[remy23]

August 28, 2006
One-on-One with Cavaliers Rookie, Daniel Gibson

On the eve of the 2006 NBA Draft, pundits and prognosticators predicted that the Cavaliers would select either Michigan State shooting guard Shannon Brown or Texas point, Daniel Gibson. Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry helped the forecasters hedge their bet: Cleveland drafted them both.
Gibson, 21, was selected by the Cavaliers with the 47th overall pick. The 6-2, 190-pound guard was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and started all 68 games for the Longhorns in his two seasons in Austin. He averaged 13.8 points, 3.6 boards and 3.5 assists per game at Texas and shot 38 percent from beyond the arc.

Unlike Brown, his soft-spoken draft-mate, Daniel Gibson seems as comfortable talking about his game as he is playing it. Cavs.com caught up with the personable point man in-between workouts in Houston as he prepares for Training Camp. Check it out …
_____________________________

cavs.com: Are you getting close to being prepared for your first Training Camp?
Daniel Gibson: Definitely. I’ve been working hard three times a day – mostly in Houston (with former Cavs coach, John Lucas) – preparing myself mentally for whatever challenges are going to come my way.

I think I’m ready. I’m in good shape and right now I’m ready to get going.

cavs.com: How would you describe your experience in the Vegas Summer League? Did you get a feel for the Cavaliers system?
Gibson: I really didn’t know what to expect but I think I handled myself well. I found some areas where I can improve and I also found some areas in which I can flourish and do some good things. I think the Summer League helped me out a lot as far as preparing myself to get ready to play.

cavs.com: For fans who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself? Is there an NBA player that you’re like or that you model your game after?
Gibson: Personally, I like to model my game after Isiah Thomas.

And I think the fans in Cleveland can expect a player who’s going to be out there having fun – you’re always going to see me smiling. But at the same time, I’m a guy who gives 110 percent, diving for loose balls and doing the dirty work. And I’ll definitely be stroking that three.

cavs.com: You didn’t work out for any teams after working out in Cleveland. Did you just have such a strong feeling that the Cavaliers would draft you?
Gibson: Me and my parents – we talked about it and we prayed on it. And after the workout, I felt that I performed well enough that if the Cavs intended to take me, then they would. So I just shut it down (after that workout).

Cleveland was the place that I wanted to be. I felt that it was the perfect situation for me. And I just shut it down after working out for the Cavs.

cavs.com: What are your strengths coming into the NBA and what are some things you might need to work on?
Gibson: I feel like I can guard the ball pretty well. Basically, I think with the rules and the way the games are called in the NBA, one big adjustment I’m going to have to make is learning how to not play with my hands. So I think defense is going to be the biggest transition for me. I think I can help defensively as well as scoring with the ball.

cavs.com: Do you think you can contribute as a rookie?
Gibson: I’m definitely looking forward to coming in and playing. That’s my goal and that’s what I’m preparing myself to do.

cavs.com: What’s been your impression of the team in your limited experience so far?
Gibson: They’re a close-knit group. They seem like they have a family atmosphere. They have the best player in the league.

And I like the way they play defense. The Cavs understand that great defense is what’s going to get them over the hump and they take a lot of pride in playing defense and that’s one of the things that I really look forward to doing.

cavs.com: Last question: In the Texas-OSU game on September 9th, how many points do you think the Buckeyes will win by?
Gibson: (Pauses, laughs) WOW! No offense to the Ohio fans, because I’m looking for full support this season. But Texas is going to smack ‘em!

[crazyfan]

One of my favourite college players last year, i really hope he does well in Cleveland.

[remy23]

The Cavs select Daniel Gibson
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Daniel Gibson - amazing
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[remy23]

Gibson having fun as student of NBA

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

Daniel Gibson won a high school state title and was an honorable mention All-American and he set the University of Texas record for 3-pointers made in a season.

None of that will help Gibson now.

Gibson, the Cavs' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, is starting all over as he tries to make his mark in the toughest position in the NBA - point guard. Compared to college, there are more demands on this level, the playbook is thicker and the level of performance must be raised higher. Gib son is ready for the challenge.

"I didn't know what to expect in the NBA," Gibson said. "My dad told me to go in and just play because this is still basketball. Basketball is what I love to do and basketball is what I know how to do.

"My dad told me to just relax, be myself and have fun. That's what I've tried to do."

