INDEPENDENCE: Kevin Love took a shot to the rib cage and sat out part of practice on Tuesday, but Cavs coach David Blatt said he will be fine for Thursday’s opener against the New York Knicks.
“We pulled him out, but he’s OK,” Blatt said.
Love has suffered a number of minor dings during the preseason. He was kicked near his Achilles in a game against the Heat, but remained in the game. He missed time with a sore neck and also battled a sore knee during the preseason.
To read more or comment...INDEPENDENCE: The Cavaliers released Shane Edwards on Saturday, reducing the roster to the 15 players they are expected to start the season with Thursday against the Knicks.
Edwards' release was expected and means other fringe guys such as Lou Amundson, A.J. Price and Alex Kirk all made the Cavs final roster.
Edwards has spent time with the Canton Charge previously and is likely headed back if he clears waivers. Under league rules, a team holds first right of refusal over their final three cuts of training camp.
That means Stephen Holt, Chris Crawford and Edwards could all bypass the Development League draft and be placed directly on the Canton Charge if the Cavs choose. All three will be considered NBA free agents, but the Cavs will at least have their D-League rights.
To read more or comment...LeBron James listened to sons LeBron Jr. and Bryce when making his decision whether to return to the Cavs.
But James will leave the choice of whether he resumes his ritual of the pre-game powder toss up to the fans. The Cavs open the season Thursday at home against the New York Knicks.
James said Friday after practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts that he will let fans decide via social media whether he goes back to the habit, which he abandoned during his time with the Miami Heat.
James didn't give details on which social media platform he would pick.
To read more or comment...Anderson Varejao will be the Cavs' starting center in Thursday night's opener against the New York Knicks, coach David Blatt said Friday.
Blatt didn't go all the way in his announcement, saying "the way we've been playing, that's pretty much how we're going to go" in reference to Varejao. The 10-year veteran has started five of six preseason games he's played in.
Blatt emphasized that Tristan Thompson may get the call over Varejao at times this season. But Blatt cited LeBron James' familiarity with Varejao as the major reason he has the edge. Varejao played six seasons with James during James' first stint with the Cavs.
"That was more or less the idea of beginning with Andy, just because those two guys are so good together," Blatt said after practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "Tristan is equally as efficient in either case. That's more or less the basis. It doesn't mean that Tristan won't be starting some of the games; I'm sure he will be. Just right now that's the way we're looking to go.
To read more or comment...MEMPHIS, Tenn.: Twenty-two thoughts for 22 Cavs fast-break points Wednesday after they concluded the preseason 5-2 following a 96-92 loss to the Grizzlies…
1. In discussing LeBron James’ impact on a game, one current Cavs player put it this way: “He can decide who he wants to get going and who he wants to have a big game. You saw it a couple weeks ago with Kevin (Love) and the other night with Andy (Varejao).”
2. In the game against the Heat in Rio, James had the assist on each of Love’s first three baskets and five of his nine. Most of his looks were wide open, and after the game Cavs coach David Blatt commended Love for how quickly he fit into the Cavs. That happened, of course, because James took it upon himself to get Love going.
3. It was Varejao’s turn against the Bulls, perhaps the best defensive team in the league with a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate at center in Joakim Noah. Varejao scored 22 points in 23 minutes, and while James only assisted on three of Varejao’s 10 baskets, he was on the floor during eight of them.
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