Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Citizens United v. F.E.C. (Part 4): Kennedy's and O'Connor's Basic Approaches to Constitutional Decisionmaking – Top Down and Bottom Up
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
Track HR Research
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 08:06 p.m. EST, Nov 26, 2009
Is it possible that the Cavs are preparing for life without Delonte West?
You have but to look at coach Mike Brown's rotation the past two games and see that West's minutes have declined. Wednesday against the Pistons, though active, he received a ''DNP.''
The first guard off the bench? Daniel ''Boobie'' Gibson in the place of Mo Williams.
''Although he's young, he's almost turned into a seasoned veteran because of the amount of games he's played and experiences he's gone through. He's earned whatever minutes he's gotten,'' Brown said of Gibson.
When it came time to spell Anthony Parker against Detroit, Brown turned to Jamario Moon, who is gaining more playing time because of his shooting ability and defense. It doesn't hurt that Moon is flexible, with the ability to play shooting guard or small forward, and is built the way Brown likes — big with length.
But where does that leave West? Waiting, apparently.
''Sometimes I'll play him, sometimes I won't,'' Brown said recently. ''He'll just have to be ready to help the team if his number is called and even if his number isn't called in whatever shape or form that he can.''
Brown doesn't deny that as a starter West made a mark, but his troubles off the court — including misdemeanor weapons charges in Prince Georges County, Maryland, and absences from training camp — would give any coach pause. West is expected to face a court hearing after the first of the year. At bare minimum, what Brown is doing gives him the chance to prepare for life without West.
''We as a team have to understand the situation and be ready to move forward, whether he plays or doesn't play,'' he said. ''I'm focusing on the team more than anything else.''
That shouldn't be construed as Brown or the Cavs giving up on West. Far from it, in fact.
''He was a starter for us last year and the year before and he had an impact on what we did. The sooner he can get back, the better for us and him,'' Brown said.
Winning starts
The Pistons broke a remarkable string of first quarters by the Cavaliers. Prior to being held to 28 points in the first quarter Wednesday night, the Cavaliers enjoyed a string of nine consecutive games of having tallied 32 points or more in the first quarter. Going into the Pistons game, the team led the league in first-quarter scoring, averaging 30.6 points. Their 58 percent shooting percentage in the quarter also led the league. The team has won 12-of-15 first quarters on the season, also a league best.
Fourth-quarter press
Middle-game lapses aside, the Cavaliers have shown that they know how and when to turn the screws to clamp down on opposing teams.
The Pistons shot just 20 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive game the Cavaliers held an opponent to 25 percent shooting or less in the fourth quarter.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/thomas. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CavsABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
Is it possible that the Cavs are preparing for life without Delonte West?
You have but to look at coach Mike Brown's rotation the past two games and see that West's minutes have declined. Wednesday against the Pistons, though active, he received a ''DNP.''
The first guard off the bench? Daniel ''Boobie'' Gibson in the place of Mo Williams.
''Although he's young, he's almost turned into a seasoned veteran because of the amount of games he's played and experiences he's gone through. He's earned whatever minutes he's gotten,'' Brown said of Gibson.
When it came time to spell Anthony Parker against Detroit, Brown turned to Jamario Moon, who is gaining more playing time because of his shooting ability and defense. It doesn't hurt that Moon is flexible, with the ability to play shooting guard or small forward, and is built the way Brown likes — big with length.
But where does that leave West? Waiting, apparently.
''Sometimes I'll play him, sometimes I won't,'' Brown said recently. ''He'll just have to be ready to help the team if his number is called and even if his number isn't called in whatever shape or form that he can.''
Brown doesn't deny that as a starter West made a mark, but his troubles off the court — including misdemeanor weapons charges in Prince Georges County, Maryland, and absences from training camp — would give any coach pause. West is expected to face a court hearing after the first of the year. At bare minimum, what Brown is doing gives him the chance to prepare for life without West.
''We as a team have to understand the situation and be ready to move forward, whether he plays or doesn't play,'' he said. ''I'm focusing on the team more than anything else.''
That shouldn't be construed as Brown or the Cavs giving up on West. Far from it, in fact.
''He was a starter for us last year and the year before and he had an impact on what we did. The sooner he can get back, the better for us and him,'' Brown said.
Winning starts
The Pistons broke a remarkable string of first quarters by the Cavaliers. Prior to being held to 28 points in the first quarter Wednesday night, the Cavaliers enjoyed a string of nine consecutive games of having tallied 32 points or more in the first quarter. Going into the Pistons game, the team led the league in first-quarter scoring, averaging 30.6 points. Their 58 percent shooting percentage in the quarter also led the league. The team has won 12-of-15 first quarters on the season, also a league best.
Fourth-quarter press
Middle-game lapses aside, the Cavaliers have shown that they know how and when to turn the screws to clamp down on opposing teams.
The Pistons shot just 20 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive game the Cavaliers held an opponent to 25 percent shooting or less in the fourth quarter.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/thomas. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CavsABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Canton, OH
Posted 09:04 PM, 11/26/2009
The Cavs are sweet. . .
Paradise, Oh
Posted 10:00 PM, 11/26/2009
It's nice to be able to provide employment to people with mental issues. But, the Cavs aren't running a social service agency.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:46 AM, 11/27/2009
But, they are in a unionized business, and you can't just do whatever you want without repercussions.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:47 AM, 11/27/2009
Unionized business = careful with getting rid of someone.
Posted 09:40 AM, 11/27/2009
Mike Brown don't no what the hell he is doing play him when i won't to sounds like they had a run in with each other coach taking things personal be professional man.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:02 AM, 11/27/2009
The guaranteed contract and impressive basketball ability might also have something to do with keeping him around.
norka, OH
Posted 10:10 AM, 11/27/2009
slovensko ...cut down on the coffee ....we are only used to ....WOW from you :)
akron, oh
Posted 12:53 PM, 11/27/2009
West needs to ge his self together, on and off the court. He was hired to do a job, and should do it. If West needs help with his mental health problems, by all means get him some help. But the bottom line is, it is to West to stay on trace, taking his meds. etc.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 01:12 PM, 11/27/2009
Perhaps a plea deal is forthcoming? With West serving time in the slammer during the off season?
Why are gun shops selling firearms to people with documented mental illnesses, anyhow? Seems like there are other people who should be locked-up in this case.
Akron, , OH
Posted 08:11 AM, 11/28/2009
West should save his money!!!! It's better for his future.
Atlanta, Ga
Posted 11:37 AM, 11/28/2009
Coach Brown West needs help dont throe the towel in yet this young man needs some guidance in his life be that for him and you'llsee a different get him on the right meds. and see the greatness come forth.
I like West he's good for the team so dont give up give him strengh were praying for him to get well.
