Providing the Spark

clejgabriele

“The Odd Couple” has the cool theme song, but the relationship between 11-year vet Jeff Green and rookie Cedi Osman might actually be closer to Red and Andy of “The Shawshank Redemption” than Felix and Oscar. Kindred spirits of different ages from different backgrounds bound together by a common cause.

That’s an awfully haughty way to describe the unique friendship of Green and Osman – Cavalier teammates who genuinely enjoy each other’s company on and off the court.

On Cavs.com, we routinely do a feature called “Rookie Tales” – and a standard question to every player is: ‘Which veteran took you under his wing as a rookie?’

Green’s answer – from his freshman season in Seattle – was Kurt Thomas. Cedi’s answer, when he’s asked years from now, will unquestionably be Jeff Green.

Originally drafted by the Celtics with the fifth overall pick in 2007, Green found the perfect landing spot in Cleveland – where he’s been one of the steadiest and most productive members of the Cavaliers’ second unit – with 14 games as a starter in the mix. The former Georgetown star averaged 10.6 points per contest (13.6 ppg as a starter), notching double-figures in 33 games during the regular season and in four of his last six Playoff outings.

Osman, who just turned 23 in April, made his NBA debut this year after a strong stint in Europe. Like most rookies on a title contender, Osman’s minutes were limited – although he did have a very good 10-game midseason stretch, averaging 8.9 points and posting double-figures in five contests before a hip flexor injury temporarily derailed him.

Green and Osman essentially play the same position and play it similarly. They’ve had some intense battles in practice and some big laughs in the locker room. (They’re lockers are directly next to each other at The Q and that’s now spread to the road.)

Any fan who’s seen Cedi’s pregame dance routines in tunnel or him exploding off the bench and into LeBron’s arms after a game-winner know that he’s got all the energy and enthusiasm of a 23-year-old. Green, who’s got a sneakier sense of humor, brings more of a veteran cool. (And it’s part of the reason he tries to avoid Osman on gamedays.)

In today’s installment of "Providing the Spark", we look at two of the Cavaliers closest comrades – a duo that made Cleveland’s bench one of the most cohesive, efficient and entertaining units in the league.

JEFF GREEN … on how the friendship got started …

I didn't necessarily individually take him under my wing. The friendship just kind of formed. And with that friendship, it became kind of a veteran/rookie type of thing, and it formed that way.

I mean, he has many guys to look up to -- myself, LeBron, JR. We're all there for him.

But when I first met him, I got to know him a little bit, got to know his personality. I saw how hard he worked and you don't typically get rookies who want to listen, who want to work hard and who enjoy the grind of this NBA professional life.

I saw it in him. He loved it, and we just kind of gravitated toward each other and we just became friends.

CEDI OSMAN … on how their friendship got started …

Well, our lockers were next to each other. And from the beginning of the season, I think just me and Jeff, our energy is so high. Of course, he's older than me and more experienced, he likes to work, he likes basketball. He likes to play and he has high energy – and I'm the same way.

So that's why our friendship is even more stronger. Jeff is a great guy. He's my older brother. We do a lot of things together, like dinner on the road, hanging out with each other. It's just great having him here.

We've had a really good relationship since the beginning of the year. I mean, like in the beginning it was not like this, of course. But then, you know, day by day we got closer and they put (our lockers) next to each of us and from then it started.

JEFF GREEN … on how Cedi is different than most rookies …

We spend a lot of time together off the court, as far as team dinners and things like that. We both enjoy life, we always have a positive attitude towards coming in and doing what we have to do and working hard and making sure that we're prepared.

As a rookie, it's hard to see that enthusiasm every day. There's typically a wall you hit during your rookie year where their energy goes down. Cedi’s always kept the gym alive because of his energy and passion for basketball and really the way he goes about his everyday life. And that's how I am. So when I saw that, we just kind of grew a relationship out of that because we enjoy similar things.

CEDI OSMAN … on “fitting into” a new culture in the States …

Here, it's a different culture. So, we've been hanging out a lot together and in the last couple of weeks he was telling me that I’m getting Americanized. Everybody keeps telling me that: 'You're getting too Americanized -- like you're starting to talk like an American and stuff.'

I mean, I'm just trying to do my best to fit in.

JEFF GREEN … on battling against each other in practice …

We push each other, first and foremost, but we also understand that it's bigger than ourselves, what we're trying to accomplish here.

We know that when we come into the gym -- for instance, this morning, him and I and Kyle, we're going to push each other to be better. We know there's not any animosity towards each other.

And I think that's what we enjoy out of this journey: making sure that you know we're prepared for what's to come you know in the future -- whether it's this week against Boston or even next year, making sure that he understands that it's going to be a grind. It's always a grind, but you always need to be prepared.

