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Pluto On Irving, Gibson, Impending Free Agents

March 16th, 2013 at 11:19pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto believes that the Cavaliers will have to tread carefully with Kyrie Irving's health, as he says that the young star has missed a significant amount of time over his first two seasons due to several different basketball-related injuries. Whether it involves reducing his minutes or learning how to manage his game to take less hits, Irving's durability will have to take top priority for Byron Scott and the organization, opines Pluto. Here are a handful of more significant notes about the Cavs from his column on Cleveland sports:

The team will likely part ways with Daniel Gibson this summer, when the 6'2 guard is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Wayne Ellington, a restricted free agent, will probably be re-signed.
C.J. Miles has a $2.25MM team option and will likely be kept.
Whether or not the Cavaliers keep Shaun Livingston will depend on the price that the market sets for him.
While Dion Waiters is still prone to making rookie mistakes, the rookie out of Syracuse has made noticeable improvements over the course of the season. With Kyrie out of the lineup, Pluto thinks this will be a key opportunity for Waiters to handle the ball more.
Although the team's biggest needs include a small forward or a big man, Irving's injuries may prompt the team to draft a guard in June.

Pacific Notes: Warriors, Kobe, Richmond, Kings

March 8th, 2013 at 9:18am CST by Luke Adams

Following their loss last night in Denver, the Clippers added a 15th man to their roster, signing ex-Sixer Maalik Wayns to a 10-day contract. That's the top headline out of the Pacific so far today, but let's check in on a few other stories from the Clips' division rivals….

Warriors sources recognize that the team could use an "explosive offensive player" who can make plays off the dribble, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. That's one of the reasons Golden State had interest in Dion Waiters at last year's draft, says Kawakami.
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, Kobe Bryant was asked when he'll retire and said it would happen "soon," although he didn't specify exactly how soon, as Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register writes.
Mitch Richmond isn't just hoping to keep the Kings in Sacramento and invest in the franchise. He's also eyeing a possible front-office position, writes Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
Dale Kasler, Ryan Lillis, and Tony Bizjak of the Sacramento Bee have the latest details on the Sacramento group's PR effort in its quest to save the Kings.

Cavs Notes: Waiters, Zeller, Varejao

March 2nd, 2013 at 5:26pm CST by Sean Highkin

A roundup of the latest updates on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday evening:

Dion Waiters praises the development and chemistry of his teammates after being named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer.
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that the rising value of first-round draft picks under the new CBA increases the likelihood the Cavs can pull off a trade similar to the one they made for Tyler Zeller.
Injured big man Anderson Varejao discusses his relationship with former Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with Jodie Valade of the Plain Dealer.

Amico On Cavs, Waiters, Varejao, Gee

November 24th, 2012 at 11:44am CST by Sean Highkin

Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com has a new notebook column covering several topics relating to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are the highlights:

Although the Cavs are struggling, Amico believes that it is part of the process the team will have to go through to get better.
Amico cautions readers that, although rookie Dion Waiters has shown flashes, he will take time to mature and develop into a consistent NBA player.
Amico doesn't believe the Cavs would be smart to trade Anderson Varejao, citing his outstanding production this season and his importance to the team's stability following LeBron James' departure in 2010.
Alonzo Gee, re-signed to a three-year deal this summer, has been inconsistent this season, according to Amico.

Cavs Notes: West, Waiters, Draft Picks

November 18th, 2012 at 1:38pm CST by Sean Highkin

The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled out of the gate to a 2-7 record, in spite of outstanding play from 2012 Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and a resurgence from Anderson Varejao. Here are a few tidbits on the Cavs on Sunday afternoon:

The Cavs aren't pleased with the production they're getting out of their bench, but they won't reach out to Delonte West to improve their second unit, and no free agent signing is on the horizon, according to Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer.
Schmitt Boyer cautions readers that consistency cannot be expected right away from rookie Dion Waiters, and it will take time for the fourth pick in the 2012 draft to get comfortable in the NBA.
As part of the same mailbag, Schmitt Boyer also breaks down the protection on draft picks owed to the Cavs from the Kings, Heat, and Lakers.

Poll: Most Impressive Rookie

November 2nd, 2012 at 5:51pm CST by Sean Highkin

Through three days of the NBA season, most of the heavily hyped rookies have made their debuts. In particular, five have had standout first games as pros: New Orleans' No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, Washington's No. 3 overall pick Bradley Beal, Cleveland's No. 4 overall pick Dion Waiters, Portland's No. 6 overall pick Damian Lillard, and Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas, drafted in 2011. Charlotte's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist makes his debut tonight.

Which of the five rookies who have made an impact so far have impressed you the most?

Central Notes: Waiters, Bucks, Young

October 8th, 2012 at 9:20pm CST by Michael Pina

Here are a few notes from around the NBA's Central Division.

Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott has told Dion Waiters—who Cleveland selected with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft—he will have to earn a spot in the team's starting rotation, reports FoxSportsOhio.com's Sam Amico.
NBA.com's Truman Reed believes that if the Bucks can replicate their defensive performance from two seasons ago, then combine it with their offensive output last year, they'll make the playoffs in 2012/13.
Mark Montieth from Pacers.com writes that the newly acquired Sam Young could embrace a role on the team as a strong wing defender, especially with a player like LeBron James looming in the playoffs.

