Cleveland Cavaliers News

Cavs prosper without LeBron
Comment
March 10
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"In one respect, the Cavaliers players who got the chance to participate in the victory Monday against the San Antonio Spurs proved something to themselves — they can win without LeBron James. They gutted out a game in which they trailed going into the fourth quarter and buckled down and played defense the way coach Mike Brown likes, holding the Spurs to just 26 percent shooting in the quarter on 7-of-27 shooting. Overall they held the Spurs to just 42 percent shooting for the game on 35-of-84 shooting. Brown said that he wanted to see two things without James in the lineup — effort and trust. By their own admission when James was scratched just before game time against the Milwaukee Bucks, ..."
Antawn Jamison is day-to-day after MRI exam; LeBron James expected to play Friday
Comment
March 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cavaliers finally got some good injury news on Tuesday. An MRI on Antawn Jamison's left knee at the Cleveland Clinic revealed nothing serious. Jamison was pulled from the Cavs' 97-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter when the back of the knee tightened up. Jamison said he's been bothered by soreness in the knee earlier this season and was able to get through it with treatment."
Substitutes persevere
Comment
March 9
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"No LeBron. No Shaq. And, eventually, no Antawn. With three of the best players resting or banged up, a rag-tag mash-up of Cavaliers beat the San Antonio Spurs 97-95 in front of a sold-out Quicken Loans Arena. The fact that James and O'Neal were out was no big secret, but losing Jamison at 8:02 of the third quarter with a stiff left knee could have crushed the team's confidence. But the opposite occurred as a team featuring Jawad Williams, J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao reached down and grabbed a victory. ''When Antawn went out, our guys could have dropped their head and said let's forget about it, let's just play these guys close, and went on about their business,'' Cavaliers coach Mike ..."
LeBron's rest will continue until Friday
Comment
March 9
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"LeBron James tried to sneak onto the court to take practice shots Monday in preparation for the game against the San Antonio Spurs, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. ''I asked him: 'What are you doing?' '' Brown said. ''Game-time decision. Game-time decision? Right?'' James apparently asked. Not quite. After getting the hopes up of assistant coaches, the Cavs faced their second game without its superstar leader as Brown sat James to rest him. This means that James, who rolled his ankle against the Detroit Pistons last Friday, will get a week to rest it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Although the Cavs looked out of sync offensively against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, point guard ..."
LeBron James' health surpasses a mid-March game, so star rests vs. Spurs
Comment
March 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Knowing that his coach was calling him a "game-time decision" against the Spurs Monday night, LeBron James showed up at shootaround in the morning dressed to go through the workout. "What are you doing?" Mike Brown asked. The answer, it turns out, is just resting. Brown decided to hold James out of a second consecutive game, following a plan to give James a full week off to heal some bumps and bruises. The plan is to give James Tuesday and Wednesday off as well and then let him practice Thursday and return Friday in Philadelphia. "I think this is an opportune time for him to get some rest with the amount of days we have in between games," Brown said. "He wants to play; he doesn't like ..."
Shorthanded but long in desire, Cleveland Cavaliers achieve a satisfying 97-95 victory over San Antonio
Comment
March 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The 50th victory of the season for the Cavaliers had a significantly different feel than those that came before it. In some ways it may have been the most satisfying yet. The Cavs slipped past the streaking San Antonio Spurs, 97-95, Monday night on depth, surprising clutch free-throw shooting and Manu Ginobili's toe. They started the game without Shaquille O'Neal, who was somewhere resting his thumb, and LeBron James, who was on the bench resting everything. By four minutes into the second half, they were also without Antawn Jamison, whose role as leading scorer was cut short when he was forced from the game with soreness in the back of his left knee. He had 17 points before leaving and ..."
Antawn Jamison leaves game in third quarter with stiff knee, MRI scheduled for today
Comment
March 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The 50th victory of the season for the Cavaliers had a significantly different feel than those than came before it. In some ways it may have been the most satisfying yet. The Cavs slipped past the streaking San Antonio Spurs, 97-95, Monday night on depth, surprising clutch free-throw shooting and Manu Ginobili's toe. They started the game without Shaquille O'Neal, who was somewhere resting his thumb, and LeBron James, who was on the bench resting everything. By four minutes into the second half, they were also without Antawn Jamison, whose role as leading scorer was cut short when he was forced from the game with soreness in the back of his left knee. He had 17 points before leaving and ..."