CEDI OSMAN … on battling against each other in practice …

He likes to play fast, I like to play fast. He's always moving with high energy and that's how I'm playing. So that's why I think our game style, our playing style and our friendship is kind of like perfect.

We’ve had a couple one-on-ones and those are fun, for sure. Him and Kyle. It's very good.

JEFF GREEN … on Cedi staying ready despite not playing much  …

He's good. He understands that this is bigger than the individual. He understands that it's a team thing.

But the great thing about Cedi is that he's always going to be prepared. You saw him last game, Game 4 against Toronto. He was ready to go – came in with good energy, made some plays. That's Cedi, he's always going to be prepared. He always comes to the gym ready to work.

CEDI OSMAN … on staying ready despite not playing much  …

He's always telling me to stay ready. You know, he keeps reminding me I'm rookie and not playing is normal for the first year. He tries to help me – not just about basketball; about everything.

JEFF GREEN … on Cedi learning his gameday routine  …

I mean, it's just a matter of I'm 11 years in and this is first year. So, you know, in his mind, this is just basketball.

We're very much the same, but we also have different ways that we get ready for certain things. During the regular season, that's us – 24/7 – but in the Playoffs, with this being my 11th year and having this opportunity that comes along once in a blue moon, having a chance to compete for an NBA Championship. You know, I have a certain way of getting prepared, and he doesn't know that version yet. He knows the regular season version.

I mean, I told him once and it is what it is. He knows he needs to pick his spots. That's just a way of him getting to know me and this is how I am on gamedays, say, 60 minutes before a game. He understands that now.

So it took some getting used to, but that's how you get to know each other -- you figure it out.

CEDI OSMAN … on learning Jeff Green’s gameday routine  …

Like, he doesn't want to talk to me on gamedays almost that time.

He just wants to get focused on the game and sometimes I'm thinking that, you know, being TOO focused not good.

So I'm just trying to do a couple of jokes or something just to make him relax you know. And he's like: 'No, man. No! It's gameday.' And I'll be like: 'Ok, ok, man! Just relax. I know you need to be focused, but just relax a little bit!.'

the-odd-couple

The Odd Couple

Just before the end of the regular season, the Wine &amp; Gold bolstered their bench by inking veteran big man Kendrick Perkins for the rest of the season.

Perkins won a Championship with Boston in 2008 and was part of the Cavaliers’ 2015 Finals run. He came to Training Camp this fall and spent a portion of this season with the Canton Charge, appearing in 27 games (17 starts) – averaging 8.7 points and 7.2 boards on 53 percent shooting from the floor.

In this installment of "Providing the Spark" presented by Phantom Fireworks, we sat down with Big Perk to talk Pacers, G League and his first career Playoff experience off the bench …

What’s your assessment of the Game 1 loss on Sunday?

Kendrick Perkins: Well, I think (Indiana) just came out and punched us in the mouth. I think they came out with a physical mindset, they put pressure on us, they knocked us off our spots.

But I just think we need to be more physical in Game 2. We didn't play basketball the way we're capable of playing. So, we've just been emphasizing being more physical and being ready for the challenge.

Plus, you had a couple of guys – it was their first time being in the Playoffs and a couple of guys who haven't been in a while.

That's no excuse, but it's always good to get that first game under your belt -- good or bad.

Were you nervous in your first Playoff appearance?

Perkins: It was the craziest thing – my first time ever playing in a Playoff game, it was my second year. We were playing against the Pacers and I didn't play.

And Paul (Pierce) and Jamaal Tinsley had gotten into some kind of altercation and Paul got kicked out. But he had gotten fouled before that, so they had to pick a free throw shooter and they wound up picking me. I missed both – but we won the game.

But I was nervous and all (messed) up about it. It was loud and crazy in there!

What’s your role with the team here in the postseason?

Perkins: Well, you know I just come in and I just do my job, work hard and just be here for any guy who needs any type of advice.

Whether I suit up or not, I'm still gonna come in and punch the clock and do whatever it takes -- bring that experience. And if T. Lue calls my name, I’ll be ready.

What are some of the similarities and differences from your first go-round in 2015?

Perkins: You have a couple new faces, but you have guys that are hungry. You can just feel the energy level. The vibe is good.

It feels good to be around young guys who listen -- guys like J.C. (Jordan Clarkson), and Larry (Nance Jr.), who's like a sponge. It feels good to be around those guys, and I think that's the biggest difference.

But you've still got LeBron, KLove, JR, Tristan -- a good core group has got a lot of experience.

After Monday’s practice, the coaches all gathered around you afterward. What are those meetings like?

