Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Unusual sports bar to be sold at auction
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Circle K on Brown Street robbed
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Bank helps more save their homes
Woman says clinic refused to help her get pregnant because she's not married
Blogs:
Pets:
Officials: NYer Had 20 Dead Dogs Buried in Yard
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Time for Kokinis, Browns to agree and part ways
Akron Zips:
Zips tip off tomorrow
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Louisville’s Bobby Swigert headed to Boston College
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Abortion Analogies
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
Point guard Williams might have what it takes to give Cavs first title
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Oct 04, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: When asked about new point guard Mo Williams, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had a quick reply: ''He looks easier to guard.''
Williams, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks, lit up the Cavaliers last season. In four appearances against the Cavs, Williams, 25, averaged 26 points, shot 50 percent and averaged nine assists. He averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists per game overall last season.
Some fans and NBA experts contend that Williams, whom General Manager Danny Ferry acquired in August, might be the missing piece in a puzzle that gives the Cavaliers their first NBA title.
''That's what they say. I think this team was pretty [darn] good without me, so I'm just trying to fit in a little bit and bring my talent to an already talented team,'' said Williams, who is entering his sixth season in the NBA. ''I think a lot of guys do a lot of different things well, and I think we have one of the greats, so I think that only helps the transition for myself.''
Yes, playing with LeBron James will make things easier, but there still will be a transitional period, primarily because the Bucks played a freewheeling offense with a defense-optional mentality.
It sounds as if Williams, who played his rookie season with the Utah Jazz, craves that type of structure.
''It's a difference. It's a different atmosphere obviously, but at the same time playing for a coach that's really specific on details isn't new to me,'' he said.
''Going back to [Jazz coach] Jerry Sloan, that was the last coach that really knew his craft and [taught] me. I'm having fun again playing the game, so it is different.''
Brown's system with the Cavs stresses defense first.
''In a system, you find your spots and a system is supposed to help you excel in your game, so I'm going to be in the same situation I was in Milwaukee,'' he said. ''But I'm going to know where guys are on the floor and I'm going to know where to be on the floor in situations.''
He doesn't think getting to know James' game will be a problem.
''It won't take long. It's easy to develop chemistry with LeBron; he's a great player,'' Williams said. ''Just give him the ball. Realistically, we're going to have to get our thing down. That's the communication we're doing right now; even in practice.''
James expressed a lot of respect for Williams.
''Mo Williams is an unbelievable talent,'' James said. ''If you could watch any film of what he did to us last year in four games, it was like, 'Wow, I didn't know if he had something against us or he was sending us a smoke signal to go get him in a trade.' He sent a good signal though.''
Brown said Williams has shown something in a short time with the team.
''He's a terrific shooter. He's a guy who can create off the dribble for himself or for his teammates,'' Brown said. ''Just from the short amount of time that I've been with him, he seems like he has a nice grasp on the game. He's intelligent and other things will come out as we go along, but he's all the things that sitting on the other side of the floor and getting torched by him I had a feel for anyway.''
Scrimmage at Rhodes
The Cavaliers will hold their annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage at noon today at Rhodes Arena. A fanfest will begin at 11 a.m. with appearances by the Cavaliers Girls, the Scream Team and the team mascot, Moondog.
James rocks vote
James, along with the Browns' Willie McGinest and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, will appear at the Ohio Campaign for Change rally at 3 p.m. at Willard Park at Ninth Street and Lakeside Avenue to promote voter registration.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net.
INDEPENDENCE: When asked about new point guard Mo Williams, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown had a quick reply: ''He looks easier to guard.''
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