Cavaliers say LeBron James's status will be a game-time decision
Comment
March 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Cavaliers say LeBron James's status will be a game-time decision tonight when the Cavs play host to the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. James tweaked his right ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit and was held out of Saturday's loss in Milwaukee. Coach Mike Brown said it was his decision to hold James out on Saturday, more for overall rest than just for his ankle, and Brown hinted at the time that he might keep James out again on Monday to give him more rest."
Jamison assertive against Bucs
Comment
March 8
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Forward Antawn Jamison's Saturday night performance at the Bradley Center provided the perfect illustration of why the Cavaliers traded for him. General Manager Danny Ferry and coach Mike Brown were completely aware of what Jamison, long a thorn in their sides, can and will do on the court. With LeBron James getting some rest against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jamison — along with Delonte West — took it upon himself to lift the offense onto his shoulders and tried to carry the Cavs to a victory, but eventually came up short. His 30-point, 11-rebound performance was his best since arriving from the Washington Wizards. As he's gotten more comfortable in his new role, the consistency has come. He's ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams is off-target again
Comment
March 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Mo Williams thought his slump was over. After making 8 of 18 shots, including 6 of 11 3-pointers, for 22 points in a 126-118 overtime victory at Toronto on Feb. 26, the Cavaliers starting point guard told reporters last week, "I never doubted myself. I knew it would just be a matter of time. . . . You never know when it's going to come. It couldn't have come at a better time." Except it didn't really come. Since that game in Toronto, Williams has made just 13 of 46 shots (28.2 percent), including 6 of 23 3-pointers (26 percent.) The slump hit its nadir in Saturday's 92-85 loss at Milwaukee, where Williams, a former Buck, made just 3 of 17 shots, including 1 of 7 3-pointers. It couldn't ..."
LeBron finally allowed to relax
Comment
March 7
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Cavaliers forward LeBron James was scratched from Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks to give him some much-deserved rest. On Friday night, James became the Cleveland franchise's leader in minutes played, but didn't get to run that total up. It's the first game that he's missed all season. ''He's played a lot of minutes for us and I just felt it would be good for him and the team to hold him out,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. In one respect, it's a big loss for the Cavs in that James tends to dominate the Bucks. The Cavs are 17-8 against the Bucks since James came into the NBA. He averages 30.1 points per game against them. ''He's a competitive person; he wants to be out there,'' ..."
Jamison, West not enough for win
Comment
March 7
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Antawn Jamison did his job, as did Delonte West. With LeBron James sitting on the bench getting some rest at the behest of coach Mike Brown, Jamison scored 30 points and West added 27 points, a season high, to lead the Cavs. It wasn't enough for the Cavs to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks, who had lost their previous six games against the Cavs. The Bucks beat the Cavs 92-85 to end the Cavs' six-game winning streak. ''I give my guys credit for being shorthanded and going out there and fighting and at least giving us the opportunity down the stretch,'' Brown said. While Jamison and West tried to keep the Cavs afloat, the rest of the team couldn't find any sort of offensive flow. Without ..."
With LeBron James sitting, Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting ducks for Milwaukee Bucks, 92-85
Comment
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It already was going to be a tough game. Then Cavaliers coach Mike Brown made it tougher. Brown elected to rest LeBron James -- and hinted he might do it again Monday when the San Antonio Spurs visit The Q. The coach denied it had anything to do with the fact that James rolled his ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit. But without their leader, the shorthanded Cavaliers, who already were missing Shaquille O'Neal after his right thumb surgery, just didn't have enough left against the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison had 30 points -- his high since joining the Cavs -- and Delonte West added a season-high 27, but Milwaukee snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 92-85 ..."
Dan Gilbert's come through with much that he promised 5 years ago
Comment
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Five years ago this week, Dan Gilbert officially bought the Cavaliers for $375 million in cash and the assumption of debt. To announce the deal, he called a large news conference at the then-Gund Arena with his co-owners -- David Katzman, singer Usher and outgoing majority owner Gordon Gund. There was a slick video presentation set to Usher's hit of the moment, "Yeah," and lots of jokes and promises. Gund gave Gilbert a wine-and-gold tie and some advice, which was to show patience with the team. Gilbert, who within weeks had fired his whole coaching staff and front office, laughed and joked to Gund whether the check had cleared. The news conference was delayed for a few days until the ..."
