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Coach not worried about effect of absence. LeBron also confident
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Oct 16, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: Delonte West reappeared Wednesday at the Cavaliers Cleveland Clinic Courts almost as mysteriously as he disappeared Oct. 3.
West, whom the Cavs are relying on to shore up the point guard spot and provide some flexibility in the rotation, returned to practice after what team officials deemed to be personal issues that he needed to work out. West seemed in good spirits as he went through the tail end of practice laughing and joking.
Cavs officials said that West would not address the issue until he's ready, but that it was clear talking to teammates that they were happy to have him back.
''Like I said before, he's a big part of our team, so it's good to see him here. It's good to see him high-spirited and focused back on the game of basketball,'' LeBron James said.
West not only is a backup at the point, but he also is in the running for the two-guard spot. Coach Mike Brown likes the prospect of him and point guard Mo Williams working together. They both can push the ball up
the court faster and that can open up the offense when needed.
Brown said he wasn't aware that West would return to the team until Wednesday morning.
''You like your guys to be here every day. It just wasn't possible in this case, so the next-best-case scenario is getting here when best you can,'' he said. ''[Wednesday] was as soon as he could, so it's good to have him here.''
Brown isn't particularly worried that West is too far behind to catch up.
''He's an intelligent player. He works extremely hard,'' Brown said. ''He was here a little bit last year. There are things that we did last year that we're doing this year. I don't think it set him back that much, but obviously when you miss time, it's going to set you back a little bit.''
James said that he doesn't expect West to have a lot of trouble getting back up to speed. ''Naturally, when you're out a long period of time, you will be a step back. But we have a veteran ball club and he knows the system, so it won't take him too long.''
Sasha's back, too
Sasha Pavlovic, who'll also be battling for that two-guard spot that Brown said remains a wide-open competition, was on the floor for a full workout Wednesday.
''This is my first practice, but I feel pretty good,'' he said. ''[My ankle is] just a bit sore and when I warm up, it feels pretty good.''
Whether he plays depends on how he feels this morning. Pavlovic knows that the injury might have hurt his chances for the starting job, but he maintains a positive attitude.
''I just don't want to think about it. I just try to think positive,'' he said. ''That's what happens. I came back in great shape, I twisted an ankle. It's a little step back for me, but I'm going to fight back.
''I'm going to try to do whatever coach wants me to do and I'm going to fight for my spot. Whatever helps this team win games, I'm going to do it.''
The big fat doughnut
The Cavaliers are well aware that their preseason record stands at 0-3, but they're not worried about it.
''We're just going to continue to get better through our preseason; that's all we're worried about,'' James said. ''Wins and losses? It matters, but not as much as the regular season, but we continue to get better, so that's all that matters.''
Brown agreed.
''I like to win,'' he said. ''I love to win, even though it's preseason, but [we've] also played the world champions, but I'm not going to put LeBron back in the game, [Zydrunas Ilgauskas] or anybody like that in to win.''
The Cavs have actually played well, considering that two of their losses were against the Boston Celtics, and that the score remained close despite rookies J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson playing extended amounts of time.
FSN unleashes HD
FSN Ohio will broadcast 65 of its 70 games in high definition, the regional cable network announced Wednesday. Last year, FSN Ohio aired just 32 games in HD.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net Read the cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: Delonte West reappeared Wednesday at the Cavaliers Cleveland Clinic Courts almost as mysteriously as he disappeared Oct. 3.
Get the full article here.
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