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Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
This is the third season veteran guard has seen his minutes diminish
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: There's no charm in this third time around for Damon Jones.
As Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has tightened his rotation for the playoffs, he has again decided to stop playing Jones. There is only enough room for four players at the guard positions, and Brown is going with Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Devin Brown and Wally Szczerbiak. Mike Brown made the same call regarding Jones in each of the past two seasons.
Jones has struggled in certain defensive situations during his time with the Cavs, which has contributed to the coach's decision. This year, however, Jones was having one of his best seasons, shooting 42 percent from 3-point range. Gibson, Szczerbiak and Devin Brown have all been struggling shooting the ball lately.
''It seems like the same trend, the only thing I can do is be ready when called upon,'' Jones said. ''I'm going to try to be a positive influence, if you try to go prove something you end up trying to do too much.''
After getting upset with being demoted last year, Jones asked General Manager Danny Ferry to trade him after the season. When he didn't get his wish over the summer, Jones took the demand public at the start of the season. He has not made much of a fuss about it during the season, but he is again not happy.
Jones did say that he will not be a distraction.
''I came here to play; I've always said that,'' Jones said. ''I'm not crying over spilled milk. The coach has a job to do and he has decisions to make and I don't think it would be fair for me to question what he does.''
In each of the past two years, though, Jones has ended up playing key roles in the playoffs. He came off the bench and made a shot to win the Cavs' Game 6 and the series against the Washington Wizards in the first round. Last year he went from being out of the rotation to playing a key role in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons.
Mike Brown isn't ruling that out, but as of right now, he is sticking with his rotation that doesn't include Jones.
''Part of it is on gut feel, some of it is on matchups, and some of it is giving it a chance,'' Brown said. ''Boobie has missed six weeks and what he's done for us in the past is huge and I've got to give him an opportunity to get that back. To me, Wally has done a good job with a lot of little things that don't show up.''
James rests
LeBron James took practice off Monday and likely will sit out the workout today, as well. The Cavs want to give him as much rest as possible because he has been battling back tightness for the past few weeks. He is hopeful that he will play when the Cavs host the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.
''I'm having a lot of treatment, we'll wait to Wednesday to see what happens,'' James said. ''A day off helps, but this is something where you need more than one day but I'll need a couple more.''
Zydrunas Ilgauskas also skipped practice Monday to rest.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: There's no charm in this third time around for Damon Jones.
Get the full article here.
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