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Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:58 p.m. EDT, Oct 06, 2009
CLEVELAND: Cavaliers fans finally got a look at what life will be like on the court when LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal play together.
The two made their preseason debut at Quicken Loans Arena in a 92-87 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.
James and second-year forward J.J. Hickson led the Cavs with 15 points each, and D.J. Augustin led Charlotte with 12.
What fans saw was a team that has begun to develop chemistry — especially in the case of O'Neal and James. O'Neal also showed his teammates that he possesses other skills, including the ability to pass the ball, catching Anderson Varejao off guard with one in the first half.
O'Neal only scored six points in 16 minutes, but was victimized by bad bounces around the basket.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was happy with the way Hickson played. The athleticism and power that were talked about in depth last season were on full display.
''I thought the effort was pretty good,'' Brown said. ''He's so athletic and so talented he relies on those things. He's still got to keep doing those little things that I like.''
Hickson reportedly worked out with James during the second half of the summer, and it showed as he displayed some range from the outside, a willingness to drive to the basket with authority and some creativity around the basket in getting his shot.
There were still some issues, including interior defense, but given the fact that it's the first game of the preseason and 18 guys played for the Cavs, Brown and company have plenty of time to work them out.
West doesn't play
Troubled Cavs guard Delonte West was in the locker room prior to game time, but didn't play.
It's the second time West has missed playing time in the past week. He missed the team's annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage at Rhodes Arena on Saturday.
West's re-introduction to his professional life has been tumultuous at best. Just prior to West's return to Cleveland, Upper Marlboro, Md., police arrested him on weapons charges.
West, who has consistently battled mental-health issues, will be away from the team while he continues to do what he needs to get better, according to a source.
''I'm confident that he'll utilize it just like he did it last year and those things will get him back on track and he'll do what he needs to do,'' Brown said.
GMs predict future?
If Cavs fans were expecting that everyone would view the coming of O'Neal as an easy entry to a championship, a survey of NBA general managers will dampen that.
Just 17.9 percent of the league's GMs expect the Cavs to win the NBA title this year and that ties the Cavs with the Boston Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorite. More than 60 percent of league execs expect the Lakers to repeat.
The Cavs won't even win the Eastern Conference crown, according to those same GMs. Fifty-percent of executives expect the Celtics to take the prize. The Cavs came in at just over 42 percent.
Tuning in
Fans wanting to see how the Cavs develop during the preseason will get the chance, provided they have the right cable channels. FSOhio is broadcasting two games, NBATV will broadcast the Oct. 14 game against the Washington Wizards and HDNet, a cable channel owned by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, will air the Oct. 20 game against the Mavericks in Pittsburgh.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
CLEVELAND: Cavaliers fans finally got a look at what life will be like on the court when LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal play together.
The two made their preseason debut at Quicken Loans Arena in a 92-87 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.
James and second-year forward J.J. Hickson led the Cavs with 15 points each, and D.J. Augustin led Charlotte with 12.
What fans saw was a team that has begun to develop chemistry — especially in the case of O'Neal and James. O'Neal also showed his teammates that he possesses other skills, including the ability to pass the ball, catching Anderson Varejao off guard with one in the first half.
O'Neal only scored six points in 16 minutes, but was victimized by bad bounces around the basket.
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was happy with the way Hickson played. The athleticism and power that were talked about in depth last season were on full display.
''I thought the effort was pretty good,'' Brown said. ''He's so athletic and so talented he relies on those things. He's still got to keep doing those little things that I like.''
Hickson reportedly worked out with James during the second half of the summer, and it showed as he displayed some range from the outside, a willingness to drive to the basket with authority and some creativity around the basket in getting his shot.
There were still some issues, including interior defense, but given the fact that it's the first game of the preseason and 18 guys played for the Cavs, Brown and company have plenty of time to work them out.
West doesn't play
Troubled Cavs guard Delonte West was in the locker room prior to game time, but didn't play.
It's the second time West has missed playing time in the past week. He missed the team's annual Wine & Gold Scrimmage at Rhodes Arena on Saturday.
West's re-introduction to his professional life has been tumultuous at best. Just prior to West's return to Cleveland, Upper Marlboro, Md., police arrested him on weapons charges.
West, who has consistently battled mental-health issues, will be away from the team while he continues to do what he needs to get better, according to a source.
''I'm confident that he'll utilize it just like he did it last year and those things will get him back on track and he'll do what he needs to do,'' Brown said.
GMs predict future?
If Cavs fans were expecting that everyone would view the coming of O'Neal as an easy entry to a championship, a survey of NBA general managers will dampen that.
Just 17.9 percent of the league's GMs expect the Cavs to win the NBA title this year and that ties the Cavs with the Boston Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorite. More than 60 percent of league execs expect the Lakers to repeat.
The Cavs won't even win the Eastern Conference crown, according to those same GMs. Fifty-percent of executives expect the Celtics to take the prize. The Cavs came in at just over 42 percent.
Tuning in
Fans wanting to see how the Cavs develop during the preseason will get the chance, provided they have the right cable channels. FSOhio is broadcasting two games, NBATV will broadcast the Oct. 14 game against the Washington Wizards and HDNet, a cable channel owned by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, will air the Oct. 20 game against the Mavericks in Pittsburgh.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 07:50 AM, 10/07/2009
Easy, George, it's way too early to get too hyped up on the Cavs. . Slow your adulation. . .
alliance, oh
Posted 08:36 AM, 10/07/2009
whats up with West ?????
Akron, OH
Posted 09:24 AM, 10/07/2009
It's the Bobcats. It's preseason. It's the Beacon.
kent, oh
Posted 12:56 PM, 10/07/2009
We are winning it all this year. Heard it here first. Go Cavs!
