Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott didn't know what he had in guard Daniel Gibson. Scott, writes reporter Bob Finnan of The News Herald, heard what Gibson couldn't do. That's not what Scott found out. "He's much better than I expected," Scott said. "I saw that the first day he was here. I kept hearing about the things he couldn't do....
Guard Daniel Gibson. Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott didn't know what he had in guard Daniel Gibson. Scott, writes reporter Bob Finnan of The News Herald, heard what Gibson couldn't do.
That's not what Scott found out.
"He's much better than I expected," Scott said. "I saw that the first day he was here. I kept hearing about the things he couldn't do.
"When I saw him up close, I didn't see those things he couldn't do. I saw things he could do."
Gibson is known as a 3-point shooter, but Scott has found out that Gibson has improved his all-around game.
"The thing I love about him is his competitive nature," Scott said. "He gets after people. He's tough-minded. He's a tough, little, physical player.
"He makes shots. He has a very good understanding of what we're doing on the offensive end. He has a good basketball IQ."
Apparently, his defense has improved. Scott says Gibson is the team's best perimeter defender.
"Man, you missed that memo, too?" Gibson joked. "I've always tried to pride myself on being able to guard the ball. That has to do with having great teammates. I know they have my back. I take pride in making things tough on the guy I'm guarding.
"It's a confidence booster."
Prepared for anything
Jawad Williams went from not playing at all, to playing a little, to playing even more, and then not playing at all last season.
That will change, at least for tonight, when Williams will get extended minutes in the Cavaliers' exhibition game against the Washington Wizards.
Williams tells Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd:
''Last year prepared me for any situation, as far as not playing, then playing all of a sudden,'' Williams said. ''So this is nothing new to me.''
Williams, Leon Powe, Samardo Samuels and Christian Eyenga should get extended minutes tonight. Coach Byron Scott would rather divide the roster up and give a few players quality minutes rather than try to cram 15 players on the floor in a given night.
Gilbert clears the air
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas clarified his post-game comments after the Wizards' 97-94 win against Dallas in the preseason opener.
The Cavaliers host the Wizards tonight in preseason action.
Arenas says this to Washington Post reporter Michael Lee:
Arenas created a bit of stir after John Wall's thrilling preseason debut when he said that his new role with the Wizards is to "teach John the ins and outs of the game, and eventually go on and move on." When asked what he meant when he said, "move on," Arenas replied, "This is the NBA. There's few players that stay in the same city, so right now the city is John's. I'm not here to fight anybody. I'm here to play alongside of him. He's Batman, I'm Robin. When I came in, Larry [Hughes] moved aside for me to become a star and I'm moving aside for him to become a star."
Lee writes how to some Arenas's comments appeared to be a message that he was looking to be moved before his contract expires after the 2013-14 season. Arenas said he isn't looking to go anywhere, or seeking a trade; he is content serving as a mentor to rookie John Wall and the other young Wizards.