On Friday night, the Cavs defeated the Boston Celtics, 91-82, at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The Celtics' Wally Szczerbiak led all scorers with 21 points.

Gibson planned to have fun in his first NBA training camp but it also has meant plenty of work. He had to make several adjustments, including raising his voice.

"I've never been that vocal out there on the floor because I've always tried to lead by example," Gibson said. "In this league, the point guards are looked upon as leaders, so you have to be able to tell guys what to do. Eric Snow told me regardless if I'm a rookie or not, guys have to feel comfortable when you tell them stuff."

Becoming a vocal leader is only half the battle. A successful point guard must know what he is talking about while directing traffic. That means plenty hours of study once practice is over. Gibson routinely takes a DVD of that day's practice or game home for further viewing.

"That was a big difference," Gibson said. "We have plays with more than one option and as a NBA point guard, I have to do more than just know what I have to do. I have to know what everyone's doing. I'm watching film to do everything I can to be prepared so I can be ready when coach calls my name."

Once Gibson returns to practice the following day, he follows the same routine of getting to the gym early to work on shots and participate in drills. He's also one of the last players to leave because he finishes the day with more drills and more shots. Gibson also spends time with veterans David Wesley, Damon Jones and Eric Snow.

"I like his willingness to learn and ask questions," Snow said. "The talent is there. His work ethic and his willingness to learn means it's only a matter of time before he gets better. It's extremely tough for a young guy to play this position but Daniel's been doing a good job so far."

[remy23]

October 23, 2006
Daniel Gibson's Rookie Blog

Right now, I’m trying to get used to life in the NBA as well as the Cleveland weather. It’s just a little different than Texas. Everybody I’ve talked to in town has been telling me about these “blizzards” – so I brought a coat with me. But I can tell already that it’s not going to be enough. So I need to go shopping and get some more winter gear. Danny Ferry said he owes me a coat – a big coat. I don’t know about Danny’s taste, so hopefully he’ll take me with him.
Every now and then I get a little homesick. But I guess I’m just homesick for Texas, period. I’ve always been there, my whole life, and for really the first time, I’m away. My family isn’t here, so I’m kind of alone. But I hang out with Shannon (Brown) a lot and ‘Bron takes me out and makes me feel at home.

Back home my nickname is “Boobie.” I got that from my mom. I have two sisters and an older brother. And I have a cousin – Israel – who’s like a brother. We’re the same age. He calls me all the time since I’ve been here; gives me someone to talk to.

On and off the court, Eric Snow and David Wesley have helped me out a lot as a young guard. But another guard, Damon Jones, has really been great, too. Our relationship is basketball, but he keeps me relaxed. When I’m out there on the floor, he tells me what I’m doing right and wrong. But he also always keeps me laughing and smiling. Sometimes you can be way too tense out there and he keeps you in a relaxed state of mind. And that’s really when I perform at my best.

I’m still hanging out and trying to rest up between games and practices. Mostly, I just play video games. My favorite game going right now is “Scarface.” I love it. I play it all day, every day. You do everything that Tony Montana does – wiping people out, the whole deal. It’s really cool.

Talk to you soon, Cavalier fans. Next time from the regular season. I can't wait!

[remy23]

November 28, 2006
Daniel Gibson’s Rookie Blog

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I miss everyone back in Texas but I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my teammates. Eric Snow had me and Shannon (Brown) and Dwayne Jones over for dinner. I really ate a lot and got stuffed. After, I went right to sleep!

I got some good minutes in Toronto and in Indiana. After the dunk I had against the Pacers on Friday night, my phone was blowing up. Everybody from my aunts, my uncles, my grandma called me after the game. Everybody was proud to see me do that. (My dad got League Pass; so he can catch every game.)

Basically, I just split the pick-and-roll up top and the lane opened up. I felt like it was either dunk the ball or get it pinned on the backboard. So I attacked the rim and finished the play.

None of my teammates really expected that. They were all like, “Wow!” But I felt like I could do it. I think I told somebody at the beginning of the year that if I got the opportunity that I was going to sneak somebody. And I did.

On Saturday night, Shannon got his first start of the season. (He’s probably the teammate that I’m closest to, but I still keep in touch with my teammates from college who are playing in the league right now: Marcus Aldridge with the Blazers and P.J. Tucker with the Raptors.)

