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The Cavaliers started J.J. Hickson in place of Anderson Varejao, who was having lower back spasms. Hickson, whom James has mentored during the offseason, had 15 points and six rebounds and was the only Cleveland starter playing in the final minutes as the Cavaliers held off several Bobcats runs.

Hickson followed James around all summer, working out whenever they could find the time and hanging out with James' family.l

"I see the potential in him. If he just had a good work ethic, that could help him," James said. "He learned more about being a man also, growing up, being around me and my family and things like that -- I think it helped him."

Hickson played 29 minutes, more than any other Cavalier, and coach Mike Brown said he wanted to see what the second-year player from North Carolina State could do if he got a chance. "For him to be able to do some of the things he's done so far, it's good to see," Brown said.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291010030

Hickson continues strong preseason push as Cleveland Cavaliers outlast Charlotte Bobcats, 102-96


"J.J. is working," said Cavs coach Mike Brown, who was disappointed with his team's transition defense and 13 turnovers. "He has made great strides from last year. His athleticism is something we haven't had a lot of, and for him to be able to do some of the things he has done so far has been good to see. He still needs to continue to try to work on being physical and not just relying on his athleticism all the time."

Several times during timeouts Shaquille O'Neal took Hickson aside to talk to him.

"J.J. did an excellent job," O'Neal said. "He knows what his role is. He's not really going to have a lot of plays called for him, but I think he can get a lot of easy buckets from the pick and roll, especially when myself or LeBron is not in the game. He has to take advantage of those opportunities. Tonight he played very well. If he can continue to play like that, he's going to be a force for this team."

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... prese.html

Hickson learning his lessons from Cavs' big stars

Consider that statement — which sounds a lot like something LeBron James would say — as proof that Hickson spent quite a bit of his offseason with the Cavs superstar.

“I had J.J. with me all summer, for the most part, before I went overseas,” said James, who worked with Hickson at Cleveland Clinic Courts, in Akron and even in San Diego. “Everywhere I went, I had him with me working out with me because I knew the potential that he had. And he’s definitely implementing everything he learned this summer from myself and from himself, and doing it on the court.”

“I think I’ve added a little bit of range to my jump shot, out to 15 to 17 feet,” he said. “Other than that, I’m working on running the floor hard ... just playing hard on the defensive end and doing whatever Coach Brown asks.”

http://www.cantonrep.com/cavs/x57653935 ... -big-stars