Pavlovic hoping for big year with the Cavaliers
Rick Noland | The Chronicle-Telegram
INDEPENDENCE — Sasha Pavlovic and Wally Szczerbiak are similar players with different approaches vying for the same position.
One is likely to start at shooting guard for the Cavaliers, though there’s a chance Delonte West could steal the spot if one doesn’t step up.
Pavlovic, who started as Cleveland reached the NBA Finals in 2007 but never got it all together last season after missing training camp due to a contract negotiation, is a flat-liner who displays almost no emotion.
The Montenegro native is so stoic, it sometimes seems as though he doesn’t care. Unfortunately for the Cavs, his approach on the floor often matches his personality, as he’s prone to do nothing for long stretches.
Then, out of nowhere, the 6-foot-7, 239-pounder will start making 3-pointers and displaying the athleticism that allows him to push superstar LeBron James in practice.
Then, just as quickly, he’ll revert to the old Pavlovic and play 20 or 25 minutes in a game where it’s hard to even remember him being on the floor.
It’s been that way throughout Pavlovic’s five NBA seasons, including the last four in Cleveland, but this year he is at least talking a different game.
“I’ve forgotten about last year and everything,” Pavlovic said. “I’m ready to play.”
Asked if it was important for him to be the starter, Pavlovic, still just 24, said, “I always come ready and hope for the best. I’m going to do everything to be there.”
The emotional, high-strung Szczerbiak, by contrast, almost cares too much. Like current Cavs general manager Danny Ferry in the early stages of his playing career in Cleveland, Szczerbiak wants to please so badly it sometimes seems like he’s trying too hard.
Acquired from Seattle at the trade deadline last season, the muscular 6-7, 245-pounder struggled to find his normally reliable perimeter shot. The more he pressed, the worse things got.
“Being here from Day 1 is going to help a lot,” Szczerbiak said.
Pavlovic, of course, can make the same claim, meaning the competition for the starting spot should be very interesting.
“Whatever’s best for the team,” Szczerbiak said. “We preach it’s all about the team.
“I was effective here as a starter (in the playoffs last season) and I’ve been effective as a starter my whole (nine-year) career. Whatever the coaches feel is best.”
Gaining some Mo
Point guard Mo Williams, acquired from Milwaukee over the summer, was the biggest bright spot in the team’s Wine & Gold scrimmage Saturday at the University of Akron’s JAR Arena. The speedy veteran pushed the tempo offensively and also led the way as the Cavs utilized some full-court pressure defensively.
“We don’t want to be Phoenix; we don’t want to be old Sacramento,” Cleveland coach Mike Brown said of those run-and-gun teams. “But we have guys who are quick push guards. We want to try and take advantage of that.”
Williams, who had the green light at all times with the Bucks, is only too happy to oblige.
“We have guys who can run,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it.”
The 25-year-old, however, is fully aware James is the only player the conservative Brown will totally turn loose at the offensive end.
“I don’t think he’ll give that (green light) to anybody but one person,” Williams said with a laugh. “That’s one of my gifts. That’s one thing I can do is get up and down the court.”
Asked about Cleveland’s full-court pressure, Williams said, “That’s one way of getting the juices going. If (teammates) see me doing it, it will trickle down one through five.”
Tip-ins
West did not attend the scrimmage in order to attend to a personal matter. It’s not known when he will return. Guard Michael Dickerson left the team Wednesday to attend to a personal matter and is still absent from camp.
• The Cavs did not practice Sunday, but will resume workouts this morning. Cleveland hosts Toronto on Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena in its first preseason game.
Quote of the day
“It’s a great honor. I’m only 23. It takes people a long time to get keys to the city. Don’t make me feel old.” — James, who played only in the first quarter at the scrimmage, on getting the key to the city from Akron mayor Don Plusquellic.
Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net.
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Filed by Rick Noland | The Chronicle-Telegram October 6th, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 3% |
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