Central Notes: Bulls, Pacers, Cavs, Pistons

October 4th, 2012 at 6:14pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Shams Charania of RealGM had a few interesting tidbits to relay from Bulls camp, writing about how coach Tom Thibodeau personally recruited Nate Robinson, Andre Emmett's fight to earn a contract during training camp and his willingness to sign with the team at any point during the season, and coach Thibodeau's aim to maintain Joakim Noah's minutes during the season. We have quite a few more links to share with news from the Central Division…

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune notes that despite losing many rotation players from last year's team, Thibodeau likes the versatility of the team's new additions and the flexibility of the roster overall.
Pacers insider Mike Wells of IndyStar.com breaks down what he will pay attention to during the team's scrimmage on Friday, particularly Roy Hibbert's positioning, the play of the reserves, Paul George's ball-handling, and how the rookies fare.
Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio listed some of his early observations from Cavaliers training camp early on, saying that Dion Waiters' conditioning is not an issue, C.J. Miles is standing out as a perimeter shooting threat, Samardo Samuels and Jon Leuer appear to have earned significant roles, and that the team will have tough roster decisions to make by the end of camp.
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott appears especially impressed with Leuer, who the team had claimed off waivers in July. "I just don't think he knows how good he can be," said Scott (according to a tweet by Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer). Jason Lloyd of the Beacon Journal elaborates about Samuels' hard work this past summer, shedding 20 pounds since the end of last season and has cut down his body fat from 15 percent to between six and seven percent.
Jonny Flynn and Terrence Williams, the sixth and ninth picks of the 2009 NBA draft respectively, find themselves vying for guaranteed contracts on the Pistons roster. David Mayo of MLive.com writes about their thoughts on the opportunity as well as head coach Lawrence Frank's firm belief that both are NBA players. Frank says that he's liked what he's seen from Flynn and Williams in camp so far, even pointing out that he sees Williams as a point guard (and not a wing player).

Odds & Ends: Morrison, Turkoglu, Lin, Ginobili

October 1st, 2012 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few odds and ends from a busy day around the NBA….

Blazers coach Terry Stotts told the media today that summer signee Adam Morrison has a "legitimate" chance to make the team, according to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge (Twitter link).
Hedo Turkoglu says he'd like to finish his career with the Magic, tweets Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Asked about the Knicks' decision to let Jeremy Lin walk in July, GM Glen Grunwald told the media that the Rockets made a commitment to Lin that New York wasn't prepared to make, and that Raymond Felton was a better fit for the Knicks. Marc Berman of the New York Post has the quotes.
Manu Ginobili expects to return to the Spurs if he continues playing when his contract expires at season's end, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal poses five burning questions facing the Cavaliers heading into the 2012/13 season. Among Lloyd's five: Whether Dion Waiters was the right choice in June's draft, and whether Anderson Varejao will finish the year with the Cavs.
Ben Wallace won't be in camp with the Pistons, since the team doesn't want to put him a position where it may have to cut him, tweets Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.
Appearing on KJR in Seattle, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he didn't think any NBA owner would stand in the way of the city of Seattle getting another NBA franchise (link via Sports Radio Interviews).
Former NBA veteran Jayson Williams tells ESPN.com's Matt Wong that he's healthy and misses the NBA, but stopped short of saying he's interested in making a comeback.

Waiters On Irving, Playoffs, Expectations

September 22nd, 2012 at 7:33pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld shed some light on Dion Waiters, who was selected with Cleveland's fourth overall pick in this year's draft. The former Syracuse standout averaged 12.3 PPG in three games during the Las Vegas Summer League and drew praise last month from head coach Byron Scott for appearing to have improved his conditioning level since then. Waiters says that he is now in Cleveland working out with teammates and is determined to prove that the Cavaliers made the right decision in drafting him. Here are some more of the highlights from Waiters' interview with HoopsWorld.

On being able to play along side Kyrie Irving:

“Potential wise, the sky is the limit for us…We’re still young and we’re still getting better every day. We’re building on the bond that we already had. Coming out of high school together, we clicked right away and we were always together. We met in tenth grade and from that day on, we’ve been close friends. When we get on the court, it’s all about how we can make each other better. We’re going to push each other.”

On how his game will adapt to the NBA:

“I think [my game translates well to the NBA]. There’s more space and you have to be able to break your man down and get to the basket, which I can do well.”

Regarding his expectations for the Cavaliers this season:

“Hopefully we can make the playoffs…We want to achieve that. We have to work our way up to that next level. That’s the main thing. For us to do that, it’ll take hard work, dedication and sacrifice. Everybody has one goal in mind and that’s to make the playoffs. We’re young, but we’re going to do whatever it takes to get there and keep building off of each other. Hopefully we can get there.”

On the Rookie of the Year award:

“I try not to talk about my personal goals, but that’s definitely one of mine…Making the playoffs is the biggest thing, but I’m definitely thinking about [winning Rookie of the Year]. I have to put the work in and earn it though. It’s not just going to be given to me. I have to earn it and that’s something that I’m going to try to do, game in and game out.”