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10-03-2003, 02:18 PM
AP - Oct 2, 5:13 pm EDT
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CLEVELAND (AP) -- The rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers got a taste of what life will be like with LeBron James around.
The Cavs conducted their annual media day Thursday. In recent years, the event has been greeted with all the excitement of the season's first major snowstorm.
Not this year. Not next year, either. Not as long as James, the rookie phenomenon, is on Cleveland's roster.
After surveying the Gund Arena practice court crowded with photographers, television crews and reporters, 7-foot-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas shook his head in amazement and laughed.
``This is pretty cool,'' Ilgauskas said. ``It's a lot better than last year. Nobody cared about us.''
Because of James, apathy and exposure no longer are problems for the Cavaliers. In the span of a few months, they have evolved from league laughingstock to one of the NBA's must-see attractions.
The team is selling tickets for home games at a record pace, and after not appearing on network television in three years, the Cavs will be seen 14 times in 2003-04.
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Not bad for a team that won just 17 games last season and hasn't made the playoffs since 1998.
``It's good,'' Ilgauskas said. ``All the guys are going to get exposure, not just him (James). Last year, we didn't even make the SportsCenter highlights some nights.
``We welcome him with open arms.''
Media day wasn't much different than any other day of the week for James.
The media spotlight and scrutiny is nothing new for the 18-year-old millionaire and Nike pitchman, so being engulfed by microphones and notebooks while being bombarded with questions is as routine as practicing free throws.
``It's fun,'' James said. ``Sometimes it gets a little grueling. But if ya'll keep coming, then I'll just keep smiling.''
James and the Cavs wore the club's new wine-and-gold home uniforms, but he has yet to break out any of his signature Nike sneakers. His line of shoes is expected to hit store shelves Dec. 20.
Cleveland's full squad will practice for the first time Friday under new coach Paul Silas.
Ricky Davis can't wait to get started.
Davis, the team's leading scorer last season, thinks his third year in Cleveland could be special.
``We've got a lot of key guys back this year,'' Davis said. ``We've all been together for a while and we got the young fellow, LeBron.''
Davis is coming off a breakout season in which he led Cleveland in points, assists, steals, minutes and 3-point percentage. He emerged as one of the league's rising stars.
However, his big year was overshadowed by one selfish stunt.
In a game March 16 against Utah, Davis, needing one rebound for his first career triple-double, purposely missed a shot at the wrong basket to pad his statistics.
It was an immature move by Davis, who embarrassed himself and his teammates.
``When I see it again, it's like, what was I thinking?'' he said. ``You learn from previous mistakes and don't do it again.''
The Cavs are counting on it.
Silas has encouraged Davis to take a more active role as a team leader, something the guard has shied away from in the past.
Silas coached -- and clashed with -- Davis for two years in Charlotte.
``He was wild,'' Silas said.
However, in his short time in Cleveland, Silas has seen a more mature player than the one he remembered.
``He's already our leader,'' Silas said. ``Even though the focus is on LeBron, Ricky is going to have to be the one.''link (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-cavaliers-mediaday&prov=ap&type=lgns)
More Photos
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers got a taste of what life will be like with LeBron James around.
The Cavs conducted their annual media day Thursday. In recent years, the event has been greeted with all the excitement of the season's first major snowstorm.
Not this year. Not next year, either. Not as long as James, the rookie phenomenon, is on Cleveland's roster.
After surveying the Gund Arena practice court crowded with photographers, television crews and reporters, 7-foot-3 center Zydrunas Ilgauskas shook his head in amazement and laughed.
``This is pretty cool,'' Ilgauskas said. ``It's a lot better than last year. Nobody cared about us.''
Because of James, apathy and exposure no longer are problems for the Cavaliers. In the span of a few months, they have evolved from league laughingstock to one of the NBA's must-see attractions.
The team is selling tickets for home games at a record pace, and after not appearing on network television in three years, the Cavs will be seen 14 times in 2003-04.
ADVERTISEMENT
Not bad for a team that won just 17 games last season and hasn't made the playoffs since 1998.
``It's good,'' Ilgauskas said. ``All the guys are going to get exposure, not just him (James). Last year, we didn't even make the SportsCenter highlights some nights.
``We welcome him with open arms.''
Media day wasn't much different than any other day of the week for James.
The media spotlight and scrutiny is nothing new for the 18-year-old millionaire and Nike pitchman, so being engulfed by microphones and notebooks while being bombarded with questions is as routine as practicing free throws.
``It's fun,'' James said. ``Sometimes it gets a little grueling. But if ya'll keep coming, then I'll just keep smiling.''
James and the Cavs wore the club's new wine-and-gold home uniforms, but he has yet to break out any of his signature Nike sneakers. His line of shoes is expected to hit store shelves Dec. 20.
Cleveland's full squad will practice for the first time Friday under new coach Paul Silas.
Ricky Davis can't wait to get started.
Davis, the team's leading scorer last season, thinks his third year in Cleveland could be special.
``We've got a lot of key guys back this year,'' Davis said. ``We've all been together for a while and we got the young fellow, LeBron.''
Davis is coming off a breakout season in which he led Cleveland in points, assists, steals, minutes and 3-point percentage. He emerged as one of the league's rising stars.
However, his big year was overshadowed by one selfish stunt.
In a game March 16 against Utah, Davis, needing one rebound for his first career triple-double, purposely missed a shot at the wrong basket to pad his statistics.
It was an immature move by Davis, who embarrassed himself and his teammates.
``When I see it again, it's like, what was I thinking?'' he said. ``You learn from previous mistakes and don't do it again.''
The Cavs are counting on it.
Silas has encouraged Davis to take a more active role as a team leader, something the guard has shied away from in the past.
Silas coached -- and clashed with -- Davis for two years in Charlotte.
``He was wild,'' Silas said.
However, in his short time in Cleveland, Silas has seen a more mature player than the one he remembered.
``He's already our leader,'' Silas said. ``Even though the focus is on LeBron, Ricky is going to have to be the one.''link (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-cavaliers-mediaday&prov=ap&type=lgns)