Low expectations for a motivated coach and roster. What will happen? Numerous links.
The Cavaliers, with (left to right) Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao, hope to surprise the critics.Cleveland, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their 41st NBA season on Wednesday night at home against the Boston Celtics.
It's a challenging season for the team and its fans. The Cavs were a championship contender the last several seasons. Now, they are in transition mode -- or it could be said rebuilding -- after the departure of LeBron James to the Miami Heat as a free agent.
Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage is highlighted today by the 2010-11 season preview. Also, Mary Schmitt Boyer reports on the Cavs' ability to find undrafted free agents, and Terry Pluto writes about the Cavaliers in "Terry's Talkin.' "
Scott right coach
NBA.com features coaches and general managers about to begin their first seasons in those positions, or beginning anew with a different team. Byron Scott was a head coach for the New Jersey Nets -- leading them to two Finals appearances -- and the New Orleans/Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets, and is in his first season at the job with the Cavaliers.
Part of NBA.com's comments on Scott:
But there's a good chance that he's just what the doctor ordered for a Cavs team and a Cleveland fan base that will need to generate enthusiasm and look to the future. Scott's got the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder attitude that could rub off and become infectious. It will have to if they are going to survive the rebuilding process.
Boston's take
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cavs in Eastern Conference semifinal playoff rounds in two of the last three seasons. Maybe curiosity remains about the Cavs in the Boston area, especially with the teams meeting on Wednesday.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe previews the Cavaliers, writing:
The Cavaliers have made adjustments to their uniforms, another thing that will distance them from LeBron (although that decision was made nine months ago). And they also expanded the team store in Quicken Loans Arena, hoping to capitalize on the groundswell of local support since “The Decision.’’
Of course, the Cavaliers will learn the true impact with their attendance numbers, and that will begin Wednesday against the Celtics. But what is clear is that they have made it a priority to move forward, hoping that the fan base is patient and those players hired to surround LeBron for a title run can produce in his absence.
Backhand compliment
The Cavaliers will not be lacking for motivation this season. There is a general lack of tespect for the team. For instance, an anonymous NBA scout from another team analyzes the Cavaliers for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.
The scout begins his critique of the Cavs by writing, "The Cavs are the worst team in the East." He does note a few plus-factors for the Cavs, and writes:
I like both (Mo) Williams and (Antawn) Jamison as leaders. Jamison has been a leader for a long time, and Williams has grown into that role. They have some guys who play hard and that may help them be an overachieving team. But effort can't compensate for lack of talent. None of their other guys are good enough.
Anderson Varejao is among their top three players, but offensively he won't do it for them. In that sense, he's a bit like Ben Wallace during the Pistons' championship days. Defensively, Varejao can be almost that dominant. He will block a shot, though he doesn't change everything like Wallace did, and he doesn't rebound as well. But Varejao's a great one-on-one defender. He takes charges, is a great help defender and plays with enormous effort. Plus, he has great length.
Pick and rolls
Wrapping up the preseason and looking to the regular season, by Zac Jackson for Fox Sports Ohio.
How the start of the season could impact the direction of a Cavs team that is better than most pundits believe, by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Byron Scott and the Cavs are amused by the very low expectations for them, Bob Finnan writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.
The Cavaliers' summer report card, from NBA.com.
A feature story on Antawn Jamison by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
A comeback by Cavs center-forward Leon Powe, by Yannis Koutroupis of Hoopsworld.com.
A profile of Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant, from NBA.com.
"Expert" predictions on the Cavaliers, from ESPN.com.
Cavaliers notes, by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.