferry got Ilgauskas to agree to a five-year, $51 million contract.
The deal required Ilgauskas to take a $6 million pay cut from the previous season, which helped the Cavs add three other high-profile free agents: Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones.
In return, Ilgauskas received a fifth season on the contract worth $11.5 million that was his option, a kicker that hikes his salary 15 percent if he's traded and premium refunds on a $24 million insurance policy.
Even with all of that, there is a belief that there would be a demand on the trade market for Ilgauskas. Regarded as one of the top three offensive centers in the NBA, behind Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming, numerous teams who have a hole in the middle might have interest. During the past year, the two players Ferry got the most trade pitches for were Ilgauskas, who is still only 30, and Varejao, a team insider said.
At this point, nothing is certain except there will be some exploration in the coming months.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/25/06

NBA NOTEBOOK

Cavaliers owner thanks the fans in newspaper ads

Thursday, May 25, 2006

ASSOCIATED PRESS


Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert took out full-page advertisements in the region’s biggest newspapers yesterday to boost the spirits of fans still enduring a decades-long championship drought and assure the basketball faithful that resigning LeBron James is the team’s top priority.

The James-led Cavaliers ended their NBA playoffs run Sunday in a 79-61 Game 7 loss against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Gilbert spent $25,000 to publish the thank-you letter to Cavaliers fans in The Plain Dealer and the Akron Beacon Journal. His note also outlined summer improvement plans for the team, including that "opportunity to re-sign a key player ... or two."

On July 1, the Cavaliers can offer James a five-year, $75 million deal that would lock him up through the 2011-12 season.
Other off-season work will include building a $20 million practice complex, improvements to the arena and finding players who can help the 21-year-old James, Gilbert wrote.



<!--PHOTOS-->

[exhawg]

I am very pleased with the Cavs 2005-06 season. If you had told me before the season that they would win 50 games and take the Pistons to 7 games in the second round of the playoffs I would have taken it. Lebron needed these playoffs to truly grow up in the NBA and he did probably more than anyone thought he could in one year. Except for the fact that he played too many minutes and just got worn down during the Pistons series Lebron was absolutely amazing. Varejao also came into his own in these playoffs. If he can stay healthy this off season he is going to make some huge strides offensively for next season. You can’t teach what Wild Thing brings to the court. I also like what Snow was able to bring during the post season, but the Cavs really need more offensively out of the PG. It seems like every team the Cavs played had guys that would nail open 3’s, but I rarely saw that out of the Cavs. Damon Jones needs to work his ass off this season to become a better defender so that he can see more pt. Unfortunately he isn’t a bad defender because he doesn’t try, he does. He just isn’t a very good defender. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> probably ended up being Ferry’s best signing of last off season (during this year). He has the ability to hit 3’s, drive to the hoop, and get rebounds, which will be big in the future.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>
As far as the future Lebron, Varejao, Hughes, and Marshall are the only pieces that are definitely safe this off season. Any other player is expendable for the right deal. I would have a hard time seeing the Cavs part with Z (above article), but for the right deal he could be had. The biggest priority for the Cavs this off season is to find and offense besides watch Lebron. I think Hughes expressed this to the coaches after he came back this season. The Cavs have the offensive tools to be a prolific scoring team with the right coaching, add that to the defense the Brown taught them this season and they can be a title contender. After the first 2 games of the Pistons series the Cavs pretty much shut down the Pistons offense. They should be able to win any game where they hold the other teams offense under 90 pts.<o></o>
I hope that the Cavs can work a sign and trade with Gooden. I like him sometimes, but he just isn’t consistent enough to keep around. If for some reason they trade Z as stated in the above article Gooden’s status might change. The Cavs need someone who is able to play in the post although I think Varejao’s post game will leap forward next season, especially since he gets so many open looks thanks to Lebron. If Z stays the Cavs need to pick up an enforcer type of PF/C. Someone who can play 10-20 very physical minutes a game.<o></o>
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cavs make some moves in the draft. With 3 picks and some trade bait like Gooden they could probably swing 2 first round picks, although this is one of the worst draft classes IMO. They need to get a player who can be the PG of the future and likely a big physical player. If they end up keeping the other pick a project scorer would be a good way to go. If Dee Brown is available at the Cavs first 2<SUP>nd</SUP> round pick he would be a good player to take.<o></o>
On the bright side the Cavs run this postseason and Lebron signing a long term team will hopefully get the Cavs some value out of their salary cap exceptions. Players will actually want to come to <st1:City><st1lace>Cleveland</st1lace></st1:City> to play with Lebron. They can go over the cap for Gooden so a sign and trade with him would allow them to give him a contract, and then trade him for a similar contract from someone else. Or a team like the Bulls that have the cap space could give the Cavs a draft pick for him. The Cavs are probably past the point of being able to wait for drafted players to be ready except for a PG.<o></o>
I wish Flip Murray the best wherever he signs. This season wouldn’t have been possible without him, but there also isn’t room for him anymore. As someone else stated this is the make or break season for <st1:City><st1lace>Jackson</st1lace></st1:City> and Pavlovic. The Cavs really need one or both of them to step up and prove that they can be a big contributor off of the bench on offense and defense. I actually liked what I saw out of Pavlovic before the Cavs traded for <st1:City><st1lace>Murray</st1lace></st1:City>. IMO Hughes is capable of playing PG so Pav or Jackson could work their way into a lot more playing time if they could realize their potential. Newble is still around for another year so the Cavs are going to have him on the bench as a defensive sub. If he can stay healthy during the off season he will be a good guy to have on the bench for the half a minute he will see a night. It would be nice to see Little Z ad some bulk and be the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> center next year. Right now he is too thin to be of much help.<o></o>
In the 3 seasons that Lebron has been in the league he has never failed at anything he has set out to do. His goal now is to win a championship and I firmly believe that he will lead this team to that in the near future.<o></o>

