The Cleveland Cavaliers better enjoy their new practice facility in Independece because according to most of the national media and judging from their preseason record, they are going to need a lot of it. Head coach Mike Brown has his team coming of a record season for the franchise.  They surpassed everyone's expectations and made it to the finals, only to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs.  General manager Danny Ferry did not make any key moves in the off season and he has thus far failed to sign two major contributors from their Easter Conference Championship team of a year ago.  The team will start the season without fan favorite Anderson Varejao, who had become known for his flopping, and guard Sasha Pavlovic, who started for the Cavs throughout the playoffs. Cleveland's star, LeBron James claims that there is no doubt that the team is not the same without them, but they have to forget about the guys who are not at practice and try to get better with the team they have.  Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas claims that he has tried to talk to both of them to let them know that their teammates want them back as soon as possible.

They have both been offered contracts, but neither of them has accepted, as reported by Tom Withers of The Associated Press:

Ferry recently wernt to Brazil for a face-to-face meeting with Varejao, who is represented by agent Dan Fegan. Although no other teams offered him a contract, Varejao is seeking a deal worth $9 million per season, a figure the Cavs refuse to pay to a six-point, six-rebound player no matter how much energy he provides or how popluar he might be.

"There will be more pressure on us, because now there's only one more step up to win a championship," Ilgauskas said. "Other than winning one, the year would be considered a disappointment. But it's a nice place to be, finally, after all these years. We don't want to just make the playoffs anymore or just advance past the first round."

This summer, James played on the U.S. national team that dominated the FIBA Americas tournament and won gold. The experience of playing with Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant and other starts had a positive effect on James, who seems more mature, more focused and more determined to be an all-time great.

The Cavs offered Pavlovic an contract worth $2.8 million, but he turned it down and threatened to leave the league to to play in Europe.

When a team's most newsworthy off season moves are acquiring guard Devin Brown and forward Cedric Simmons, the upcoming season does not scream promising notions.

The Cavs made these moves while other teams in their conference like the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and New York Knicks all added talent and depth to their lineups.

James is still only the second player in league history, along with Oscar Robertson, to average at least 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for an entire season.

The starting five for the Cavs shakes out with James, Ilgauskas, forward Drew Gooden, shooting guard Larry Hughes and Daniel Gibson possibly seeing some time at point guard.

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Posted by Business of Sports staff member Bill Jordan. (Visit the Biz of Football Author's Page for contact details)