Cavaliers news, features and notes
- Jason Lloyd: Lottery victory brings Cavs plenty of options through trades and draft
- Cleveland Cavaliers win draft lottery, will pick No. 1 again
- Cavs win draft lottery, will pick No. 1 in NBA Draft
- NBA Draft lottery: Cavs’ third-best odds have history of turning into top selection
- 2103 NBA Scouting Combine: GlenOak graduate C.J. McCollum hopes to be a lottery pick
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine: Cleveland Cavaliers focus on drafting good players, not overall strength of draft
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine: Otto Porter seems like perfect fit for Cleveland Cavaliers but no meeting on agenda
- 2013 NBA Scouting Combine notebook: Nerlens Noel won’t play until late December but still interests Cavaliers
- Projected top pick Nerlens Noel won't be ready for start of season, targeting Christmas
- Former Ohio State star Deshaun Thomas refuses to give NBA team his phone number at combine
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Monday practice notes
Byron Scott believes the team has regressed lately, particularly the last two games. He agreed the players very well could be coasting now that the finish line is in sight, but hopes that isn't the case. The season ends in a month.
"With 17 games left in the season, you still have things to prove as a player," Scott said. "Not only to yourself and me and the coaching staff and GM and owner, but people around the league are watching, too. Obviously there's going to be a big turnover with this team next year. You want to make a good showing."
Part of the problem has been a lack of veteran leadership. Anthony Parker is a great locker room presence, but isn't exactly the type of guy to get in a teammate's face. The Cavs are desperate for someone like that now that Antawn Jamison is out likely for the season with a fractured pinky.
Jamison, incidentally, has rejoined the team and will make the West Coast trip with them this week.
"We need him around," Scott said. "These young guys need to see him every day."
Other notes:
* J.J. Hickson is the center and Samardo Samuels is the power forward for the rest of the season. The Cavs had wanted to begin a transition of Hickson back to power forward, but Scott doesn't like Hickson's shot selection lately and Samuels has held his own at forward. Scott conceded he's concerned that every time Hickson moves to forward, he begins launching long jumpers he rarely hits. "His most success this year has been at (center), so why not keep him there?" Scott said. "Long term I still think he’s a power forward in this league."
* Baron Davis could rejoin the team Thursday in Portland, Scott said. The two exchanged text messages following Sunday's loss to the Thunder. Davis said he didn't like how the team looked. Scott said he didn't, either.
