Injuries, Losses and the Dreaded Excused Absence
The Cavaliers came into Training Camp feeling great about who and where they were as a team. No contract squabbles, no injuries, just huge expectations. Three games into the pre-season things have drastically changed. That Cavs have lost all three games, which in and of itself is not a concern, as LeBron tells us -
The preseason is not about winning," James said. "You want to get some wins to feel good about yourself, but it's about learning."
Personally, I agree, and the Cavaliers have shown progress in all three games, especially on the defensive end.
My worries come off the court where issues seem to be mounting. Injuries and excused absences have hampered the team's ability to get everyone on the same page. Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic have played a total of 3 minutes the past two games due to injury. For Pavlovic it is a sprained ankle, something he dealt with alot last season. While the injury is not considered serious, the fact the a player like Pavlovic, who needs to find a rhythem in his game to be effective, continues to miss games has to be a concern to the Cavaliers.
The bigger injury concern is Ben Wallace and his achy back. Wallace proved last season that he could still be very effective when he was healthy. He was useless when the back acted up. Now, with the back acting up already, even after an off-season spent trying to strengthen the problem area, there is concern that Wallace may not get back to anything close to what he was in Detroit, not to mention the $15 million the Cavs are paying him this season. The Cavs need Wallace becuase the front-court is an area of concern with a lot of age on one side(Wallace, Z) and alot of youth on the other(Hickson, Jackson).
Another Cavaliers regular hasn't been on the court, but it has nothing injury. Delonte West, fresh off signing his new contract, has been absent from the team ofr over a week while he deals with "undisclosed personal problems". For now, the team is saying all thre right things, and surely taking care of business at home is the most important thing, but at what point do the Cavaliers, or West, talk about what is going on or simply force West to come back? With the season less than 2 weeks away, that time may be coming soon.
The Cavaliers have been practicing for about 2 weeks. In that time they have on of their guards out injured, another out because of personal problems and a forward with back problems. Not the smooth beginning to the season that Mike Brown was hoping for. Lucily the game don't count and the Cavs have some time, but the clock is ticking.
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Things have drastically changed? We lost 3 games where Lebron played a combined 3 minutes. We knew Ben Wallace was a decomposing corpse. We’ve been looking for ways to figure out who gets minutes at the 2 and backing up the 3.
The pre-season progresses and everything falls into place.
Darnell Jackson emerges. Jawad Williams impresses. Boobie Gibson even lead the team in assists!
The only concern is Delonte. Everything else is coming up Milhouse.
by LeCavs Matt on Oct 15, 2008 1:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Have to agree with LeCavs Matt, here. I don’t see a whole lot of change, really. I don’t think anyone expected much out of Wallace to where his nagging injuries constitute a change.
Also, FTS, you need to double check your posts or have someone edit them before you post it. Maybe I’m just a spelling/grammar stickler, but it gets frustrating to read.
by painaxl on Oct 15, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The losses mean nothing...
I agree with that and say as much. I completely disagree when it is said that little was expected of Ben Wallace. The Cavaliers are definitely hoping to get a good year out of Big Ben while Hickson and Jackson progress.
The point of the whole thing is this. The Cavaliers were completely unstable heading into training camp last season. It definitely affected their play. This year, the Cavs came into the season hoping for a smooth training camp. Two weeks in, that hasn’t been the case. Will it affect them? Maybe, maybe not. I am just pointing it out….
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Oct 15, 2008 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love your site
LeCavs Matt! I still check it everyday but since you’re here…I guess I’ll just check here : )
by Ilamuku on Oct 16, 2008 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wallace
I think the Wallace injury problems are a real issue. Given the fact that Danny Ferry didn’t even bring in a big to really compete for the final roster spot, you have to believe that he thought Wallace was going to be able to give them at least 25 minutes a night for at least 75 games this year. If Wallace’s back is so problematic that he will always be a game-time decision, this is a major factor. The strength of this Cavalier team has been the frontcourt, and without Wallace they are one injury away from a major problem.
At the same time, Brad Miller and Shawn Marion are definitely available for Szczerbiak’s expiring contract if the Cavs are willing to throw in a draft pick. As much as I don’t want to do that, I also am completely unwilling to sacrifice this entire season just to keep another #19 overall pick.
Finally, to those who don’t see a whole lot of change, that’s a bad thing. Remember, the Cavaliers were actually outscored by their opponents last year, and had a Pythagorean W-L record of 40-42. A return of the status quo of last season would not be a good thing. This team really does need to take a step forward if they want to consider themselves legitimate championship contenders. If Wallace is done, and the Cavs can not/will not replace him, then they won’t compete for a title.
by CavsHQ on Oct 15, 2008 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Delonte’s back with the team today according to reports.
by Fundamentals on Oct 15, 2008 6:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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