Thomas making progress, could join Cavs earlier

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And the fact that majority of the players in the Gilas pool are already familiar with the system helped. Aside from Kiefer Ravena and Carl Bryan Cruz, many of the players were last seen playing for Gilas in August of this year, either in the SEA Games or FIBA Asia Cup (or in the case of Cruz, both). The SEA Games was an obvious

Day by day, dribble by dribble, Isaiah Thomas looks a little more like an All-Star point guard — like himself.

And just maybe like one who can rescue the reeling Cavaliers.

Thomas has been increasing the intensity of his workouts and is making strong progress in his recovery from a serious hip injury that ended his 2016 season in Boston and delayed his debut with Cleveland.

As Cavs coach Tyronn Lue and a member of Cleveland's medical staff kept an eye on him from an adjacent floor at Cleveland Clinic Courts, Thomas broke a healthy sweat during a workout Monday under the success, as the team was able to bring home a gold medal. But even the squad that went to Beirut for the FIBA Asia Cup was able to have success, as they finally defeated China to avenge their 2015 gold medal game loss.

So it’s not like these guys are coming in blind about what to expect from Coach Reyes and company. With less than three weeks before their game in Japan, guidance of assistant coach Phil Handy, who fired him passes and praise. Thomas worked on his 3pointer , man-to-man defense, conditioning, ball handling and free throws as he nears a return that may be coming sooner than imagined.

Although the team has not disclosed any change from its original timetable estimate of the end of December, it's apparent that Thomas is getting closer.

At 4-6, and lacking a second scorer to complement LeBron James, the Cavs might be tempted to rush Thomas along. But Lue said it's imperative for the team to stick with the main assignment for Gilas is developing the chemistry and cohesion that will make them a well-oiled machine in time for their first match. They have time to do that; now they need to shake off the rust and get back into the mindset of playing winning Gilas Basketball.

Coach Chot Reyes used the hashtag #GilasGrind in his instagram post. And that’s a perfect description for its plan so as not to harm the 28-yearold.

"We have to make sure he's 100 percent," Lue said Monday (Tuesday Phl time) as the Cavs regrouped following an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Hawks. "We have to worry about him as a player and a person. If he's not right, not healthy, we don't want to rush him back to set him back even more."

Thomas isn't keeping his status any kind of secret. In the first few weeks of his rehab, he kept a lower profile as he worked out in the team's facility away from reporters and cameras. Lately, he's been front and what’s facing the players in the next few days. It’s going to be a grind to get back the rhythm, conditioning and mentality needed by the team in hostile territory. And in the unique format that FIBA has made, each game is of utmost importance. Here’s hoping that each player’s familiarity with the system will make the Gilas grind worth it in the end. —

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center, giving everyone a glimpse of the strides he's made in coming back from a torn labrum.

Lue credited Cleveland's training staff with a slow, steady approach in bringing along Thomas, who came to the Cavs in the blockbuster trade last summer that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics.

Irving and the Celtics have won nine straight and lead the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Cleveland has remained patient, although it's clear that Thomas can't wait to get back onto the floor in meaningful games.

"I just wanna HOOP !!!!! " he tweeted Sunday night.