Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

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Anthony Bennett shooting 0-for-15 in first four NBA games

Yeah, it’s early. The number one pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is just four games into his career in the league. And he’s only taken 15 shots so far. But still, it’ll be cool when he finally hits one. Here’s the the Akron Beacon Journal:

Anthony Bennett’s scoring drought is reaching historic levels, but coach Mike Brown is sticking with the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Bennett is 0 for 15 shooting through the Cavs’ first four games, tying him with Olden Polynice, Terence Morris and Reggie Evans for the second-longest games played streak to begin a career without a basket (since the 1985-86 season), according to STATS, LLC.

Should he fail to score a basket in Wednesday’s game at Milwaukee, he’ll tie Joel Anthony for the longest games played drought to start a career. The Heat’s Anthony, ironically another Canadian who like Bennett also attended UNLV, played five full games his rookie year with the Miami Heat before making his first basket. The difference, of course, is Joel Anthony was an undrafted free agent who attempted just two shots in those five games. Bennett is the reigning No. 1 pick in the draft.

Will Kyrie Irving be a Cav for life?

Will Kyrie Irving be a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers for his entire career? Maybe. OK, but will he at least stick around once his rookie contract expires? Nobody knows. Not him, not you, not anybody. Here’s the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Kyrie Irving

When it comes to retaining the Cavaliers’ superstar, it’s never too early to begin the discussion – if only to appease the Cleveland faithful that had their hearts broken three years ago.

So even though Kyrie Irving isn’t going to be a free agent any time soon — the Cavaliers can offer him a long-term extension next summer — when the topic came up for owner Dan Gilbert before the season opener, he was quick to assure that “we feel good about Kyrie being here for his entire career.”

A day later, Irving cautioned that it’s way too early to talk about contracts, but he will offer one bit of reassurance: He has a great relationship with Gilbert.

Cavs waive DeSagana Diop, Kenny Kadji, Jermaine Taylor, Elliot Williams

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived center DeSagana Diop, forward Kenny Kadji, guard Jermaine Taylor and guard Elliot Williams, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Diop averaged 3.7 minutes in three preseason games for the Cavs. Kadji played in seven preseason games with averages of 5.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game. Taylor averaged 5.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in seven preseason games. Williams played in six Cavs preseason contests, averaging 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.

The Cavs roster now stands at 15.

Cavaliers exercise contract options on Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller

The Cleveland Cavaliers announced today that the team has exercised the fourth-year options on guard Kyrie Irving and forward Tristan Thompson, as well as the third-year options on guard Dion Waiters and center Tyler Zeller.

Irving was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Cavaliers and owns career averages of 20.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.8 minutes through 110 career games with the team. A 2013 NBA All-Star, Irving participated in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge and also won the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest that weekend. Last season he averaged 22.5 points on .452 shooting, 3.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 34.7 minutes in 59 games. His 22.5 points per game were the highest for any player age 22 or younger in 2012-13 and the most among all Eastern Conference point guards.

Thompson was selected in the first round (4th overall) by the Cavaliers in 2011 and owns career averages of 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 28.1 minutes through 142 (107 starts) games played. Last season, he posted 11.7 points on .488 shooting, 9.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 31.3 minutes. He set a franchise record for most offensive rebounds in a single-season with 306, which ranked second in the NBA, surpassing Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ 299 during the 2004-05 season. During NBA All-Star weekend, Thompson was selected to participate in 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge.

Waiters was the fourth overall pick of the Cavaliers in the 2012 draft and appeared in 61 games last season, averaging 14.7 points on .412 shooting, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.8 minutes. He was also named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. During NBA All-Star weekend, Waiters was selected to participate in 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge.

Zeller was selected in the first round (17th) overall in the same draft class as Waiters by Dallas, but was later acquired by the Cavaliers in a draft day trade. In 77 games last season, he averaged 7.9 points on .438 shooting and 5.7 rebounds in 28.0 minutes. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team and was selected to participate in the 2013 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

Irving , Waiters and Zeller were among the 27 NBA players who participated in the three-day USA Basketball minicamp held in Las Vegas July 22-25, while Thompson led the Canadian National Team during the FIBA Americas Championship tournament.

Dion Waiters appreciates tough love from coach Mike Brown

Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters appreciates tough love.

The Cavaliers shooting guard admits he loves the way Mike Brown is coaching him.

“He takes me out, talks to me and then puts me back in,” Waiters said after the Cavs’ 92-74 loss to the Bobcats on Tuesday before a sold-out crowd of 4,047 at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.

Brown yanked Waiters out of the game at least three times to correct mistakes.

“He can be a high-level defender,” Brown said.

However, he wasn’t doing things at a high level in the first half when Bobcats shooting guard Gerald Henderson was scoring on him at will.

Brown called time out and brought the second-year shooting guard to the sideline.

“You’re better than this,” he told Waiters.

Reported by Bob Finnan of the Morning Journal and News Herald

Jarrett Jack out around 10 days for Cavs

Jarrett Jack out around 10 days for Cavs

Jarrett Jack could play through the pain if the Cavaliers were in the playoffs, coach Mike Brown said Tuesday, but Carrick Felix can take all the time he needs to heal – and he should familiarize himself with Canton while he’s down here because he’s probably coming back.

Jack is expected to miss about 10 days to let the inflammation in his left knee subside, but Brown doesn’t seem concerned about it. Jack doesn’t have much of an injury history with the knee, aside from missing six games during the 2011-12 season when he bruised it.

“It’s the preseason, take five days, six days, whatever it is. It doesn’t necessarily matter to me because it’s not anything pressing for the preseason,” Brown said. “Gives other guys an opportunity to play.”

Reported by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal (Blog)

Kyrie Irving aims to be best player in NBA

Kyrie irving

When asked what was next on his to-do list, Irving never hesitated.

“To be the best player in this league,” he said. “That’s it.”

It’s an awfully high expectation, and one he’ll be unlikely to reach this season. Before he can become the best player in the NBA, Irving must first become the best at his position. That’s always a subjective conversation, but he’ll certainly get stiff competition from Chris Paul and guys like Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, if they’re healthy.

That’s part of the irony in all of this. For once, the list of elite point guards either hurt or coming off significant injuries doesn’t include Irving. And if he wants the Cavs to offer him the full five-year, $80 million max contract he is eligible to receive next summer, Irving must manage to stay healthy all season for the first time in his career.

Reported by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal

Cavs: Tyler Zeller sidelined following surgery

Cavs forward Tyler Zeller sidelined following surgery

Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller was diagnosed with acute appendicitis yesterday in Cleveland and subsequently had an appendectomy at the Cleveland Clinic.

He is now recovering at the Cleveland Clinic after the successful procedure and will undergo a period of additional recovery and re-evaluation before a timetable is established for his return to basketball activity.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller day-to-day with hip flexor strain

Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller day-to-day with hip flexor strain

Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller experienced a left hip flexor strain during the third quarter of the annual Cavaliers intrasquad Wine & Gold Scrimmage this past Saturday afternoon. Subsequent physical examination and MRI at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed the strain.

He is receiving treatment and participated in select non-contact elements of practice today. Zeller will continue to receive treatment and, as a precaution, is not expected to play in tomorrow’s preseason game at The Q vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.

His status will be updated as appropriate.