Bobcats at Cavaliers
THE STORY: When the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Charlotte
Bobcats on Tuesday, four of the top 10 picks in June's NBA draft will be
on display. It is still early, but it seems the Cavaliers are getting
more out of their rookies. Cleveland selected Kyrie Irving first and
Tristan Thompson fourth, while the Bobcats took Bismack Biyombo seventh
and Kemba Walker ninth. The Bobcats signed Cavaliers forward Anderson
Varejao to a contract a few years ago when he was a restricted free
agent and the Cavaliers wasted little time matching the offer. The
Bobcats have been searching for a high-energy forward who excels in
rebounding and defense since. They may have found him in Biyombo, but
like Varejao, it will take years for him to develop. Walker was an
undersized but explosive scorer in college. He ranks fifth among NBA
rookies in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game. His 3.5 assists rank
sixth. Irving is a star in the making. Coach Byron Scott liked Walker
and Brandon Knight entering the draft, but loved Irving because he was
the only one of the trio who was a true point guard.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Charlotte), FS Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (1-3): Coach Paul Silas has made it clear that
D.J. White is his starting power forward after White had a career-high
21 points in Sunday’s loss to the Heat. Tyrus Thomas sprained his left
ankle during the preseason and is still working his way back, but Silas
has no interest in handing him the starting job despite the team owing
him more than $32 million over the next four years. White's long-term
ceiling isn’t as high, but for now, the job is his.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (2-2): No one in Cleveland is overly
excited about the Cavaliers’ .500 start. After all, the team was 5-5
last season before falling apart and finishing with only 19 victories.
One consistent trend through four games, however, has been Antawn
Jamison’s success directly tied to the team’s performance. In the
Cavaliers’ two victories, Jamison is a combined 16 of 24 shooting. In
their two defeats, he is 10 of 34.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Silas was coach of the Cavaliers for two seasons before he was fired
near the end of the 2004-05 season. He was LeBron James’ first coach in
the NBA.
2. Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin is averaging 14.3 points and 6.3
assists, and has scored in double figures in 24 of his last 30 games.
3. In three meetings with the Bobcats last season, Cavaliers backup
point guard Ramon Sessions averaged 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0
assists.