LeBron James pal William Wesley reportedly considers becoming agent
Comment
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Worldwide Wes to be agent? Sports Illustrated had an interesting report Friday that had plenty of NBA and college basketball insiders scratching their heads and sending e-mails and texts around. SI.com's Seth Davis reported that a confidant of LeBron James and a well-known behind-the-scenes operator in player recruitment and management circles, William "Wes" Wesley, is in talks to become an agent. Davis reported said Wesley is close to joining the massive Creative Artists Agency, which represents top actors and athletes, to represent NBA and college coaches. James' agent and Wesley lifelong friend Leon Rose works for CAA. Rose and Wesley sat in the front row next to the Cavs bench ..."
Cavs lose without James, coach says he might not play again on Monday
Comment
March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It already was going to be a tough game. Then Cavaliers coach Mike Brown made it tougher. Brown elected to rest LeBron James -- and hinted he might do it again Monday when the San Antonio Spurs visit The Q. The coach denied it had anything to do with the fact that James rolled his ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit. But without their leader, the shorthanded Cavaliers, who already were missing Shaquille O'Neal after his right thumb surgery, just didn't have enough left against the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison had 30 points -- his high since joining the Cavs -- and Delonte West added a season-high 27, but Milwaukee snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 92-85 ..."
Kevin Durant concedes NBA scoring title to Lebron James
Comment
March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"With six weeks left to go in the season, LeBron James and Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant are locked up in what has the potential to be one of the tightest scoring races in NBA history. The two entered the weekend separated by 0.18 points per game, which would make it the second closest scoring race ever after George Gervin edged David Thompson by 0.07 points in the 1977-78 season. Not that they care about it. James has said consistently over the last month that winning his second scoring title -- he became the first Cav in team history to win it in 2007-08 -- isn't even on his radar. Now Durant, who is having a breakout season in his third year in the league, is conceding it to James. ..."
Cavaliers rebound to beat Detroit 99-92 in game bookended by laughter and prayers
Comment
March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"An evening that started with more than 20,000 people laughing while wearing Snuggies and was interrupted by a serious medical situation and a prayer circle at center court ended with a lesson about the fragility of winning streaks and life itself. The Cavaliers won their sixth consecutive game, 99-92, over the Detroit Pistons Friday as they overcame a 21-point deficit. They set a new world record in a promotion for fleece blankets. But all of that rushed to the background when Pistons" guard Rodney Stuckey collapsed with 2:30 left in the third quarter after suffering an apparent seizure on the team bench. According to a team spokesman, Stuckey became unconscious after falling into a ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers fans snuggle up to world record for most fleece blankets in one place
Comment
March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"As Danny Green was about to lead the Cavaliers onto the court Friday night at The Q, LeBron James stopped the first-year player. Then, like a parent scolding a child who had made an unspeakable error, James sent Green back to the locker room. "Rookie, put on your Snuggie," James ordered sternly. "And keep those knees high. Don't trip." Moments later, Green dashed into the arena with his plush fleece blanket tied around his neck, taking care to raise the edges of the flowing material to avoid injury when he stepped onto the court. Rookies have to do what veterans say in the world of sports, of course, and when it's Snuggie Night at The Q, the possibilities for ordered pranks are ..."
Cavs players chilled by seeing Stuckey on floor
Comment
March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Thoughts for the Cavs' 99-92 victory over the Pistons: * Yesterday after the Cavs got done with practice, some of the players were watching an ESPN documentary on the 20-year anniversary of the death of Loyola Marymount player Hank Gathers. He passed away from a heart condition while at practice. With that fresh in their minds, some couldn't help but think about it when they were standing there and hoping Rodney Stuckey was OK after falling to the floor with what looked like a seizure in the third quarter. "Yesterday we were at practice and the story of Hank Gathers was on and that is the first thing I thought of when he collapsed," LeBron James said. "I was hoping that wasn't the case. ..."
Cavs rally to down Pistons 99-92
Comment
March 6
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"''Snuggie Night'' at Quicken Loans Arena almost backfired on the Cavaliers. With the sellout crowd of 20,562 setting a Guinness World Record for ''largest gathering of people wearing fleece blankets'' in the first quarter, the Cavs looked like they, too, wanted to curl up on the bench in one of the comfortable contraptions. Trailing by 21 points in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons, they did not resemble the team that came in with five consecutive victories. There was no running and gunning that has marked the Cavs' version of small ball in the three games since center Shaquille O'Neal suffered a sprained right thumb Feb. 25 that required surgery. Even the heartening news ..."
