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There are good
memories for Jelani McCoy whenever he's at the Staples Center.
Two years ago, McCoy won an NBA championship ring as a member of the Lakers in the same town where he had a very successful college career at UCLA.
But even an old home can't be comforting to the Cavaliers' veteran center until
he finds a new one. McCoy is in a dogfight to earn a spot on the Cavaliers'
roster, and this week might determine his fate.
The Cavaliers picked the 6-foot-10 McCoy up just three weeks ago, giving him
a non-guaranteed contract and a chance to make their roster. It was the end
of a rough summer for McCoy, who found himself teamless for a third consecutive
year even after a solid season in Toronto in 2002-03. Ticketmaster
The Raptors gave McCoy, a five-year veteran who played three years with the
SuperSonics at the start of his career, a chance before last season and he earned
his way onto the team in the preseason. He ended up playing a role, seeing action
in 67 games with 25 starts while averaging 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, solid
numbers for a reserve center.
But the Raptors didn't ask him back and, even though he got workouts with other
teams, he still was looking for a chance when the Cavaliers called the week
training camp was set to begin.
Since, he has survived two rounds of camp cuts and is the last free agent invitee
on the team's roster. And as Coach Paul Silas begins seriously looking for a
dependable backup in the post in the three games this week in Southern California,
McCoy is in crunch time.
"I was surprised, upset, and frustrated I didn't get another chance in
Toronto," McCoy said. "But a lot of guys in this league are in my
same position, I've just got to keep coming to work every day with my hard-hat
on." Ticketmaster
In two preseason games and just 17 total minutes heading into Thursday night's
game against the Lakers, McCoy has averaged six points and four rebounds. He's
outplayed Chris Mihm, DeSagana Diop, Michael Stewart and Bruno Sundov, all Cavaliers
big men who have guaranteed contracts.
Silas has noticed and is concerned with his depth at the power forward and center
spots.
"I've come to the realization I need to have (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) or (Carlos)
Boozer on the floor at all times," Silas said. "I don't have any punch
in the post off the bench." Ticketmaster
Which is where McCoy comes in. Silas is planning to give all of his backup big
men a hard look as he gets closer to setting his rotation for the regular season,
which is just 12 days away.
"I've had to prove myself before and I've just got to do it again,"
McCoy said. "I can't worry about money, because I can't guarantee my own
contract. All you can do is play well and put it on the management's mind."