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Restricted free-agent says team's support, drive to win reasons to stay
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008
CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers signed restricted free-agent guard Daniel Gibson to a five-year contract Wednesday, securing the services of someone they view as integral to the team's future success. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
''Daniel conveyed from Day One of this free-agency thing that he wanted to remain with the team and was excited about where we were going as a team and really enjoyed his two years in Cleveland thus far,'' Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry said. ''In signing him, it really allows us to maximize the opportunity to create a core of young players and, at the same time, build on the continuity that we feel could be important for teams trying to compete for a championship.''
Gibson, who suffered ankle injuries last season, averaged 10.4 points per game on 43 percent shooting, but it's his consistency from 3-point range that makes him so valuable to the Cavs.
He shot 44 percent last year from behind the arc. Since arriving in the NBA, he ranks sixth in the league in that category and second in team history.
Gibson said he wanted to come back to Cleveland for a number of reasons, including his belief that the organization is committed to winning. He said teammates offered nothing but support regarding his re-signing.
''We have a group of guys here who love to play the game and the city of Cleveland treats you like one of their own,'' he said. ''They take you and embrace you and treat you like one of your own, so it's just a blessing to be a part of it. And with the great team we have, I feel we're right there [competing for a championship].''
Priority for team
Signing Gibson before the start of the season was a priority for the team, Ferry said. He said Gibson's shooting ability and on-court energy helped to lift his teammates. He also believes Gibson will continue to grow as a player.
More important, however, it also allows the team to focus on the upcoming season — unlike last year. The Cavs arrived last season at training camp with two significant players, forward Anderson Varejao and guard Sasha Pavlovic, holding out. Neither player ever really hit his stride and, more noticeably, the chemistry developed during the Eastern Conference championship run two seasons ago never fully rematerialized.
''Every situation is different and obviously last summer was a different summer,'' Ferry said. ''This was a situation where I think we were obviously excited to have clarity on Daniel's situation with our team, and it came about through a great deal of communication and a trust that both of us wanted to make this happen and wanted to find a common ground as quickly as possible.
''There was no exact road map as to how it would all happen.''
Gibson, who missed Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals because of a shoulder separation, underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery during the offseason. He also suffered through ankle injuries during the season.
Gibson pronounced himself healthy and has been working out and playing.
''I'm feeling great. My doctor said I'm way ahead of schedule,'' he said. ''I'm back on the court, and I'm back to being me. . . . Everything is great.''
Other free agents
Gibson's signing allows the Cavs to concentrate on their other restricted free agent — point guard Delonte West, whom they acquired in a trade last season. They also have expressed interest in free agents whom Ferry declined to identify.
''Obviously Delonte is clearly a guy we have expressed interest in. . . . We like what we saw from Delonte last year,'' he said. ''We think he and the team can benefit from having an offseason together, so hopefully we can get moving forward with his contract negotiations.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net
CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers signed restricted free-agent guard Daniel Gibson to a five-year contract Wednesday, securing the services of someone they view as integral to the team's future success. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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