Scribbles before the return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and some other guy to Quicken Loans Arena.
View full sizeJ.J. Hickson was among the Cavaliers who greeted LeBron James (with Zydrunas Ilgauskas) during warmups before Thursday night's game.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles before the return of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and some other guy to Quicken Loans Arena...
1. Some fans are wondering if the Cavs can build a case for tampering between Miami and LeBron James. Odds are against it, especially since the Cavs agreed to take draft picks and a $14.5 million trade exception as part of a sign-and-trade deal for James with the Heat. They may be able to make Heat president Pat Riley sweat as he deals with the charges. But in the end, the Cavs did receive something for James. The league can decide to fine the Heat or perhaps take away a draft choice. But it seems by making a deal with Miami, the Cavs' tampering charge lost some of its sizzle.
2. Yes, another former Cavalier is coming back, but let's hope the biggest ovation of the night -- at least before the game -- goes to Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The former Cavalier center has said he's not sure how the fans will greet him. He seems to wonder if his decision to sign with Miami will be viewed in the same negative light as that of LeBron James.
3. The 35-year-old Ilgauskas is nearing the end of his career. The fact that he starts for the Heat indicates their lack of depth. The Cavs were willing to re-sign Ilgauskas, but their interest was light as they are focused on rebuilding the team. Ilgauskas was looking for a good team that could use a solid backup center. Miami opened the door.
4. Also, Byron Scott's motion offense is not suited for Ilgauskas, who is most effective in two-man, pick-and-pop plays. That's where Ilgauskas sets a pick, then floats off the side, catching a pass and shooting a 15-foot jumper. He's averaging 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 18 minutes a game, shooting 57 percent.
5. A few weeks ago, I asked Scott how he thought James would do in the Princeton offense. He first said, "Great." The coach then went into a long explanation of how James would take his game to a higher level by moving without the ball, cutting to the basket and helping the offense flow. It was much like what the triangle offense did for Michael Jordan -- it forced him not to hold the ball for a long time. The question is if James would have bought into it.
6. I laughed out loud when there was a discussion of how James is not playing a pick-and-roll with Dwyane Wade. They meant James doesn't set picks. Guess what? He doesn't like to set picks. He occasionally did it with Mo Williams, and it was very effective. But James wants the ball, and have someone pick for him.
7. I also heard that this game supposedly will "energize" James. The real question is, why does he need to be energized? Why is he in such a funk? Most nights with the Cavs, he played with energy -- which is forgotten after how he was an MIA in the last two games of the Boston series.
8. While tonight's game will have that playoff, big game feel, the truth is there won't be many games like this for the Cavs this season. The reality is that the man who took his talents to South Beach also took any chance the Cavs had to dream about contention. His departure also means that when the Cavs face a good team that is in the mood to play near its ability -- witness the recent Orlando, San Antonio and Boston games -- the Cavs have very little chance to even keep it close for four quarters. They just don't have the talent.