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Jackson helps Cavaliers cruise past Wizards
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Washington - Last season was a year that Luke Jackson would love to forget. He spent most of his rookie season watching the action from the bench and back surgery put him on the shelf for the remainder of the year.
That all could change this season.
The Cavaliers rebounded from a poor defensive showing in the first 12 minutes with a strong effort in the last three quarters that led to a 116-94 blowout victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday at the MCI Center.
LeBron James and Drew Gooden scored 16 points each and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 10 but Jackson provided a needed spark with 12 points and two steals from off the bench.
The play from Jackson was a welcome sight. He dunked, he nailed jumpers and made steals.
"I love this game so much," said Jackson, who averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists during the Las Vegas Summer League. "It just feels so good to be out there, running around and breaking a sweat. I played pain free. I wasn't thinking about my back at all while I was out there."
Jackson was also 4-of-8 from the field and that included 2-of-3 from the 3-point arc. The Cavs were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last season and outside shots from Jackson is needed. James was happy to see Jackson return to the court.
"He also has to be one of the happiest guys in the world," James said. "Luke sat out almost a whole year and to come back and shoot as well as he did tonight was very impressive. He's my guy and I'm very proud in how he played today."
Coach Mike Brown was not too proud of how the Wizards scored 41 points and shot 60 percent from the field in the first quarter. Too many fastbreak points and too much inside scoring led to a commanding 11-point first-quarter Wizards lead. The Cavs rebounded in the second quarter and Jackson helped kick-start a rally with a layup and a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to seven. The Cavs continued to run and they closed the deficit to one at halftime. The Cavs held the Wizards to 28.6 percent shooting from the field in the second quarter.
"The biggest thing that we have been preaching the whole training camp is defense," Brown said. "If we defend, we will be able to win on the road like we did tonight. I know that it's a preseason game and we don't take much stock in a preseason game but my biggest thing is that the guys gave the effort."
That effort continued in the second half. The Cavs took a one-point lead following two Gooden free throws midway during the third quarter and they extended their lead to 12 heading into the fourth. Jackson played solid defensively, especially in the second half.
"I don't even know what his numbers were offensively but what I like most is that he tried to play defense," Brown said. "He got into his defensive stance, he was active on the weak side and he went and tried to rebound. Those are the type of things that excite me the most."
Jackson remained excited after the game.
"I just want to keep getting better everyday," Jackson said. "I know I can have a role on this team. I feel real comfortable out there."
Change of heart:
Wizards guard Antonio Daniels heavily considered signing a free-agent deal with the Cavs over the summer, especially when the team signed coach Mike Brown. Daniels, who opted for a five-year $30 million deal, played in San Antonio when Brown was there as an assistant.
"I was really close to coach Brown when I was in San Antonio," Daniels said. "But I felt that I had to do what was best for me and my family. It was tough."
Daniels said that Brown is a good fit with the Cavs and he is confident that Brown will be successful this season.
"No coach will out work him," Daniels said. "Not only will he work hard in preparation but he works out hard physically. You'll see him out on the court running up and down with the players. That's great to see."
There was a time when forward Donyell Marshall wore braids and had long sideburns. The style made him look so much like rapper Ludacris that Marshall was chased through the airport by a band of young girls.
"I was walking through the terminal and about 15 girls chased me through the airport," Marshall said. "They finally caught me. They asked for my autograph and I wondered why and then they said they were just with me at the children's hospital. I wasn't and they asked if I was Ludacris and I told them he's about 5-5 and I'm 6-9."