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/26/06

Brown's option exercised

Cavaliers reward coach after successful season

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->CLEVELAND - A year ago this week, Mike Brown was hired as Cavaliers coach and owner Dan Gilbert gave him a clock. Thursday, Brown got something more valuable.
Even though it was unexpected at this point, the Cavs announced they've exercised the fourth-year option in Brown's contract following his successful season.
Brown set numerous team records for a first-year coach, none more impressive than his 50-32 record. He also led the Cavs into the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. That impressed his superiors, who really had no need to exercise the option at this time, but did so anyway.
``This is a sign that we believe he can take us to the next level,'' Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said. ``I like the direction we're headed.''
Ferry said he and Gilbert decided six weeks ago, before the Cavs' playoff run, that they'd pick up Brown's option. It is worth $2.5 million to Brown, the final year of the $8 million pact he agreed to last May. Brown made $1.8 million in base salary this season, though it's likely he reached some bonuses.
The always hokey Brown said it was like ``the fourth cherry in a Shirley Temple.''
Looking deeper, the move has several other facets. It re-enforces stability within the organization. If Brown is still the coach in 2008, he'll likely have had his contract re-done with a significant raise. It is just another message to free agents and even LeBron James, whom the Cavs will ask to sign a contract extension this summer.
Additionally, should the Cavs look to add a high-profile name to Brown's staff this summer, this move just backs him even more in a coaching environment where coaches get nervous about such assistants.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

5/26/06

Brown given fourth year

Friday, May 26, 2006

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer


CLEVELAND - For the first time in recent memory, the Cleveland Cavaliers made an offseason coaching move that didn’t involve someone being hired or fired.
Mike Brown, who led Cleveland to 50 regular-season wins and the second round of the playoffs in his first year as coach, was rewarded Thursday as the club picked up his $2.5 million contract option.
Brown signed a three-year, $10 million deal with the option last June when he was named the 17th coach in franchise history — and the Cavs’ sixth in six years.
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” General Manager Danny Ferry said. “From (owner) Dan Gilbert’s perspective and my perspective, this is the guy we believe is the right one to lead our team, and why not show the commitment to him?”
In exercising their option two years before they had to, the Cavaliers have shown a deeper commitment to the 36-year-old Brown, who began his pro coaching career breaking down videotape for the Denver Nuggets.
“We didn’t have to do this now,” Ferry said. “But we thought it was the right thing to do. He doesn’t need a vote of confidence. It wasn’t needed, which is why I think it says even more about Mike and the job he has done.”
Led by superstar LeBron James, the Cavaliers went 50-32 during the regular season and made the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Cleveland eliminated Washington in six games in the first round, and then pushed the Detroit Pistons to a Game 7 before losing in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Brown managed to keep the Cavaliers happy, focused and winning despite not having guard Larry Hughes for 45 games with an injury.
When he was hired by Gilbert last year, Brown’s main objective was to help build a team around James, the club’s 21-year-old phenom who almost single-handedly got the Cavs past Detroit.
Among Brown’s biggest strengths are his communication skills, which are vital in a league controlled by its high-salaried players. Brown also has a strong working relationship with Ferry, whom he coached in San Antonio.
“This is the guy who we think can take us to the next level,” said Ferry, who began talks with Gilbert about picking up Brown’s option six weeks ago.
Ferry said he received positive feedback from Cleveland’s players about Brown’s first-year performance.
“You looked at the energy of the group, the trust that they had in him, the high level of communication. It was a good, healthy, strong, rich environment,” Ferry said. “That was a big reason. Making the playoffs just affirmed the direction we wanted to go. I really believe this is the right decision.”
Brown was somewhat exposed for a lack of offensive imagination this season, and he said earlier this week that he may add an offensive-minded coach to his staff this summer. Ferry said he was pleased with the job done by Cleveland’s staff.
Brown’s other flaw was an overly heavy reliance on James, who played the second most minutes in the league this season. James appeared fatigued in the second half of Cleveland’s 79-61 loss to the Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday.
Before taking over the Cavaliers, Brown spent two seasons as an assistant with the Indiana Pacers and three years with both the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. He began his NBA career with the Nuggets in 1992. Brown laughed when he was reminded about the Cavs’ recent carousel of coaching changes. Usually, Cleveland coaches are being dismissed in the days following a season. “There’s still time for that,” he joked. “But at least I’ll walk away with a little more money in my pocket.”