LeBron too much for Pistons
Comment
March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"LeBron James had 40 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat Pistons, 99-92, tonight in Cleveland. Rodney Stuckey suffered an apparent seizure during a time-out late in the third quarter. The game was delayed for about 10 minutes. He was carted off the court on a stretcher and was taken to a local hospital. ESPN reports he was concusion and his vital signs were stable. The Pistons led, 67-61, with 2:30 to play in the third when Stuckey left the game. Cleveland then went on a 14-3 run to take a 75-70 lead with 10:35 to play in the fourth. Stuckey had eight points and 10 assists in 25 minutes before he left the game. Detroit cut the led to four on a Charlie Villanueva three-pointer ..."
Players pray for Rodney Stuckey
Comment
March 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"There are times when players forget about rivalries. Friday night was one of those times as Pistons and Cavaliers players formed a circle on the Quicken Loans Arena floor to pray for Pistons point guard Rodney Stuckey, who suffered an apparent seizure during the Pistons' 99-92 loss. "The game is much bigger than players, coaches and fans," LeBron James said. "Tonight was a game between Cleveland and Detroit, but when an instance like that happens, we all become one family. "All of our prayers are with Rodney Stuckey and his family." Stuckey collapsed on the bench during a time-out at 2:30 of the third quarter. TV replays showed Stuckey shaking in what looked to be a seizure. After ..."
Cavaliers 99 Pistons 92 : Rodney Stuckey gives Pistons a scare
Comment
March 6
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons game against the Cavaliers was delayed with 2:30 left in the third quarter Friday when Rodney Stuckey collapsed on the bench. Stuckey had seizure-like symptoms, although an exact cause is not known. A Pistons spokesmen said after the game Stuckey was in stable condition, talking to medical personnel, and his vital signs were good. Stuckey spent the night at the Cleveland Clinic.

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"He's stable. That's good news," coach John Kuester said after the 99-92 loss. The Pistons had just called a timeout when Kuester was going to talk to Jonas Jerebko about a defensive assignment. Stuckey intervened and told Kuester he would take care of it. "I loved ..."

Ilgauskas to wait, hopes to return to Cavs
Comment
March 5
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The agent for former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said Thursday evening that Ilgauskas would like to return to the team. The Cavs dealt Ilgauskas to the Washington Wizards in a three-team trade at the trade deadline that allowed them to acquire power forward Antawn Jamison. Upon his arrival in Washington, Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, sought a buyout for the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian. A deal was reached last week and Ilgauskas cleared waivers, making him a free agent. He can currently negotiate with any team except the Cavs. ''Zydrunas has decided to wait until March 22 and has asked me to enter into negotiations with the Cavs on that date,'' Rudoy said in a text message. Ilgauskas' ..."
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has a lot of wins as icing on 40th birthday cake
Comment
March 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"One of the unwritten rules in the NBA is to never play practical jokes on the head coach. But with a special occasion at hand, LeBron James broke ranks Thursday and put on a little show for his teammates at coach Mike Brown's expense. James broke into a full-blown imitation of the Cavaliers coach and all his idiosyncrasies on the sidelines, in huddles and in practice. "It caught me off guard and it was extremely funny," Brown said. "He has all of my quirks down to a science. Normally, I don't fall victim to that sort of stuff but I had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide." The Cavs, who host the Detroit Pistons tonight, were in a jovial mood as they are riding a five-game win streak. But ..."
Zydrunas Ilgauskas' agent says the center plans on rejoining Cleveland Cavaliers
Comment
March 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"He's back. Or at least he wants to be. In a move sure to delight Cavaliers fans, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has announced his intentions to rejoin the team and has asked agent Herb Rudoy to begin negotiations with the Cavs on March 22, the first date he can do so. "It is Zydrunas' desire to return to the Cavaliers if a suitable contract can be agreed upon," Rudoy said in an e-mail to reporters. "He has been overwhelmed and deeply touched by the outpouring of support and affection by the fans and by his teammates. He hopes to return to bring a championship to the Cavaliers and to the city of Cleveland.""
