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Timing was off; famous form returns in his latest outings
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
INDEPENDENCE: The hair was always the same, now the play is, too.
When Anderson Varejao returned to the Cavaliers three weeks ago after his, ahem, extended contractual absence, there was no warm-up time. Cavs coach Mike Brown threw him into the mix after just two practices, his training camp was going to come in live action.
It looked liked it. Varejao's put up decent statistics, but it was easy to see his timing was off. He was routinely getting position for rebounds and not getting them as he misjudged the bounces. Loose balls in his area that he usually gobbles up were slipping past him.
''He said to me after several games that the speed of the game was so fast for him,'' Brown said Wednesday before the Cavs left for Dallas for tonight's matchup with the Mavericks. ''He's gotten to the point, I think, that he's starting to catch up with it.''
The last three games have suggested as much. Starting with the Cavs' victory last week over the Los Angeles Lakers, Varejao just seemed more in control of his always moving limbs. He played well in that game and has kept it up, putting together three solid performances that have him showing his old famous form.
After scoring a season-high 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds in Tuesday's victory over the Miami Heat, Varejao is averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds over the last three games.
''I feel pretty good, I think I'm getting better every day,'' said Varejao, who is averaging eight points and eight rebounds a game so far.
''It was normal (to have a slow start), I didn't play basketball games for five or six months.''
The scoring is a little above his normal pace, which can be attributed to his ability to finish around the basket. He's shooting 63 percent over the last three games and 58 percent in his eight games with the team.
''I was able to work a lot on my offensive game over the summer and I'm trying to add that to my game,'' Varejao said. ''I want to be a part of the team on offense just as well as defense.''
When Varejao is able to score around the rim, it bumps up the Cavs' offensive efficiency. Big men Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden often run so-called pick-and-pops with LeBron James. They'll set a screen for James and then pop out for a jump shot. Varejao is a pure pick-and-roll player, he screens and goes to the basket. At times, his activity with James in high pick-and-rolls causes problems for opposing teams, especially when Varejao is able to finish.
''When you have a guy like Andy, he'll roll to the hole and he'll get a payoff from LeBron because he can throw over the double team,'' Brown said. ''He gives us a completely different look.''
Marshall progressing
Donyell Marshall, who has been out seven weeks with a sprained right wrist, has started to do some shooting again with a wrap on his wrist and hand. He's not close to returning and is still three weeks away from the projected date, but after not being able to do much with a basketball he is on the right track.
''It's definitely sore afterwards, I have to continue to ice it and continue to do treatment,'' Marshall said. ''There's times when it feels great, there's times when you can still feel it slipping off your hand, not being used to the wrap. I'm trying to get comfortable. It's coming back slowly.''
Winter of discontent
Damon Jones' displeasure over his removal from the Cavs rotation is continuing to simmer. Jones told the Palm Beach Post for Wednesday's editions that he wants to be traded to the Miami Heat, where he was very successful in the 2004-05 season. When Brown called for him to be sent into the blowout Tuesday with 57 seconds to play, he flatly declined. After that move, it wouldn't be surprising if Jones was deactivated in upcoming games. Jones is second on the team in 3-point shooting at 38 percent. He publicly asked for a trade at the beginning of the season.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: The hair was always the same, now the play is, too.
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