Cavs vs. Spurs 7:00 p.m.

• hoops23

  

  Oh, and...
  
  Duncan, 34 minutes, 6-12, 5rbs, 5 asts, 2 blks, 2 TOs, 13 pts
  
  Hickson, 35 minutes, 5-12, 7rbs, 0 asts, 0 blks, 3 TOs, 12 pts
  
  JJ also had two clutch ft's..
  
  BW was really impressed with JJ as well..
  

  If you had somehow been able to show me this game film at the start of the season I would not have believed what I saw from J.J. Hickson. He battled Tim Duncan without fear all night. He looked to make plays for himself when he got the ball. He attacked late in the game like a seasoned veteran. He made clutch free throws. He got a clutch rebound. His growth has been astounding this season.
  
  Playing well in a game like this wasn't just impressive because it was against Duncan, it was impressive because it came without LeBron and Shaq. Though Hickson's had some good games this year, most of the time it was because he was playing off the guys getting double teams. He earned everything he got in this game, which was 12 points and seven rebounds in a game where the Cavs had to have it.
  
  With Jamison, Shaq and LeBron not playing, suddenly No. 21 was a core player out there. Didn't think I'd see that day so soon.
  
  ...
  
  Also, Hickson played well and got 35 minutes, which was a season high.

• KnightRyder

  

  are the cavs a collection of the worst free throw shooters in the league?
• Drums of War

  I was incredibly impressed with JJ tonight. He held his own against an admittedly slower than in his prime star. Never the less it would have been easy for him to get schooled by the veteran. Also, nobody has mentioned Jawad Freaking Williams. For a guy who barely sees the floor, he looked pretty damn good. I would be curious to see what he could do with more playing time on a team that was not so deep as to keep him on the pine most nights. I do think that coach went to the well a few times too many when Jawad got hot shooting. I was shocked to be so entertained at the game with no Shaq or Lebron.
• just_a_swimmer

  

  Anybody else notice the absence of Shaq on the bench at the home games. Wonder why he is not with the team?
• Drums of War

  Did he stay on the east coast after his surgery to rehab? I think he had it done in Boston?
• hoops23

  

  Had it done it Maryland^
  
  I believe he's been at his home in Richfield..
  
  Also, Jawad Williams doesn't need mentioned, he's a Tar Heel so everybody should expect greatness out of him.. I've been trying to tell people about him all year
• just_a_swimmer

  

  What it boils down to is too many good guys and not enough minutes. It's going to be hard to get minutes when everyone gets back for sure. Delonte has been a beast. I wonder if Parker will have to be off some games with his finger?
• hoops23

  

  It doesn't sound like it, especially since we're already off until Friday..
  
  He supposedly suffered a dislocated finger, but it was "popped" back into place and he returned to the game..
• devil1197

  Parker is fine, probably some soreness, but it was taken care of immediately.
• wildcats20

  

  LTrain23 wrote: Also, Jawad Williams doesn't need mentioned, he's a Tar Heel so everybody should expect greatness out of him.. I've been trying to tell people about him all year

  This.
• devil1197

  Jamison's MRI today showed no further damage.
  
  Just some rest this week until the game.
• se-alum

  

  I wouldn't discount the pain that comes w/ a dislocated finger, not saying that Parker won't play through it, but it is very painful catching passes for a week or so after the dislocation. When I dislocated mine, I finished the game w/ relatively no pain, but it was very painful the next day.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  I guess I did mention Jawad Williams because I wasn't that surprised. He's been a good ball player all year. I'm not sure how many players I've ever seen look at comfortable as he does on an NBA court with such limited time there.
• BoatShoes

  Nice to see the Cavs beat the Spurs without Shaq, Jamison or Bron. This is a real team and there is a damn good chance this is the team that brings one back to the Cleve
• just_a_swimmer

  

  se-alum wrote: I wouldn't discount the pain that comes w/ a dislocated finger, not saying that Parker won't play through it, but it is very painful catching passes for a week or so after the dislocation. When I dislocated mine, I finished the game w/ relatively no pain, but it was very painful the next day.

  This....
  Not to mention the swelling that comes with it the next day. I bet he misses a week or so. Just a guess cause Cleveland seems to rest guys with the slightest bit of an injury.
  
  Maybe not though.
• Drums of War

  This....
  Not to mention the swelling that comes with it the next day. I bet he misses a week or so. Just a guess cause Cleveland seems to rest guys with the slightest bit of an injury.
  
  Maybe not though.
  [/quote]
  
  I am not necessarily against this strategy right now. Nagging long term injuries can bring down a good team. I say let these guys get their rest. Get healthy for the playoff run. This team could be a wrecking ball at 100%.