I didn’t get in on Saturday, but that’s cool. My approach is to be as even-keeled as possible. Regardless of anything, if your number is called, just go out and perform and if not, just go out and root your teammates on and be the best teammate you can be.

When your number is called, you have to go out there with a lot of confidence and have fun. That’s the main thing – to keep smiling, regardless of the situation. You know what you can do, so just go out there and have fun with it.

[futuristxen]

God we got such a steal.

Gibson is why I'm reticent to make a big deal for a young point guard, unless they are like Chris Paul or Deron Williams or Kirk Hinrich, Gibson might be great here.

He seems like the perfect guard to put with Lebron. A quick athletic, defensive oriented point who can shoot.

Now Shannon needs to step it up.

[quench23]

we need someone to upload that dunk over Al vs the pacers,,,,, disqusting

[hendrix2430]

Originally Posted by futuristxen

God we got such a steal.

Gibson is why I'm reticent to make a big deal for a young point guard, unless they are like Chris Paul or Deron Williams or Kirk Hinrich, Gibson might be great here.

He seems like the perfect guard to put with Lebron. A quick athletic, defensive oriented point who can shoot.

Now Shannon needs to step it up.

I agree we got a steal. But I don't understand how S. Brown is ahead of Gibson at this point. Maybe Brown's kicking arse in practice?

From what I've seen, Gibson is better right now (and it's not close).

[Pioneer10]

Originally Posted by hendrix2430

I agree we got a steal. But I don't understand how S. Brown is ahead of Gibson at this point. Maybe Brown's kicking arse in practice?

From what I've seen, Gibson is better right now (and it's not close).

Brown's a 2 guard and much stronger (important for D against bigger SG's) so with Hughes out, Brown is going with the other Brown

[remy23]

Originally Posted by hendrix2430

I agree we got a steal. But I don't understand how S. Brown is ahead of Gibson at this point. Maybe Brown's kicking arse in practice?

From what I've seen, Gibson is better right now (and it's not close).

A recent article said Coach Brown claimed Gibson made a few mistakes defensively off-the-ball. While I'm not sure about that, it's basically saying Coach cares about defense above all.

[Pioneer10]

Crazy Gibson layup from college:

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[Pioneer10]

Gibson dunk against Indiana:

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[Pioneer10]

CLEVELAND - When it comes to Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson, curb your enthusiasm.
Don't misunderstand, the Cavs are extremely high on the young rookie's potential. But collectively, they are trying not to let expectations and reality get out of whack following his first career start.
By all accounts, it was a smash-hit performance, 18 points and five rebounds in the Cavs' victory over Toronto on Wednesday -- especially considering the team had been parched for production from the starting spot Larry Hughes vacated 10 games ago.
Shortly after Hughes took part in his third full practice of the week on Thursday, the Cavs upgraded his status for Saturday's game with the Indiana Pacers to questionable.
There's a good chance Hughes will see his first playing time against the Pacers since spraining his ankle Nov. 15. But for the time being, as Hughes gets back up to full speed, Gibson might remain in the starting lineup.
The win over the Raptors was just one game, and Gibson has played in just eight games (118 minutes) in his youthful career. Though his performances have continued to earn him more opportunities, Cavs coach Mike Brown wants to keep everything in check.
``He's impressed me since training camp, just about every day,'' Brown said. ``But both `Boobie' (Gibson's nickname) and Shannon (Brown) still make rookie mistakes when they are out there, sometimes mistakes that the general public doesn't see. I think they both have a chance to be good players in this league, but they've still got a long way to go.''
There's a similar message being passed down to Gibson daily. While his ability to play, and particularly shoot, without fear has won approval from coaches and teammates, they are also concerned with keeping him focused during the early success.
``The coaches have done a great job of keeping me in it mentally,'' Gibson said. ``I feel good about the way I played and I made a couple of shots. I know I need to keep improving.''
However, some of Gibson's teammates are not containing their excitement so well. That seems especially true for LeBron James, who became enamored with Gibson earlier in the season and has been supporting him ever since. James has been a proponent of giving Gibson opportunities early on.
``I've seen the potential in his game; he was never afraid to make a mistake or afraid to come out,'' James said. ``Once I saw that in him, I sort of took him under my wing. He's been nothing but positive for us so far.''

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/...s/16192786.htm

What about all those mistakes veterans make like sucking that you let them get away with?

[futuristxen]

Who was the little point guard when Lebron was in high school? Maybe Daniel reminds him of him.