Cavs notes: Shaq, Celtics, Powe, and more

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Cavs notes: Shaq ‘polices’ his thumb
Filed by Rick Noland March 15th, 2010 in Cavs Notes.

CLEVELAND — Shaquille O’Neal is a noted fan of law enforcement, so the Cavaliers are counting on their big man to “police himself” as he rehabilitates from a thumb injury.

Cleveland small forward LeBron James said Sunday he has had a “little bit” of contact with O’Neal, who is currently in Orlando, but is giving the 7-foot-1, 325-pounder “his space.”

The Cavaliers expect O’Neal to come to town sometime this week, but how long he’ll stay is uncertain.

“He knows how to police himself,” James said prior to a 104-93 win over the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena. “Literally, police himself.

“He’ll be fine. He’s not going to jeopardize himself or our team.”

It’s fairly customary for established veterans to be given some time away from their team when injuries will keep them out for a substantial period. O’Neal is not expected to play until late in the first round of the playoffs.

Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry has worked out a timetable for the 38-year-old to return to the team on a permanent basis, but exactly when that will be is not known.

It is also not a big concern to Cleveland players and coaches.

“We can’t have him coming back early and risk hurting himself again,” James said. “When he’s healthy and ready to play, he’ll be back in the starting lineup.”

Critical comment

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins recently told Boston writers the Cavaliers, who once again have the best record in the league, haven’t accomplished anything because they haven’t won a title.

When asked before the game about Perkins’ comments, James said simply, “He’s right.”


LeBron takes his shot

James took only four shots in the first half, and one of them was a successful 3-pointer while falling out of bounds with the shot clock about to expire.

“It would have never gotten to that point if I hadn’t dribbled the air out of the basketball,” he said.


Powe contributes

Brown went a bit overboard in his praise, but Leon Powe did a nice job against his former Celtics teammates, putting up six points and four rebounds in eight minutes. Powe was pressed into service when Antawn Jamison got into foul trouble and responded by going a perfect 6-of-6 at the line.

“Leon was spectacular for us,” Brown said. “He was a difference-maker.”


Talking up Turner

James likes the multidimensional game of Ohio State point guard Evan Turner, who is the Buckeyes’ best scorer, passer and rebounder.

“He’s a rare guy,” James said. “He does everything. He rebounds, he scores and he defends. Those are rare talents in our game.”


Tip-ins

The last time the Cavaliers and Celtics met, on Feb. 25 in Boston, Cleveland outscored the Celtics 60-32 in the second half for a 108-88 victory. The Cavaliers, who lost O’Neal to injury in that game, had dropped their previous five contests in Boston.

James began the day with the top plus-minus rating in the league. The Cavaliers had outscored their opponents by 547 points when he was on the court (8.5 per game). Anderson Varejao was tied for second with Orlando’s Dwight Howard at plus 474 (7.4).

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2010/03/15/cavs-notes-shaq-polices-his-thumb/

Shaq returns to Cleveland today

By BOB FINAN
rfinnan@MorningJournal.com

CLEVELAND — Everyone wonders what kind of shape center Shaquille O’Neal will be in when he returns to the Cavaliers.

They’ll find out today when the 7-foot-1, 325-pounder is scheduled to arrive in Cleveland.

O’Neal has been staying at his home in Orlando, Fla., since he had right thumb surgery on March 1. He’ll likely miss the rest of the regular season.

“He knows how to police himself - literally police himself,” Cavs forward LeBron James said. “He’s not going to jeopardize (anything) by doing something that would hurt him.”

Coach Mike Brown said the Cavs’ physical therapist, George Seibel, spent two or three days with O’Neal in Florida last week.

James said he’s spoken to O’Neal, but only sparingly.

“I’m giving him space,” he said.

“We need to have him back when he’s 100 percent healthy. We can’t have him come back early and risk getting hit again and be out another two weeks. When he’s ready and healthy enough and doctors clear him, he’ll be back in the lineup.”

The Cavs went through some growing pains early in the season integrating O’Neal into their system. It might happen again - this time possibly in the playoffs.

“Hopefully, it won’t be (difficult) because we’ve been able to play with him so many games this season,” Brown said.


Eye of the storm

James was poked in the left eye with 10:02 left in the third quarter by Celtics forward Kevin Garnett.

He writhed on the floor in pain and came out of the game holding his eye.

“It’s been better,” he said. “I have a headache right now. I was lucky to be able to finish the game.

“I didn’t now if I was bleeding or not.”

It was James’ second game back after missing two games with an assortment of injuries, including a sprained right ankle.


Flappin’ their gums

There was a lot of trash talk on the court on Sunday. The Celtics, though, didn’t say much to Leon Powe, one a member of their team.

“It’s all love over there,” Powe said. “They wouldn’t trash talk me. I know all of them. Maybe KG.”

Of course, he was referring to Kevin Garnett, one of the biggest talkers in the league.


High draft pick

James loves what he sees of Ohio State’s Evan Turner.

“Evan Turner is really, really good,” he said. “If not for (Kentucky stars) John Wall or DeMarcus Cousins, he’d be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

He does everything. He scores, rebounds and passes the ball. He’s a rare talent.”


Quick shots

• The Cavs allow the fewest points off the bench in the NBA at 26.1 points per game. The Celtics are second at 26.8.

• James’ career scoring average against Boston is now 30.4, second only to Michael Jordan’s 30.7.

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/03/15/sports/doc4b9da4c8a425c854650935.txt