Game 36 | Cavaliers @ Memphis Jan. 13th, 8:00PM (ET)

[Lee]

Rudy Gay's really looking forward to guarding LeBron tonight.

Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay sat down for the first time in nearly two hours following practice. He stared straight ahead and answered questions as if in some sort of trance. Gay's state of mind had nothing to do with physical fatigue -- but the mental wear of thinking about his next defensive assignment seemed to already be taking a toll.

"He's on another level, man," Gay said. "There are only a couple people on that level in this league."

That next-level player Gay spoke of is LeBron James, who engineers the Cleveland Cavaliers' locomotive that will ride through FedExForum tonight.

"I'm just going to try and use my quickness to try to do what I can to contain him," Gay said. "You can't stop him."

"Just being around him and from talking to him, the thing I can respect is he's never lost that hunger to get better," Gay said. "You've got to respect a guy like that. He's on top of his game."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/13/grizzlies-cavaliers-lebron-james/

What a great way pf puting it. To be the best you have to guard the best. I really like gay's game and now I know I like his attitude. Hard not to root for a guy like that...when he is not playing us ofcourse.

 

[Prekazi]

Man, I missed the Cavs. Don't forget to provide links for your international fellows.

 

[JJ Smooth]

Should be a blowout...but I said the same thing the last time we played the Wizards too. We've had time to practice and still riding high with our win over the Celts. I'm hoping to see lounge chair Lebron for the 4th here...

 

[BigErieCavsFan]

After the Wiz game, I'm not letting myself get overconfident. And I'm really hoping my attitude will wear off on the players. You can't take any NBA team too lightly, especially on thier home floor with a target on our backs...

 

[chiefwahoo]

Cavs by 17, book it.

 

[PIP]

I totally forgot our season was still going on....

 

[wuck]

According to the Plain Dealer:

Ben Wallace missed shootaround with the Cavaliers at FedEx Forum this morning still dealing with the flu. He is a gametime decision for tonight's 8 p.m. game against the Grizzlies. Wallace has been dealing with the stomach flu since Sunday.

I'd still be surprised if he didn't play.

 

[CzBoobie]

I totally forgot our season was still going on....

Yeah, it felt like we have won the championship against the Celtics...

 

[King of the Cavs 23]

According to the Plain Dealer:


Quote:
Ben Wallace missed shootaround with the Cavaliers at FedEx Forum this morning still dealing with the flu. He is a gametime decision for tonight's 8 p.m. game against the Grizzlies. Wallace has been dealing with the stomach flu since Sunday.

I'd still be surprised if he didn't play.

Yea with Ben out it way be tough with JJ and Andy Starting..

Or maybe LBJ at PF

 

[wuck]

Yea with Ben out it way be tough with JJ and Andy Starting..

Or maybe LBJ at PF

Since Memphis' rookie PF (Arthur) is 6' 9", 225, I imagine Mike Brown could go with Lorenzen, JJ, Wally, or Sasha in the starting lineup to replace Ben, then shift things around accordingly. JJ would be the most obvious choice, size-wise, but Brown might look for a veteran and/or put LBJ on Arthur. Doubtful that Darnell or Jawad would get the nod.

Let's hope Ben is okay!!!!! That would make the decision easiest...

 

[_amon _ones]

According to the latest preview at Cavs.com, Ben is starting.

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/probable_starters.html

 

[King of the Cavs 23]

But the only worry with JJ and Andy starting may be the lack of basketball IQ. JJ is still young and makes rookie mistakes, while Andy sometimes goes a bit overboard and can easily get into foul trouble

 

[wuck]

But the only worry with JJ and Andy starting may be the lack of basketball IQ. JJ is still young and makes rookie mistakes, while Andy sometimes goes a bit overboard and can easily get into foul trouble

I agree, although the PF for Memphis is a rookie, too. If it comes down to it, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Mike Brown went with a veteran at the start.

This is exactly the kind of situation that Wright was signed for (plus he played in Memphis for years and should be comfortable in that environment).

Hopefully, the Cavs.com preview is right and Ben will be in the starting lineup, even if he plays limited minutes.

 

[wuck]

Ben Wallace will not play tonight according to Windhorst. :thumbdown

I hope this news gives the rest of the team a dose of urgency.

Ben Wallace will not play against Grizzlies
by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday January 13, 2009, 1:54 PM

Memphis, Tenn. -- Ben Wallace will not play in tonight's 8 p.m. game against the Grizzlies, the team announced this afternoon. Wallace has been dealing with intestinal flu since Sunday.

It is likely Cavs Coach Mike Brown will start Lorenzen Wright in Wallace's spot. Already without Zydrunas Ilgauskas due to an ankle injury, the team is now very thin on the front line. Rookie J.J. Hickson would also likely see extended minutes and the Cavs may look to use smaller linueps with LeBron James and Wally Szczerbiak spending time at power forward.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/01/ben_wallace_a_gametime_decisio.html

 

[Damien O'Connel]

god i hope ben is back for thursday and friday