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Paul Silas Interview

 


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/ Oct. 20, 2004

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Paul Silas spoke with InsideHoops.com and other major media outlets in a teleconference. Here are the questions and answers:

Opening Statement: We had a really good camp. I was very satisfied with the way the guys performed, their attentiveness. The chemistry is good and I think we’re looking forward to a real good year. We added a lot of people this year: Lucious Harris, Eric Snow; Scott Williams; Robert Traylor; a kid by the name of Anderson Varejao that we got from Orlando along with Drew Gooden, Sasha Pavlovic; along with the guys we already have -- Jeff McInnis, LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Ira Newble. It’s been a very good preseason. We’ve played three games so far, won two. We’re learning. They’re learning my system, and things are going well.

Q: How has David Wesley, a guy you coached for several years, been able to hang around the NBA and do well as an undersized shooting guard?

Silas: He’s very smart and he’s tough. He really found his niche when I put him at two-guard because he could shoot the ball so well. We also didn’t have to make special defenses for him because of his toughness. He could front down low when he would get posted up. He could lay his body on people and cut off lanes to the basket, forcing players into tougher shots. He just found his niche feeding off the point guards we had, Baron Davis in particular, who could penetrate very well and kick it to him and he could make baskets. I think it’s his intelligence that’s kept him in the league so long as an undersized two.

Q: Can you talk a little about the acquisition of Eric Snow?

Silas: We’ve been starting McInnis and Snow together and that’s worked very well, but what Eric brings is another veteran player that’s been to the Finals, who can play some backup point when need be. Last year when McInnis went down, we lost seven out of eight. I don’t see that happening with Eric Snow on our team. He’s a leader on the court and off. He brings vast experience to our ball club, and that’s what we needed. We needed some leadership guys that know the ropes and have been around. And he can certainly provide that for us.

Q: Is there a concern about frontcourt depth with this team?

Silas: We have Drew Gooden, Robert Traylor, Anderson Varejao, who is a rookie, but will have a chance to play, as well as (Zydrunas) Ilgauskas, DeSagana Diop and Scott Williams. The nice part is, Traylor can play four or five. Gooden, of course, has had a terrific preseason, averaging close to 12 rebounds per game. I think we’re covered. Diop has had a hand problem. If he can’t come back by the time the season starts, then perhaps we’ll look to add somebody.

Q: Can you compare/contrast Carlos Boozer and Drew Gooden?

Silas: Drew is about 6-10, whereas Carlos is about 6-8. Both go to the boards exceptionally well. Drew surprises me with his athleticism. I didn’t know he was as athletic as he is. He’s a little bit better outside shooter than Boozer. The main thing with Drew is that his mind is right. He wants to be here. He knows he’s going to be our four. We’re not going to change him from four to three. That’s what happened in the places that he’s been. I look forward to him having a successful year. Everything is pointing toward that. He’s in the last year of his deal and has something to prove, and so far he’s doing that for us.

Q: What do you expect from Anderson Varejao this season?

Silas: I’m just surprised and happy with him because he works so hard at his game. He’s a relentless offensive rebounder. He’s picking up the other parts of the game. His shooting is a lot better than it was when he first came here. He blocks shots, he runs the court. He’s not fast, but he’s quick. He anticipates getting up and down the floor. Because of his work ethic, I think he has the chance to be a really good player. He has the kind of body that can fill out. We’re just expecting great things. He won’t have to get in the fire right away, but he will command some time, because he works relentlessly, but in another couple of years, he has a chance to be a really good player in this league.

Q: How will the loss of Eric Williams affect your team?

Silas: Eric played the three spot for us last year, while Carlos played the four. I don’t think it will affect us that much. We have LeBron playing the three now, with Ira Newble backing him up. We signed Lucious Harris. We have Eric Snow who can play the two, as well as Dajuan Wagner, who had a sensational training camp.










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