Cavaliers roll past hapless Nets 111-92
Comment
March 4
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Although the Cavaliers' victory over the New Jersey Nets won't exactly make for a scintillating highlight film, it does add to the win column. The best thing you can say about the 111-92 win is that it was dominant and workmanlike. There's not much else to say about a game in which the fans booed LeBron James because his slam dunks weren't stylish enough. But as the Cavs began to run away with the game early, that happened twice as he got the opportunity to make two easy baskets in transition. James finished with 26 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds. The Cavs put the Nets away early, building a 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter and extending their winning streak to five ..."
Former Cavs teammates visit Ilgauskas
Comment
March 4
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Sometimes a personal touch can make a difference. That's what could be the deciding factor when former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas decides for whom he will play in the coming weeks. Upon arriving in the New York area Monday, Ilgauskas' former teammates Anthony Parker and Anderson Varejao along with a couple of other Cavs visited him in his Manhattan apartment, said a source with knowledge of the situation. Ilgauskas' agent, Herb Rudoy, also confirmed that center Shaquille O'Neal had talked to his former backup on the phone in recent days and that General Manager Danny Ferry also visited him in person. Ferry traded Ilgauskas to the Washington Wizards the day before the trading ..."
Formal return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas may not come quickly
Comment
March 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Slow down, Cavaliers fans. Slow down. It is obvious from your calls, letters and emails how much you miss Zydrunas Ilgauskas and how much you want him back. The volume of communication has picked up since Shaquille O'Neal went out with his injured right thumb. While the Cavs share your opinion and seem to have made some progress in wooing Ilgauskas back to Cleveland, it's entirely possible than any announcement of an agreement won't be until much closer to the March 22 date that he is eligible to re-sign with the Cavs. No, he can't sign before that. No, he can't work out with the team until after he signs -- even though he is a free agent after being bought out and waived by the Wizards. ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers ride first-quarter onslaught to easy romp over New Jersey, 111-92
Comment
March 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"New Jersey Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe knew it was going to be a long night. OK, he probably knew that driving in to the arena, but when the Cavaliers jumped out to a 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter, whatever slim chance the Nets had was gone. "Right now this is the best team in the league, and you can not spot them 20 point in the first quarter and expect to win," Vandeweghe said after the Cavs' 111-92 victory Wednesday night at IZOD Center. Even Nets co-owner and LeBron James pal Jay-Z sat this one out. Wise man. The show the Cavs put on in the first quarter rivaled the one Jay-Z put on at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. "Five stars, two thumbs up," James ..."
It's far-fetched, but Lakers could be fit for a King
Comment
March 4
L.A. Daily News
 columnist Vincent Bonsignore
"LeBron James playing for the Lakers next year is such a far-fetched, preposterous, outlandish fantasy we have no other choice but to completely and utterly embrace it. And we have every right to, every reason to, because this is Hollywood. Crazy, whimsical dreams like this come true all the time for the Lakers. Just look at their history. They acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the greatest player in the game at the time, from Milwaukee for four players in 1975. They lucked into Magic Johnson and James Worthy after acquiring draft picks (which turned out to be No.1s overall) from lowly Utah and Cleveland. The Lakers have always been fortunate like that, and probably always will be. It's part of ..."
Business pitch could lure LeBron
Comment
March 4
New York Post
 columnist George Willis
"LeBron James' on- court skills were in full display last night at the Meadowlands, where his array of dunks and jump shots produced 26 points as the Cavaliers whipped the Nets, 111-92. Those skills will be in high demand when James becomes a free agent this summer when plenty of teams like the Knicks and Nets will be bidding for his services. But if there's any real chance of him leaving Cleveland and making this area his new residence, it might be better to appeal to LeBron James the businessman than the basketball player. James fancies himself as sports' next business mogul. Already earning nearly $30 million annually in endorsements, he gets financial advice from Warren Buffett and has ..."
LeBron James puts on show as Cleveland Cavaliers cruise to 111-92 win over New Jersey Nets
Comment
March 4
New York Daily News
 
"LeBron James's agent, Leon Rose, was sitting in the front-row seats right next to the Nets' bench Wednesday night, and after what he witnessed, that may be as close as the Nets get to negotiating with him. Like the Knicks a couple of nights before, the Nets failed in their bid to impress James one last time. Even though they kept it closer than the 31-point debacle the Knicks experienced on Monday, the Nets still allowed the Cavaliers to cruise to a 111-92 win at the Meadowlands. James will not visit the arena again, as the Nets will make a temporary move to Newark next season on their way to Brooklyn. The Nets are hoping that James will be with them when they move into their new homes, ..."
