Mike Wilks hopes to be backing up Eric Snow and Damon Jones this season. Bruce Wimbish Cavaliers Photos

The month or so leading up to the regular season is definitely not a riveting time of the year for many of us.

But for some players this is their season. For some players, these few practices and preseason games are more than a formality – this is the time for them to fight for their NBA lives. Every workout and wind sprint matter. And when the starters are done with their run in preseason games, it’s these players’ time to shine.

“These players” are also known as “training camp invitees.” They are guys like Zendon Hamilton and Filberto Rivera and Kelenna Ozubuike. They are guys like Mike Wilks.

When training camp tipped off earlier this month, we focused mainly on the marquee battles. Would Drew Gooden start or would it be Donyell Marshall? Eric Snow or Damon Jones? Luke Jackson or Sasha Pavlovic?

Four games into the exhibition season seem to be sorting out these situations. Marshall looks good coming off the bench and Gooden doesn’t look like he’s ready to leave the starting lineup. Same with Jones and Snow. Luke Jackson has moved ahead of Pavlovic for the backup small forward role, but a hip pointer has slowed Sasha since last Tuesday.

The only battles remaining are for the precious few roster spots: notably at center and point guard. The battle to be the backup big is a three-man race between Zendon Hamilton, Obinna Ekezie and Jahidi White. Kelenna Azubuike is scrapping for time at the two. And the battle for the third point guard spot comes down to the choice between Filberto Rivera and Mike Wilks.

Wilks may not have a roster spot – yet – but he does have one thing that nobody else on the Cavaliers squad has and every one of them wants – an NBA Championship ring. He won it with San Antonio last year, albeit in an ancillary role. (With that said, he ain’t giving it back.)

“It was a privilege (to win the Championship) and I can’t complain in any shape, form or fashion. But I am looking forward to – and it’s my dream – to be out there on the court when it happens,” said Wilks. “I’m not complaining. I love getting my teammates ready and pushing my teammates, but I’d love to have a different role – one out there on the court.”

The soft-spoken Wilks played in 48 games with San Antonio last season after spending parts of the previous two seasons with Houston, Minnesota and Atlanta. His numbers reflect those of a third point guard – last year Wilks averaged 1.7 ppg; his career number is 2.3 ppg.

A stat that might matter more than Wilks’ scoring average is the number 120. That’s how many games the former Rice star has appeared in. His main competition, rookie Filberto Rivera, has yet to suit up for a regular season NBA game.

“League experience is definitely one of the things I bring to the table. I do have a couple years of experience and won the Championship with San Antonio and I hope that works in my favor, but again, I’m taking nothing for granted.”

Wilks won a Championship ring last year in San Antonio. Chris Covetta NBAE/Getty Images

So far this preseason, Wilks is averaging five points and eight minutes per game. Rivera is averaging just over two points per game and got a DNP-CD in Friday night’s matchup with Philly.

“I have to give a lot of respect to Filberto,” offered Wilks. “He’s a young talented guy who can do a little bit of everything. So, I take nothing for granted. He’s a great player. I figure it’ll be a hard decision, but I’ll just try to control what I can control.”

Wilks would rather forget his final few moments of floor time, however. On Saturday night, he was fouled attempting a three-pointer very late in the fourth quarter in Milwaukee, but hit only one of three free throws to allow the Bucks to escape with a 91-89 win. On Friday night, he had the unenviable task of guarding Allen Iverson.

But guarding solid competition is what will help Wisconsin’s former Mr. Basketball cut his teeth in this league. Throughout Cavaliers training camp, he’s had to stick with Eric Snow and Damon Jones – two point guards with distinctly different styles.

“A guy like Damon, you can’t give him too much room and you have to find him early in transition,” said Wilks. “Eric is a mid-range shooter and he’s crafty; he knows how to play the game. So any time you get to play against experienced guys, you’re going to be challenged. And I feel if you’re challenged every day like that, you have no choice but to get better.”

Like many players who climb the ranks all the way to the NBA, Wilks was once a solid scorer who now relies on his defense – he earned All-Defensive Team honors at Rice – to get minutes. And under Head Coach Mike Brown, defensive intensity is at a premium. It’s one of the reasons the former WAC Player of the Year chose Cleveland. And vice versa.

“When you go into a situation you look at the coach and the style of play,” opined Wilks. “And you know certain coaches are defensive-minded and they’re going to stress defense. They know defense wins ballgames. The offense isn’t going to click every night, but your defense can always be there.”

The 2005-06 season is a precious one for the Cavaliers. The roster is refurbished and LeBron James finally looks to have the complimentary players to push the Wine and Gold back into the playoffs. It’s the type of team that can’t be searching for players if a key injury threatens to derail a position. That’s why the choice of a third point guard – whether it’s Mike Wilks or Filberto Rivera – is so crucial.

It will be a difficult decision for the Cavaliers brass. It’s a decision that Mike Wilks hopes will go his way.

“I love it here, so far,” beamed Wilks. “My teammates and the coaching staff are great. It’s a great organization and I’m hoping and praying that I’ll be a part of it.”