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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/27/06

NBA

Consensus of opinion: Cavs are on right path

Signing James, free agents is top priority

Saturday, May 27, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>TONY DEJAK ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>LeBron James can expect to receive a maximum contract extension offer about July 1. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are proud of their 2005-06 season, but they are far from satisfied.

That was the resounding message from the team’s front office, coaching staff and players this week after a season-ending 79-61 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Whether it’s 50 wins, LeBron James’ MVP-caliber season or the near-upset of the Pistons, this was a successful season for the Cavaliers, but the loss still stings.

"Our goal is to win a championship, it’s as simple as that," James said. "We did a great job this year of making the playoffs, but our goals are higher now. Our focus is on trying to get better this off-season and come back and win a championship."

After the Cavs’ dismal losses to Detroit in Games 1 and 2, coach Mike Brown said his team had seen what it took to play at the next level. Apparently the Cavaliers had, because they unexpectedly pushed the Pistons to seven games.

Now the question is whether they can do better.

This off-season could go a long way in defining the future of this franchise, and that future starts and ends with James, who will be offered a maximum contract extension in the range of five years and $75 million.

James is signed for one more season, but the organization and its fans desperately want their homegrown star to remain in town long term.

"I guess our control over this situation is to continue to do as many good things as possible for our team," general manager Danny Ferry said, "from making this a great place to play to having good players here to being a team that can be thought of as contending for a championship and winning a championship. Players want to be a part of that, and I’ve got to imagine that’s very important to LeBron."

The Cavs will offer James a contract July 1, and the first day he can sign it is July 12. He said this week that he doesn’t expect it to be a long process.

"I think we can come up with an agreement for both sides," James said.

But the playoffs proved that James can’t win series by himself, and with little salary cap space available to make improvements, the Cavaliers need to do what they can to maintain and build upon team chemistry.

Forward Drew Gooden and guard Flip Murray will be free agents, and Cleveland could lose both players. While the Cavaliers might be able to replace their talent and stay within budget, chemistry is another matter.

"There was never any issues," point guard Eric Snow said of this year’s team. "It was fun on the court and even more fun off. The highs and the lows, the winning streaks and the losing streaks, it always seemed to be great support, great communication and great effort."

Gooden wants to return, but Murray wants to explore his options.

Gooden averaged 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds. Despite his inconsistencies, he is a productive big man, which isn’t easy to find.

The team has a better chance of retaining Murray. The Cavaliers own a mid-level exception, which could be enticing to Murray. The biggest drawback is that he’s looking for an opportunity to start, something Cleveland is unlikely to provide.

As far as adding players, point guard is Cleveland’s biggest need. The team could acquire a player with its mid-level exception in free agency, or use its first-round draft pick (25 th overall) or two second-rounders to improve depth at the position.

No matter what the Cavaliers do this summer, their core will remain intact, meaning the team should improve simply from a continuity standpoint.