Formal return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas may not come quickly
Comment
March 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Slow down, Cavaliers fans. Slow down. It is obvious from your calls, letters and emails how much you miss Zydrunas Ilgauskas and how much you want him back. The volume of communication has picked up since Shaquille O'Neal went out with his injured right thumb. While the Cavs share your opinion and seem to have made some progress in wooing Ilgauskas back to Cleveland, it's entirely possible than any announcement of an agreement won't be until much closer to the March 22 date that he is eligible to re-sign with the Cavs. No, he can't sign before that. No, he can't work out with the team until after he signs -- even though he is a free agent after being bought out and waived by the Wizards. ..."
Anderson Varejao makes dirtiest player list
Comment
March 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Based on a survey of 173 NBA players in a Sports Illustrated poll, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao came in fourth as one of the dirtiest players in the NBA. Tough guy Reggie Evans of the Toronto Raptors received 21 percent of the votes, followed by Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers with 13 percent, Andres Nocioni of the Sacramento Kings with 6 percent, followed by Varejao at 5 percent."
Cavs' offense has busy February
Comment
March 3
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The last thing anyone would expect from a team coached by Mike Brown is an offensive attack that averages better than 107 points per game. During February, that is actually what the Cavaliers did. They put up 107.5 points per game on their way to an 8-3 record, their best monthly output on offense since February 1993 when they averaged 109.1 points. ''We have some tremendous scorers on this team and some tremendous play-makers. Playing with LeBron on this team is like playing with [Steve] Nash,'' Brown said. ''He's an unselfish guy and everyone feeds off of that. When you have the shooters and scorers we have, you're going to put some points on the board.'' Look a little deeper, and the ..."
'Fearless' J.J. Hickson accepts new role as Cleveland Cavaliers' fill-in pivot
Comment
March 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Right now, J.J. Hickson is functioning as a 6-9, 240-pound Band-Aid covering a 7-1, 325-pound hole. A perfect fit? No, but it is going to have to do for the Cavaliers as Hickson has drawn the unenviable task of being the fourth player to start at center this season. His first foray into the role was a success, with 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in the Cavs' blowout win over the Knicks on Monday. But the Knicks don't use a true center, unlike Wednesday's matchup in New Jersey against the Nets' 7-foot prodigy Brook Lopez. When the Cavs had two 7-foot centers to match up with Lopez in the three previous meetings this season, all he did was average 21.7 points and 12 rebounds. Now ..."
Cavaliers reach out to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, reportedly he wants to return to team
Comment
March 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Just in case he'd forgotten, the Cavaliers gave Zydrunas Ilgauskas a collective hug over the past two days. The actions might have him on the cusp of making a commitment to become a Cav once again. According to league sources, shortly after Ilgauskas cleared waivers and became a free agent Monday afternoon, the team swung into action. After not speaking with him since he was traded Feb. 17, Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry flew to New York after being with Shaquille O'Neal for his thumb surgery in Baltimore on Monday morning. Sources said Ferry met with Ilgauskas, who has been working out for the past week in New York, where he maintains an off-season home. It is believed Ferry made ..."
It's LeBron James or else for the Knicks
Comment
March 2
Bergen Record
 columnist Steve Adamek
"What if LeBron doesn't sign with the Knicks this summer? Or Dwyane Wade? Or Chris Bosh? What if Donnie Walsh has to choose from Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Rudy Gay (a restricted free agent) and the Summer of 2010's "leftovers"? Should he go all in then? Would his 2010 cap-clearing strategy be a failure if he doesn't sign one (if not two) of the "big fish?" Or should he save some coin until 2011, when Carmelo Anthony heads a less-deep free agent class? We know what most fans think: LeBron James had better be wearing No. 23 in white when the Knicks open next season at the Garden. They didn't deal with two seasons of misery — a whole decade of it, actually — for Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay. ..."
Cavs attack without Shaq, defeat Knicks 124-93
Comment
March 2
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"With Shaquille O'Neal sidelined for eight weeks after surgery on his right thumb, the Cavaliers proved they will be able to adjust without him. After shifting second-year man J.J. Hickson into the starting center's role, the evidence was crystal clear — at least against the New York Knicks. Hickson's athleticism and familiarity in a starting role helped the Cavs to a 124-93 win in front of a sold-out crowd at Quicken Loans Arena on Monday night. ''When he's out on that floor with LeBron [James] especially, he's extremely active and his activity is something that gives us a lift on both ends of the floor,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said of Hickson's performance. Hickson scored 17 points and ..."
