Lebron James Eager to Return to Action
December 10, 2007
Game-time decision is the official status report for LeBron James on Tuesday when the Cavaliers host Indiana .
But the All-Star forward sounded eager Monday to return to action in the 7 p.m. game. James has missed the last five games with a sprained left index finger. The Cavs have lost them all, part of a six-game losing streak — their longest since January of 2006.
Not that the Cavs act like a team on a losing skid.
“It's starting to feel good around here,” James said after his second full practice with contact in as many days. “Everyone is back now ... so we're ready to start playing good basketball again.”
Guard Larry Hughes returned Saturday after missing 11 games with a deep bone bruise in his left leg. And forward Anderson Varejao should dress for Tuesday's game after missing the first 21 games in a contract dispute.
“We don't like to lose, but at the same point, no one was low because (I was out) and now Andy's coming back,” James said.
Not that Cavs will be at full strength Tuesday.
Guard Daniel Gibson is doubtful because of pain created by his wisdom teeth. Varejao is expected to be in uniform, but after just one practice with the team, it is uncertain how much he will play.
And then there's James, who feels “OK” but is not 100 percent certain he will play. He will wear a protective glove on his left hand when he does play.
“It's not a 100 percent at all right now,” James said. “It probably won't be 100 percent until the offseason. I don't have an offseason until 2009.”
James laughed as he said that. He will spend the bulk of the upcoming offseason playing for Team USA , like he has the past two summers.
When James does return to action, he does not plan to alter the way he plays. “I'm going to go out there and play the way I've been playing,” he said.
Before the injury, James was playing at an MVP level. He leads the league in scoring (30.7) and has four triple-doubles.
“Sometimes we take him for granted when he's out there and he's making all the plays,” center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said Monday. “You get used to it and ... when he's out all of a sudden, the reality hits you how tough it is without him. If anything, it's made me appreciate him more.”
The time on the bench reminded James how much he hates not being able to help his team.
“It's not good, not for me,” he said of missing games. “It's not like I'm learning anything. I don't learn nothing from watching other teams play and watching my team play. ... I know how to play the game of basketball.”