"We brought a young team together and a new system, new coaching staff and a new organization, and I think we did a hell of a job," guard Damon Jones said. "The San Antonios and Detroits didn’t win their championships overnight. We understand that it’s going to take time."

jwalker@dispatch.com

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/29/06

Cavs' playoff run a whole lot of fun

Excitement generated unmatched since Tribe in 1948 World Series

By Marla Ridenour

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller said the level of excitement generated by the Cavaliers' playoff run hadn't been felt in Northeast Ohio since the 1948 World Series.
After what he heard when he and his wife dined with friends recently, retired Cleveland Plain Dealer sports writer Russ Schneider would agree.
``This lady with no previous interest in the Cavs said, `I'm really excited. And tell me, what is a pick-and-roll?' '' Schneider said.
TV ratings soared. ``Witness'' T-shirts flew off the shelves and area sporting goods stores were deluged with calls asking whether they had any in stock.
A brown and orange town briefly changed its colors to wine and gold.
Jackie Groza, widow of Hall of Fame Browns kicker Lou Groza, calls herself ``LeBron's biggest fan.'' And it's not just because one of her grandsons was a freshman at St. Vincent-St. Mary High when James was a senior.
``I like the way he handles himself,'' Groza said. ``Lou always used to say, `You don't have to tell people how good you are. Let your actions speak for themselves.'
``I schedule all my things around the games.''
Former Browns offensive tackle Doug Dieken said his 13-year-old daughter Ali can name the Cavs starters and she never followed basketball before.
``That's a good sign,'' Dieken said.
Dieken said when he made a recent visit to the Java Bay coffee shop in Bay Village, owner Bob Lowrie had a ``Witness'' sign in the window.
``Guys are digging out old Cavs hats remembering the Miracle of Richfield,'' said Lowrie, a standout basketball player at Cathedral Latin High in the late 1970s. ``This is so much more intense.''
Cleveland native Dino Lucarelli, 70, has worked for the Browns in media and alumni relations since 1975. He noticed the spread of Cavs fever.
If the Cavs had reached the conference finals, ``it will be comparable to the Kardiac Kids,'' Lucarelli said, referring to the Browns team of 1980 led by quarterback Brian Sipe and coach Sam Rutigliano.
``I can feel the excitement in town. People are believers now. During the Browns playoff games against Denver (in 1986, '87 and '89), everything in the city was brown and orange. That was a great feeling. But probably the greatest feeling of all was the 1948 World Series. I remember the parade when I was 14 years old. I don't think they had a parade for the '64 Browns.''
Schneider said the 1995 World Series, when the Indians made their first appearance in 41 years, generated a lot of excitement. But he said the attraction of the 1948 Indians was Lou Boudreau, known as ``The Boy Manager,'' whom Schneider said was more beloved by women in the area than Grady Sizemore is today. Those Indians also survived a four-team pennant race with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics and New York Yankees from Labor Day on and finally had to beat the Red Sox in a one-game playoff for the pennant.
``The peak of community excitement was 1948,'' Schneider said. ``All I heard was everyone's radio blaring about the Indians. What the Cavs have done has overshadowed '95.''
Feller recalled the parade up Euclid Avenue in 1948 and agreed that the Cavs' accomplishments have eclipsed '95.
``It's not big unless you win it all,'' Feller said. ``LeBron's probably got the biggest name of anybody in town since Jim Brown, and maybe even bigger. I don't miss a shot.''
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/29/06

LeBron's friends not surprised

By David Lee Morgan Jr.

