Reserve role better than serving in Serbian army
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - Many in Sasha Pavlovic's position would be complaining, but it beats spending the winter in the Serbian army.
After an encouraging first season with the Cavaliers, Pavlovic has found himself as the odd man out in coach Mike Brown's rotation in the early going. Luke Jackson has taken most of his minutes backing up LeBron James for the 6-2 Cavs, who host the Orlando Magic tonight.
As is his nature, Pavlovic is staying even-keeled. In fact, he seems more ruffled that fellow countryman and longtime NBA player Vlade Divac is facing a year in prison, because he never enlisted in the Serbian army as required by law.
Pavlovic, too, has postponed military service playing pro basketball, which is one of the reasons losing playing time isn't such a big deal in the grand scheme.
``I can't believe they are like that with Vlade; he is very big in my country. If he wanted to be president, he'd get 100 percent of the vote,'' Pavlovic said. ``They change the country's name every other year and the rules, too. I don't know what is going on there now.''
Pavlovic, 22, is using a yearly exemption to stay out of the military, which he can do until he's 27. Until then, he's trying not to worry about it. He's more focused on somehow getting out on the floor.
After missing a chunk of the preseason with a hip flexor, Pavlovic started out the season well enough. First, the Cavs picked up the option in his contract for next season, and then he appeared to have the edge on Jackson in the season's first two games.
But Brown, perhaps a little miffed at Pavlovic's defense, made the switch to Jackson in the third game and hasn't looked back. Minutes will likely get even tighter when Ira Newble returns from a foot injury in a month, but Pavlovic is content being patient.
``That's the coach's decision and I'm fine with it,'' Pavlovic said.
``I have time to fight back, but the team is winning so my job now is to play as hard as I can when I get minutes.''
Pavlovic has shown flashes of incredible offensive talent, not only as a shooter, but also in going to the basket. In those moments, it is easy to see why some compared him to Peja Stojakovic when he was drafted two years ago.
But under Brown, promising offensive talent takes a backseat to defense.
``I think we're all human. If I weren't playing I'd be a little down,'' Brown said. ``He hasn't said anything; we'll continue to talk to him and continue to teach him. We only have so many minutes.''
Pavlovic will be waiting.
``All I can do is wait for my chance,'' he said. ``And then use it.''
Link
So much for the pouting Serbian. The kid has a good head on his shoulders, and this could be a reason his missed out on the headcase Serbian team. He is doing all he can on the floor to receive minutes. We'll see how stubborn Brown is with him in the coming games.
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
CLEVELAND - Many in Sasha Pavlovic's position would be complaining, but it beats spending the winter in the Serbian army.
After an encouraging first season with the Cavaliers, Pavlovic has found himself as the odd man out in coach Mike Brown's rotation in the early going. Luke Jackson has taken most of his minutes backing up LeBron James for the 6-2 Cavs, who host the Orlando Magic tonight.
As is his nature, Pavlovic is staying even-keeled. In fact, he seems more ruffled that fellow countryman and longtime NBA player Vlade Divac is facing a year in prison, because he never enlisted in the Serbian army as required by law.
Pavlovic, too, has postponed military service playing pro basketball, which is one of the reasons losing playing time isn't such a big deal in the grand scheme.
``I can't believe they are like that with Vlade; he is very big in my country. If he wanted to be president, he'd get 100 percent of the vote,'' Pavlovic said. ``They change the country's name every other year and the rules, too. I don't know what is going on there now.''
Pavlovic, 22, is using a yearly exemption to stay out of the military, which he can do until he's 27. Until then, he's trying not to worry about it. He's more focused on somehow getting out on the floor.
After missing a chunk of the preseason with a hip flexor, Pavlovic started out the season well enough. First, the Cavs picked up the option in his contract for next season, and then he appeared to have the edge on Jackson in the season's first two games.
But Brown, perhaps a little miffed at Pavlovic's defense, made the switch to Jackson in the third game and hasn't looked back. Minutes will likely get even tighter when Ira Newble returns from a foot injury in a month, but Pavlovic is content being patient.
``That's the coach's decision and I'm fine with it,'' Pavlovic said.
``I have time to fight back, but the team is winning so my job now is to play as hard as I can when I get minutes.''
Pavlovic has shown flashes of incredible offensive talent, not only as a shooter, but also in going to the basket. In those moments, it is easy to see why some compared him to Peja Stojakovic when he was drafted two years ago.
But under Brown, promising offensive talent takes a backseat to defense.
``I think we're all human. If I weren't playing I'd be a little down,'' Brown said. ``He hasn't said anything; we'll continue to talk to him and continue to teach him. We only have so many minutes.''
Pavlovic will be waiting.
``All I can do is wait for my chance,'' he said. ``And then use it.''
Link
So much for the pouting Serbian. The kid has a good head on his shoulders, and this could be a reason his missed out on the headcase Serbian team. He is doing all he can on the floor to receive minutes. We'll see how stubborn Brown is with him in the coming games.
