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For Cavs' Szczerbiak, shooting touch seems to be coming back, too
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Friday, Apr 11, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: Wally Szczerbiak finally has his team back.
Wednesday was a big day for the Cavaliers guard, in fact it was a big day for the Szczerbiak family. After being apart after his trade to the Cavs from the Seattle SuperSonics and then the birth of his son, Maximus, the family was finally reunited in Cleveland.
His wife, Shannon, two daughters and newborn son had been living in New York until Max was old enough to travel. Szczerbiak had been living in a Cleveland hotel. They now have rented a home, and all attended the game Wednesday, when a more relaxed Szczerbiak had one of his best games with the Cavs with 14 points in their 21-point win over the New Jersey Nets.
''It's really great to have them here,'' Szczerbiak said. ''I missed them a lot.''
Szczerbiak is hoping having his family back with him for the playoffs will make him more comfortable. He has been trying to find that level for the past six weeks, dealing with a shooting slump that he is finally emerging from.
In the past four games, he is averaging 9.5 points and shooting 50 percent from the field, and he seems to be better choosing his shots within the Cavs' offense. At times early on, he
seemed to force them and now is finding spots to spot up.
''I just tried to stay positive and never doubt myself,'' Szczerbiak said. ''I've been a pretty good player in this league for a lot of years, and I had the feeling that it was going to come around as long as I continued to keep working.''
He already has shown that he can be an emotional player; his reactions after makes and misses in the heat of the game are often visible. After that, having Cavs coach Mike Brown stick with him when Brown narrowed his rotation two weeks ago was a boost to him.
''Honestly, it is nice to know that my coaches and my teammates have faith in me,'' Szczerbiak said. ''That is a big part of it.''
West stays warm
After coming back from tendinitis in his ankle, Delonte West has played very well. He's averaged 14 points, 5.6 assists and four rebounds in his past five games. He has really found his shooting touch, making 53 percent during that stretch. He has made 9-of-20 3-pointers during that span, as well.
Dribbles
Keeping with what has become custom, the Cavs sat LeBron James out of practice Thursday to give his back some rest. He has not practiced much in the past few weeks. He is probable against the Chicago Bulls tonight. . . . Damon Jones had an MRI on his knees, which have been bothering him, and it confirmed he has tendinitis. He also did not practice, but is expected to be on the active roster tonight. . . . The Cavs did not sell out the game Wednesday, breaking a streak of 23 consecutive sellouts.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: Wally Szczerbiak finally has his team back.
Get the full article here.