<!-- begin body-content -->Basketball fans had the chance to ``witness'' the emergence of LeBron James and the Cavaliers this season.
Former coaches, teammates and friends had seen it all before -- James has been dazzling them for years.
``What I've always enjoyed about LeBron, from the beginning, was his ability to pass and the fact that he loves sharing the ball, and that hasn't changed. I still see that,'' said St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball coach Dru Joyce II.
Joyce coached James during his AAU years and his final two seasons at St. V-M.
``He's making the right decision playing basketball and playing the way it's supposed to be played,'' Joyce said. ``It's not about him, it's about the team. When you see someone doing it the way it's supposed to be done, you love it, and you can't help but enjoy it. That's what we taught all of our kids when they were young and it's a great thing to see.''
One of James' longtime teammates is Dru Joyce III, who finished his junior season as the starting point guard for the University of Akron. The two remain close friends.
James, 21, just finished his third season in the NBA, but Joyce said James continues to get better.
``The biggest improvement I've seen in LeBron's game is his ability to catch and shoot,'' Joyce II said. ``In high school, he was more of an off-the-dribble shooter. Now, he'll curl off a screen and shoot the ball a whole lot better.''
Joyce III sees a much more mature James.
``He has gotten a lot smarter, and he was always good with the media,'' Joyce III said. ``He has always been media savvy and he's just taken it to another level.''
Tremayne Danzy said he's proud to see James become an international sensation and to see James continue to be an unselfish player like he was in high school.
``When I watch LeBron, I look at him doing the same things he did in high school, but he's just doing it against NBA players,'' Danzy said. ``There's really nothing that has surprised me. No, wait. Watching him in the Detroit series was unbelievable because he just made things look so easy.''
Frankie Walker Sr., who has known the James family for years, said part of James' success has to do with the fact that he has been consistent. They way he played during rec ball in Akron is the same way that he plays now, Walker said.
``He's a team player, and that has never, ever changed,'' Walker said. ``He may score a little more now than he did in high school, but the bottom line is he always wants to get his teammates involved.
``So am I surprised at how well he's played since he's been in the league? No.
``Going back to when he was a kid, every team he's been on, that's the way it has been. When he first got into the NBA, he analyzed the game, realized he could play with these guys and took his team to another level. That's what good players do.''
Joyce II said James' maturity and respect for the game of basketball goes back to his AAU days.
``I used to have this saying by (legendary UCLA coach) John Wooden, and I don't know if LeBron remembers it, but it was hanging in my car from the time all the guys were little,'' Joyce said. ``It said, `Fame is man-given, be thankful. Talent is God-given, be humble. Conceit is self-given, be careful.' '' Those guys all took that to heart and they understood that message. That's how he handles things because he knows as quick as people put you up there, they'll bring you back down even quicker.
``I just believe that LeBron is blessed with the ability to understand things and to know how to respond to things he can control. He can control basketball, and that's what we always talked about when he was younger. Let's control what we can control and the other stuff you have to let go.''
That's what James' closest friends admire more than anything: That he has handled his fame and fortune with impeccable class, maturity and humility.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

5/31/06

Evaluating the Cavs


Sunday, May 28, 2006


MARTYNAS ANDRIUSKEVICIUS
Position: Center.
Salary next season: $398,000.
Past: Spent time on the bench and in the NBDL.
Future: More time on the bench and in the NBDL.

DREW GOODEN
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: Restricted free agent.
Past: Gooden's stats were down but so were his minutes.
Future: The Cavs can match any offer made to Gooden. They also could use Gooden in a sign-and-trade.

STEPHEN GRAHAM
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: $195,000.
Past: Signed in February to fill a spot as a practice player.
Future: His future with the Cavs will depend on the team's moves this summer.

ALAN HENDERSON
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: Free agent.
Past: Provided leadership and one of the team's good guys.
Future: Possible retirement.

LARRY HUGHES
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: $11.1 million.
Past: Injuries and a death in the family slowed Hughes down last season. -RD Injuries last season slowed down Hughes, who also had a brother die during the playoffs.
Future: Could possibly see more action at point guard.

ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS
Position: Center.
Salary next season: $11 million.
Past: Solid regular season, but Ilgauskas slumped during the playoffs.
Future: The Cavs will explore trade possibilities this summer.

LUKE JACKSON
Position: Guard/forward.
Salary next season: $2 million.
Past: Another season that ended with back surgery.
Future: The team could give up on Jackson before he proves he belongs in the league.

LEBRON JAMES
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: $5.8 million
Past: Another record-setting season and second place in the MVP voting.
Future: The Cavs and the city hope James signs a five-year extension this summer.

DAMON JONES
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: $3.7 million.
Past: An up-and-down regular season and an up-and-down postseason.
Future: Possible trade bait but one of the best outside shooters when he's on.

DONYELL MARSHALL
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: $5.1 million.
Past: Did not have one of his strong regular seasons but picked up the pace in the postseason.
Future: Needs to regain the shooting touch that made him one of the best 3-point shooters in the league.

FLIP MURRAY
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: Unrestricted free agent.
Past: Provided a spark with Hughes out.
Future: Looking for his first big payday and hopes to become a starter.

IRA NEWBLE
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: $3.1 million.
Past: Suffered from injuries and an infection during the season.
Future: May have spent his last season with the Cavs due to a trade.

SASHA PAVLOVIC
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: $1.9 million.
Past: Played in spurts.
Future: Organization must decide if Pavlovic is part of the team's plans.

ERIC SNOW
Position: Guard.
Salary next season: $6 million.
Past: Defensive effort was key to the Cavs' postseason run.
Future: Trade possibility, and if it happens, Snow is best suited in Larry Brown's system.

ANDERSON VAREJAO
Position: Forward.
Salary next season: $945,000
Past: Made great strides after coming back from shoulder surgery.
Future: Could become starting power forward if Gooden does not return.