Bigmen Drummond, McGee reborn, assume leadership of young Cavaliers
For the first time in his nine-year NBA career, Cavaliers center Andre Drummond had trouble sleeping on the eve of a season opener.
He found himself tossing and turning at 2 a.m., ready for the Cavs’ gameWednesday night against the CharlotteHornets atRocketMortgage FieldHouse.
Part of itwas the fact that the Cavswere left out of the NBA’s Orlando restart and haven’t played a meaningful game since March 10.
“‘Yo, tomorrow needs to hurry up, I’m ready to startnow,’” Drummondsaid, describing his feelings as he laid inbed. “I’m tired of practicing, I’m tired of working out, I’m done shooting jump hooks all day. Iwant to play.
“Just ecstatic to have a fresh start in a newcity, with a new teamand new guys to really showall the hardwork we put in and howmuchwe deserved to be in that bubble last season.”
But the 27-year-old, twotime All-Star also feels a sense of rebirth as he begins a full season with the Cavs. Following the stunning Feb. 6 deadline-day trade from the Detroit Pistons, Drummond played in only eight games with his new team before COVID-19 paused the league season.
“Kinda just wipemy slate clean from the nine years I just had and really start over and rewrite everything I had
going on and really make a big change and help this teamwin,” Drummondsaid.
Drummond isn’t the only Cavs big manwho feels that way. Starting his 13th year, center JaVale McGee experienced some of the same feelings after the Los Angeles Lakers traded him on Nov. 22. Two months removed from winning his third NBA championship, he likely slept better than Drummond.
“I wasn’t surprised in the trade, I was more surprisedofwhere I got traded,” McGee said after shootaround. “I just looked into Cleveland, with everything and about the players on the roster. Andmy surprise turned into excited on a new beginning, a newchallenge.”
Drummond and McGee have taken on leadership responsibilities, along with five-time All-Star forward
Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. Drummond, 27, has embracedthatchallenge, and the joy he showed in preseason games was evident.
“It’s definitely a learning curve forme being a leader because in Detroit it was myself, Blake ⅛Griffin⅜ and Derrick ⅛Rose⅜,” Drummond said. “But here by myself with Kevin being in and out due to his injuries, I took it uponmyself to really meet with the younger guys and get them acclimated to the NBA and what it really takes to be an NBA player.
“A lot of fun getting to knoweverybody here. Been a fun journey forme and I’m looking forward to the rest.”
Drummond said he’s been in “constant communication” with rookie Isaac Okoro, the fifth overall pick from Auburn.
“He alwayscomesandasks me questions. He sits next to me in the locker room, so we’re always talking,” Drummondsaid. “Whatever hewants to knowI give him my best input and if I don’t know, I ask JaVale, who’s a three-time champion, I can get input from him as well, too
“There’s a lot of guys here whohave a lot of experience. I think our younger guys are in a really good situation where they can get a lot of advice from these veterans here, including myself.”
As forMcGee, star LeBron James is the unquestioned leader of theLakers, butnow McGee will take on more.
“It puts a bigger responsibility on my shoulders that I’m definitely excited to partake in,” McGee said. “The young guys are very observant, they listen a lot and they justwant to knowhow to win. And I definitely can help with advice.”
The Lakers gave out their NBA championship rings before Tuesday’s opener against the Los Angeles Clippers and McGee was watching. The Lakers had family members present the rings virtually, which McGee called a nice touch. He’s been through it twice before, with theGolden State Warriors in 2017 and ‘18.
Team owner Jeanie Buss also recognized members of the title team no longer with the Lakers as the ceremony began.
Asked what it meant to himto be singled out, McGee said, “Itmeans everything.”