Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao was honored to enter the All-Star discussion, but he also was a bit overwhelmed.
In recent weeks, he has been bombarded with phone calls, text messages and e-mails from family, friends and complete strangers, all of whom wanted to know what he thought about a push for a spot on the Eastern Conference’s roster. The questions got old, and Varejao concedes he needed some relief.
“At the same time, it’s a good thing when you hear stuff like that from a lot of people,” Varejao said. “It means you’re doing a good job and you’re helping the team.”
He certainly has helped the Cavs (10-14) this season by averaging 11 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and shooting 50.7 percent from the field. Still, Varejao, in his eighth season, fell short of receiving his first All-Star selection.
Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers (17-8) was named the Eastern Conference’s backup center Thursday night. Hibbert is averaging 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds a game and shooting 50.9 percent from the field.
The 30 NBA coaches voted for the All-Star reserves. The starters were determined by fan balloting and announced last week.
Some considered Cavs rookie point guard Kyrie Irving a long shot to earn an All-Star bid. But Irving, who’s averaging 18 points and 5.1 assists this season, wasn’t selected, either.
Although Varejao didn’t make the cut, he has opened some eyes throughout the league. In the past five games, he has averaged 15 points and 14.8 rebounds and shot 57.9 percent from the field. He has recorded a double-double in each of his last five games.
“He’s an animal,” Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki said. “He’s relentless. He’s got a great nose for the ball, and he just keeps coming.”
Varejao bruised his lower back with 9:32 left in the third quarter Wednesday night, but he returned in the fourth quarter and finished with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Moments after falling on his tailbone for a second time, he made a jump shot with 29.4 seconds left to help the Cavs defeat the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 99-92.
“Anderson brings a lot of energy, keeps a lot of balls alive in terms of his rebounding, his activity, his screening,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “He’s hitting that elbow jump shot a little bit. But he’s just complete energy and causes a lot of problems, a lot of havoc for everybody just because he’s such an aggressive rebounder and player.”
Cavs coach Byron Scott praised Varejao for his performance against the Clippers. Scott has made it known that he believes Varejao is worthy of All-Star recognition.
“Andy is one of the toughest guys in the league, plays hard every single night, doesn’t take plays off,” Scott said. “There’s not really a whole lot more I can say about how well he’s played for us and what he means to the team.”
Varejao has yet to finish a season averaging double digits in points or rebounds. Even though he’s on pace to do so this year, he has continued to insist that he hasn’t changed his game. In his first year as a full-time starter last season, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in early January.
“My role is a little different this season,” Varejao said. “I’ve been trying to play the same way, keep doing what I was doing when we had the team fighting for the championship. Maybe because I’m playing more consistent, it could be the answer for [why I have received more attention], but I’m not sure.”
Concussion update
After sitting out Wednesday against the Clippers with a concussion, Irving was evaluated Thursday afternoon at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Rick Figler. Irving’s status remains day-to-day, and there is no timetable set for his return. He must be symptom-free before he is allowed to practice again.
The NBA adopted a new concussion policy in December. It requires the Cavs to use a multi-stage, return-to-play protocol before allowing Irving to come back. The team also must consult with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, director of the NBA Concussion Program, before permitting Irving to play.
The Cavs did not practice Thursday. They are expected to hold a shootaround this morning in preparation for their home game tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Irving suffered the concussion Tuesday night when he smacked the back of his head against the left knee of Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade. Irving hit his head with 5:37 left in the fourth quarter of the Cavs’ 107-91 loss to the Heat. He stayed in the game until he left for good with 1:27 remaining.
Irving beat rookie guard Norris Cole off the dribble at the top of the key, drove through the lane and bumped into forward Chris Bosh as he missed a shot. After Irving ran into Bosh, he fell backward and hit the back of his head on Wade’s knee as he crashed to the floor. Cole, a Cleveland State University graduate, was called for a foul during the play.
Irving appeared to be shaken immediately after he fell, but he wasn’t on the floor for long. Teammates Alonzo Gee and Antawn Jamison reached down to help him rise to his feet. Irving then made two free throws.
After Irving suffered the injury, he scored four of his 16 points and recorded one of his six assists. He made all four of his foul shots and missed two field-goal attempts.
Irving was bothered by a headache Tuesday night and Wednesday as he shot around during pregame warm-ups, Scott said. He was tested for a concussion Wednesday night, diagnosed with one and ruled out shortly before tip-off. He missed his first game this season.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.
