It will be impossible to ignore what he's going to do, or what he's already done for that matter.Originally Posted by NickyTooch
It will be impossible to ignore what he's going to do, or what he's already done for that matter.
it wont mean anything to anyone unless he does it in either New York or Dallas
NBA visits Pittsburgh; Cavaliers, James try different approach
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Cleveland Cavaliers have played different styles in each of Mike Brown's previous three seasons as coach. Personnel has changed each season and the Cavaliers have played everything from a tough, grind-it-out defensive style to an up-tempo pace.
The one constant has been LeBron James. But this year, even James is different. Or at least how he is being handled in the preseason is different.
The Cavaliers are in town to play the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics tonight at the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center. Fans should know that James is expected to play, as is Boston's big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. James played 13 minutes and scored 15 points when the same two teams met Friday at Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., a 96-94 Boston victory.
"Unless he gets injured in practice [yesterday], he's doing to play," Brown said of James. "How many minutes? We're not sure."
James, who led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals two years ago, was a big part of the U.S. team's run to the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics this summer. The team trained hard throughout the summer and the Olympics weren't until August. That's why James is being handled a little differently this year, although Brown said James doesn't seem tired.
"He's probably not going to play every preseason game. He may sit a game," Brown said. "He and I sat down and put together a basic plan on how to integrate him into ourselves this season. Yes, he's big and strong and all of that, but we don't want to wear him out. Not just for this year, but for the long term. We want him ready come playoff time. The last three years, he's played summer basketball [for U.S. teams] and they go hard.
"He needs some rest. We'll slowly build up his stamina throughout the preseason. You always want to win when you step onto the floor, but even if you don't win, you can still get better offensively and defensively. Resting him right now is more important than winning."
Brown believes James is a slightly different player this fall.
"He's more mature and he understands how hard it is to win, and some of the little nuances you have to be able to overcome to win at the championship level," Brown said. "Going through that gold-medal performance, he was with championship players and championship coaches. Just going through that experience I think gives him more confidence and a better understanding of the next time out."
The Cavaliers have a different look again this year. The main reason is the addition of point guard Mo Williams, acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks in August. Williams has averaged 17 points and six assists the past two seasons with the Bucks, and finally could be the perfect match for James that the Cavaliers have been seeking.
When Brown took over as coach four years ago, the team was big on defense and had veterans such as Eric Snow in the backcourt with James. Now, besides Williams, the Cavaliers also have young guards such as Delonte West, Boobie Gibson and Sasha Pavlovic.
"It's been a different team every year in terms of the way we play and the style we play," Brown said. "We're different this year in that we're a lot quicker. Williams, West and Gibson -- those are three of the quickest guards in the NBA. That takes a lot of pressure off LeBron.
"I tell my players to get better over the summer, so I need to go do it, too. It starts with me and I think I got better as a coach this summer."
the cavs are moving to Baltimore
that article is a year old Art
my bad, toochski, they played the mavs in pittsburgh this year too...
Cleveland Cavaliers get serious, have no trouble with Dallas Mavericks
By Brian Windhorst
October 20, 2009, 11:44PM
Keith Srakocic / Associated PressCavaliers guard Mo Wiliams, left, battles for a loose ball Tuesday with the Mavericks' Jose Barea in the first half in Pittsburgh.PITTSBURGH -- The point the Cavaliers were trying to make Tuesday night was driven home at the expense of Matt Carroll.
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Early in the third quarter of the Cavs' 96-66 preseason win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Peterson Events Center, Carroll found himself free on what he thought was a breakaway. He should have known by looking at the scoreboard that the Cavs had gotten serious about preparing for next week's regular-season opener. But, instead, he had to learn it the hard way.
As Carroll headed for the rim, LeBron James came soaring in from behind and slammed the ball off the backboard. Carroll did a belly flop on the court, the victim of James' first "chase down" block of the season. By the time Carroll was back on his feet, Shaquille O'Neal was hanging on the rim at the other end after a dunk.
Carroll pleaded for goaltending, but James just gave him a dismissive head shake. Then, two minutes later, James swatted Carroll again from behind, perhaps just for insubordination.
"I'm getting back there," James said. "Both of them were clean."
View full sizeKeith Srakocic / Associated PressShaquille O'Neal gets a chance to relax as the Cavs get an easy preseason win at Pittsburgh.That's how it went in the sixth preseason game, when the Cavs decided to get serious in playing their front line heavy minutes for the first time.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, perhaps in a bit of gamesmanship after the Cavs rested seven of their top players last Saturday in Dallas, didn't play most of his best players, including Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. That kept the game from being close and kept the Cavs from playing their starters into the fourth quarter, which coach Mike Brown had wanted.
Regardless of his old boss' intentions, Brown treated the game like a full dress rehearsal and for the first time the team seemed to show some purpose. It was especially clear on defense as the Cavs collectively began to show effort.
They held the Mavericks to 34 percent shooting and picked off nine steals by getting into passing lanes and applying pressure in the half court.
Offensively, the Cavs took the wraps off some new looks, most of it with Mo Williams at the wheel. It turned out to be by far the most productive night individually for most players in the preseason.
Much of it started with Williams, who moved freely in the half court against the Mavericks' second string and repeatedly and easily kept setting up teammates. In 28 minutes, Williams racked up 11 assists and also scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. In all, the Cavs had 29 assists on 38 baskets and 19 fast-break points.
"We got into a little groove as a team," Williams said. "Going into a game knowing you're going to play a lot of minutes, it feels good."
The wicked blocks aside, James still looked a little less than his best as he continues to recover from the flu. He missed some good looks and even missed a dunk at one point. He finished just 3-of-13 from the field with 12 points, although he did have seven assists and two steals.
O'Neal had his lowest-scoring game of the preseason as the Cavs looked to work on offensive sets that didn't involve him as much. He finished with six points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.
After showing good form last Saturday in Dallas, Zydrunas Ilgauskas continued his solid play by scoring 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds and three blocks. He was especially effective in hitting his midrange jumper off the weak side, a look the Cavs haven't shown much in the past. Usually, they have gotten Ilgauskas looks with direct pick-and-rolls.
Anderson Varejao returned after missing two games with a wrist injury to have his best game of the preseason. Finding seams when the Mavericks loaded up on O'Neal and James, Varejao scored 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Three different times he scored and was fouled.
The Mavericks, who used just nine players, were led by Kris Humphries' 20 points.
"We're taking baby steps," Brown said. "But we're getting there."
we play exhibitions at Ohio State too and in Akron
The Cavs aren't going anywhere, and neither is Chris Johnson Nicky!
the cavs should not worry about the team moving, but if King James is leaving
Are the blue jerseys one of the Cavs regular ones now? Or do they still wear those hideous looking yellow ones?
No, those are throwback to the early 90's late 80's and Lebron came out with a new shoe for these uniforms that he was been wearing.
I liked these uniforms with the wine and gold colors.
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