Five Tidbits From Media Day
By Zak Kolesar
Oct 1, 2012; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (left) and guard Dion Waiters during media day at the Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE
Media Day was a frenzy in Independence, Ohio. Players were posing for pictures, cracking jokes with media members and taking questions about their personal life. Newcomer C.J. Miles explained his reason for taking the number 0, as No. 34 was retired for Austin Carr and No. 4 was already taken by Luke Walton. Guard Daniel Gibson also touched base on his new reality T.V. show “Family First,” which will make its debut next week.
With that said, here are the top five tidbits that I took away from media day. Also, below I have a list of the 20-man roster heading into training camp, which started today. According to head coach Byron Scott, no one looked noticeably out of shape and no player puked on the court. So far, so good.
2012-13 Roster:
PG – Kevin Anderson
SG – Kelenna Azuibuke
SF – Omri Casspi
F/C – Michael Eric
G/F – Alonzo Gee
G – Daniel Gibson
SF – Luke Harangody
PG – Justin Holiday
PG – Kyrie Irving
F – Kevin Jones
F – Jon Leuer
G/F – C.J. Miles
PG – Jeremy Pargo
PF – Samardo Samuels
PG – Donald Sloan
F/C – Tristan Thompson
F/C – Anderson Varejao
SG – Dion Waiters
F – Luke Walton
C – Tyler Zeller
Oct 1, 2012; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) interviews his teammates during media day at the Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE
5 Media Day Tidbits
1. Kyrie Irving’s Hand – Head coach Byron Scott made it clear on Monday that he wanted Irving to be more of a vocal leader. Even if he will just be coming off his Rookie of the Year performance and entering his sophomore season in the Association, Irving has shown maturity in the offseason. He’s the point guard of the team, so it’s only natural that he becomes the Chris Paul of Cleveland like Scott wants him to. According to those on hand at media day, Kyrie’s right hand just has a scar below the pinky. Other than that, he looks ready to go, as he did get involved in some 5-on-5 action before training camp started on Tuesday.
2. Shape of Samardo Samuels and Dion Waiters – When Samardo Samuels came into the Summer League svelte and slim, he averaged a respectable 12.2 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 88.5 percent from the charity stripe. According to The Plain Dealer’s Cavaliers account, Samuels looked 30 pounds lighter after putting on his uniform and getting into the gym. This is a good sign for the Cavaliers bench, as Samuels will be a big part of it this season.
As for Waiters, he was the exact opposite when it came to his production and shape in Las Vegas. According to Scott, Waiters came overweight and out of shape, which was predictable because he didn’t work out for any NBA team before the draft. In the three games he played in, two of which he started, he averaged 12.3 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting a dismal 30 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three. The 2012 No. 4 pick got word that Camp Scott was not a training camp that you could come to out of shape. He got his stuff together in Los Angeles by working out with fellow Cavalier and NBA players. Although not in the exact shape that Scott was hoping, Waiters did arrive on Monday about 10 pounds lighter.
3. Anderson Varejao’s Flopping – It looks as if the NBA is going to start cracking down on flopping by penalizing them for deceiving referees. The plan that would go into effect would involve analyzing games afterward to fine those committing flops. Varejao, who I think is one of the Association’s most notorious floppers, said on Monday that, “I’m not flopping anymore. I used to flop a little bit.” Only time will tell if the flopping penalties will stop players from committing the fake act, but it will be interesting if we will see a change in the amount of fouls that Varejao takes and if his game will slightly change.
4. Tristan Thompson plays role of Media – The media day turned into somewhat of a frenzy after Tristan Thompson took control of interviewing responsibilities. A plethora of cameras surrounded him after he started interviewing fellow teammate C.J. Miles, but it all started when he became the frontman of Access Cavaliers by stepping up to his head coach. He summed things about by asking a few questions to fellow sophomore Kyrie Irving. To say the least, this team has some characters.
5. Justin Holiday rounds up Cavs roster – Point guard Justin Holiday, brother of Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday, was the final addition to the Cavaliers training camp roster. He received the 20th and final invite, and will be fighting for one of the spots to backup Irving at the one. Justin, who played for the Cavaliers summer league team, averaged 6.4 points and 16.8 minutes while shooting 41 percent from the field.