Shaq has successful surgery, is expected to return for playoffs
Comment
March 2
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"O'Neal injured the hand against the Boston Celtics Thursday night. Team officials estimated that he will miss eight weeks, meaning he will miss the rest of the regular season and should be back during the playoffs. ''The doctors were very pleased with the surgery this morning. He will be in a splint for the next two weeks,'' Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said. ''From there, he starts the process of physical therapy so that he can be at full strength and back on the court during the playoffs.'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said O'Neal's teammates had the expected reaction. ''They were down and sad for Shaq as an individual, but it's part of the game. I think everybody understood that,'' Brown ..."
Cleveland Cavaliers deliver a thorough throttling of the 'wait 'til next year' Knicks, 124-93
Comment
March 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It may hold promise, it could mean re-birth and it might scare some Cavaliers fans, but ultimately salary cap space doesn't show up in the box score. That's a lesson that the Knicks have been swallowing just about every night for the last two years and they took it again Monday night one more time from a team they would dearly love to plunder. Looking like a collection of guys playing out the string of their contracts, the New York Knicks were throttled by the Cavs, 124-93. It was a three-game season series sweep for the Cavs (47-14), who collected their fourth straight win and eighth in row against the Knicks (20-39) dating back two seasons. The next time the teams meet -- which will be ..."
James' response to T-Mac e-mail about coming to NY: LOL
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March 2
New York Post
 
"Tracy McGrady has already e-mailed LeBron James an overture to join him in New York next season. But James will have to see more from T-Mac for his New York presence to be a draw. Following McGrady's listless six-point, 25-minute performance, James saw the rust. "He looked like a guy who hasn't played much," James said after the Cavaliers crushed the Knicks 124-93 last night. "It doesn't matter how much rehab you do, how much working out you do. You have to be out on the court, because game-time stamina is totally different. He's still shooting extremely well. He still can play point forward as he always had. But he's still getting his legs back. The last 20 games will help him, help him a ..."
LeBron James files application for No. 6 jersey for the 2010-11 season
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March 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"LeBron James fans, get ready to make some room in your closet for No. 6 jerseys. James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he's filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday. James first brought up the idea in November, saying he wanted to give up No. 23 out of respect to his hero, Michael Jordan. At that time he said he was "50/50" on switching to No. 6, his Olympic number and the day of the month his first son was born. That now seems to be 100 percent. "I've done it," James said. "I already sent it in. I'm going to be No. 6." The NBA ..."
Shaquille O'Neal's thumb surgery successful, Cleveland Cavaliers expect him to miss 8 weeks
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March 1
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Shaquille O'Neal is out of surgery and it was successful, which is the good news. The bad news is that the procedure Dr. Thomas Graham and Cavs team physician Dr. Richard Parker performed Monday morning in Baltimore on O'Neal's right thumb ended his regular season. In announcing that O'Neal was out of surgery, the Cavaliers finally put a timetable on O'Neal's recovery. The team expects him to miss approximately eight weeks. That two-month window would likely knock O'Neal out of the first round of the playoffs as well as the 22 remaining games in the season. "The doctors were very pleased with the surgery this morning," Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said in statement. "He will be in a ..."
Shaquille O'Neal has surgery on thumb, out 8 weeks
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March 1
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal had successful surgery on his right thumb this morning in Baltimore, the team announced today. In a statement, the Cavs say O'Neal will be out for about eight weeks, which means he could miss the start of the playoffs."
Tracy McGrady puts out welcome mat for LeBron James
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March 1
Bergen Record
 
"Given the opportunity on July 1, and if the Knicks still want him after this season, Tracy McGrady gladly will do all he can to bring LeBron James to New York. But tonight in Cleveland, where the two teams meet for the final time this season, it won't be about trying to impress "King James," as McGrady called him Sunday, a first time for the newest Knick and the last time for his new team. That's because he and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't believe that will matter. "Nobody knows what LeBron James is going to do but LeBron James," said McGrady, who expects to play tonight after sitting out the second half of Saturday's 120-109 loss to Memphis with stiffness and soreness in his ..."