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the Suns are going to regret balking on any trade involving J.J. Hickson
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- About a minute and a half into his first start for the Cavaliers, J.J. Hickson found himself on a fast break with LeBron James.
James, who'd spent all summer grooming his young protege, whipped a pass sideways that Hickson couldn't handle and the ball sailed out of bounds.
"He missed the pass of the day from me, but he made up for it," a smiling James said after the Cavs beat the Charlotte Bobcats, 102-96, in an NBA exhibition game Saturday night in before a sell-out crowd of 11,489 in the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, S.C. "He played really well. He's going to continue to learn, but it was good for him to get that experience tonight."
Hickson, the Cavs' first-round draft choice last season who was used sparingly and then missed the end of the season and the playoffs with a back problem, started in place of Anderson Varejao, who sat out with back spasms. He finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes. He also had a blocked shot, a steal and two turnovers.
"Of course I was excited," Hickson said. "I started off a little jittery. I was a little amped up, but at the first timeout I settled myself and then I was good."
What did James tell him after that pass sailed out of bounds?
"He told me, 'Get the next one,'" he said.
The play was an extension of the time the two spent together over the summer as James tried to help Hickson hone his talent and develop his work ethic. Although it was only an exhibition game, it seems to be paying off.
"J.J. is working," said Cavs coach Mike Brown, who was disappointed with his team's transition defense and 13 turnovers. "He has made great strides from last year. His athleticism is something we haven't had a lot of, and for him to be able to do some of the things he has done so far has been good to see. He still needs to continue to try to work on being physical and not just relying on his athleticism all the time."
Several times during timeouts Shaquille O'Neal took Hickson aside to talk to him.
"J.J. did an excellent job," O'Neal said. "He knows what his role is. He's not really going to have a lot of plays called for him, but I think he can get a lot of easy buckets from the pick and roll, especially when myself or LeBron is not in the game. He has to take advantage of those opportunities. Tonight he played very well. If he can continue to play like that, he's going to be a force for this team."
Missing in action: In addition to Varejao, the Cavs also were without Delonte West (personal reasons), Jamario Moon (wisdom teeth extraction) and rookie Danny Green (right glute contusion.)
The Bobcats, 1-2, are still without Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw. Chandler had surgery on his left ankle, and Diaw has a sprained left ankle.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....ong_prese.html
the Suns are going to regret balking on any trade involving J.J. Hickson
There aren't enough first round picks in the world for Sarver to sell to be able to afford me after I sign my max extension.
This acting y. If you don't quiet down and get your sister up in here, I'll slit your wrists..........vertically.
Anybody who plays for Cleveland will fail..
like lebron did?
LeBron was
03-04 ROY
05-06 All Star game MVP
07-08 All Star game MVP
08-09 MVP
and thats only the awards...
and dont forget how he turned his whole team around, led Cleveland to 2007 Finals. im not gonna say every reason why he didnt fail in Cleveland. it will take me forever to say all the things LeBron did.
and btw LeBrons career isnt over yet so he has plenty of time to win a championship
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