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Tickets at Ticket Master
Drawing on his three decades of NBA wisdom, advice from his assistants and with a nod to his marketing sense, Paul Silas came up with the following brainstorm:
LeBron James will start.
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"I've checked with (NBA Commissioner) David Stern, and in no uncertain terms he told me what he expects," Silas joked ticketmaster on the Cavaliers' second day of training camp at Gund Arena Wednesday.
Some decisions are easier than others, but what is also in no uncertain terms
is that James will not be given special treatment.
Silas has conceded that much of the first half of this season will be dedicated
to development as he searches for a lineup and a system that can return the
Cavaliers to legitimacy.
That does not mean James will play without conscience.
"He's going to get his minutes because he's that good," Silas said.
"It's my job to put five guys out there to win and that's what I'm going
to do."
There was much speculation that guaranteed playing time for James was a part
of the deal when the Cavaliers went looking for a new coach in the off-season.
Silas dismissed those thoughts and even said his presentation to the Cavaliers
came before the team landed James at ticketmaster the NBA Draft Lottery.
"It's all based on production with all of my players," Silas said.
"If LeBron is doing the right things, he's going to play."
Silas worked his team in some five-on-five drills for the first time Wednesday,
which is where James started to shine. The passing skills that made him famous
and his willingness to attack the boards, which made him popular with scouts,
started to come out.
Getting extended playing time in the early going might come down to how well
James is able to shoot from the outside. Silas' offense needs spot-up shooters,
where the ball can go when ticketmaster Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Carlos Boozer
get double-teamed in the post.
The way Silas sets it up, the weak-side wing usually spots up outside the 3-point
line, meaning James and teammates Dajuan Wagner, J.R. Bremer, Ricky Davis and
Darius Miles need to be able to make that shot when the ball comes in rotation.
"I think I was a great shooter from the high school 3-point line, but I
didn't have to shoot it if I didn't want to because I knew I could go to the
hole whenever I needed to," said James, who was 60-of-158 (38 percent)
from 3-point range as a senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
"Now I've got to get my jumpshot down to perfection, I have to expand my
game."
Injury report
The Cavaliers are being very careful with Dajuan Wagner's surgically repaired
knee. He experienced swelling Tuesday, the same reaction he got after his first
workouts in summer league. He practiced Wednesday, but isn't at full strength.
"I think it's going to be OK," Silas said. "It's tendinitis.
We're going to monitor it very closely."
Forward Ira Newble is also suffering from tendinitis in his right knee. Silas
said he's at least a week from activity.
Eighty games on TV
The Cavs announced their local television package Wednesday, the most extensive
in team history, as all but two games will be shown on local, regional or national
television. WUAB-Ch. 43 and the Cavaliers Television Network will carry 30 games,
Fox Sports Net Ohio will televise another 40 and 10 more will be on TNT, ESPN
or ABC exclusively. On the radio side, WAKR (1590-AM) will air all 82 games
plus the eight preseason games.
No logo problem
James already has a reputation for being picky about what logos he's seen wearing.
During the Reebok Pro Summer League, James, a Nike endorser, asked not to be
interviewed in front of Reebok banners. But all of the Cavaliers' game and practice
gear have Reebok logos because it is the official NBA sponsor. No matter for
James, now, though. "I'll do whatever the league needs," he said.
"I'm doing this for Mr. Stern."
Star power
James is bringing so much attention to the Cavaliers, the team has hired a Cleveland
police commander to protect the superstar rookie and his teammates.
Marvin Cross retired from the Cleveland Police Department Sunday after 22 years
to become the Cavs' director of security.
Cavaliers President Len Komoroski said the security position was a first for
the team.