Perkins: Well, I love picking the coach's brain, just to see where everybody's at.

And sometimes it is better that way, because if I'm getting a good feel of what the coach is thinking, sometimes I can relay the message to some of the guys in a different tone so they'll know what the coaches expect of him.

You got a huge ovation when you appeared in the regular season finale. How does it feel to be a fan favorite?

Perkins: (laughs) You know what, I didn't know I was a fan favorite until then. But it felt great, man. It felt great just to be embraced in that way, and it makes you want to come in and work harder every day.

You can go a lot of places where you're not accepted. That's the biggest thing, being accepted – not just by the Cavs but by the whole community. You go into a store and people say: 'Hey Perk, it's great to have you back' or something like that.

It feels great and it's humbling and at the end of the day it just makes you work that much harder.

You did a lot of work with rookie Ante Zizic this year. How do you feel he’s progressed?

Perkins: You know what? I think he plays his ass off. Every time he got the opportunity, I think he played well. I think he played good minutes and fit his role to a T.

I always knew he could score, but I was more impressed with him on the defensive end -- blocking shots and altering shots at the rim. And he keeps getting better.

And during the season, when he wasn't getting playing time, they didn't choose to send him to Canton, he asked to go to Canton. And you like that kind of hunger in a younger guy.

So, I kind of took Big Z under my wing and we kind of rock together a little bit.

Did your time in the G League give you a new appreciation for what those guys go through?

Perkins: Oh, absolutely! Every G League player, man, I love to death because I know at the end of the day, there's a lot of guys down there who are making a sacrifice, passing up big money from overseas just to try to reach their goal of being in the NBA.

What do the Cavs need to do to get this series back in their favor?

Perkins: Well, we’ve just got to go out there and be more physical. I think we know what we have to do.

It's not panic mode, but we're kind of in a must-win situation on Wednesday, for sure. We just have to take this one game at a time -- not look too far ahead. We just have to take care of Wednesday and after that we'll worry about Friday and then Sunday.

But we need to come out on Wednesday and hit 'em good.

Here’s a look at some of the top Playoff performances by past Cavaliers' reserves …

Donyell Marshall – 2006 First Round - Game 6 vs. Washington – In just 14 seconds off the bench, Damon Jones stole the thunder from Donyell Marshall in the Cavaliers’ first Playoff series win in 13 years. D. Jones famously hit the game-winner in overtime, giving Cleveland the dramatic 114-113 victory, but it was Marshall that put the Wine &amp; Gold in that position – scoring 28 points in 29 minutes off the bench, going 11-for-15 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from three-point range to go with eight boards.

Hot Rod Williams – 1992 First Round - Game 4 vs. New Jersey – The Cavaliers hadn’t won a Playoff series since the Miracle of Richfield in 1976 when the Cavaliers moved past the New Jersey Nets in four games to begin their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. One of the greatest reserves in team history, Williams scored double-figures in 30 of his 39 games off the bench in the postseason, with 10 games of double-digit boards. But one of his best came in an elimination game against New Jersey in which he came off the bench to tally 20 points, 13 boards, five steals and a pair of blocks.

Daniel Gibson – 2007 Eastern Conference Finals - Game 7 vs. New Jersey – After LeBron’s epic Game 5 performance in Detroit, the Cavs came home for Game 6 looking to punch a ticket to the franchise’s first trip to the Finals. But it wasn’t James who led the way – instead deferring to red-hot rookie Boobie Gibson, who had a game for the ages – canning all five three-pointers he attempted, going 7-of-9 from the floor overall and 12-of-15 from the stripe, finishing with 31 points and effectively ending Detroit’s dominance of the East.

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When Big Perk Talks, People Listen

Generally, this feature is dedicated for the Cavs' reserves. However, exceptions will be made in today's installment for a player who has embodied the definition of "Providing the Spark" all season long for the Wine &amp; Gold.

Whether he's coming off the bench, cheering from the pine or leading the starting five, Jose Calderon's passion is prevalent.

In Tuesday night's 112-106 victory over the East-leading Toronto Raptors - the franchise Calderon broke into the league with back in 2005 - the crafty veteran floor general posted a season-high 19 points (11 in the 1st Q) on 7-11 (.636) shooting, including a 3-5 (.600) clip from distance, four assists, four rebounds and a game-high tying two steals in 26 minutes.

With the win, the Cavaliers improved to 4-0 at The Q this season when Calderon scores in double figures.

As valuable as Jose's leadership and steadiness has been during his 23 appearances in a reserve role this campaign, it's what he's been able to accomplish directing the first unit that's been most impressive. In 32 starts, the Wine &amp; Gold are 23-9 when Calderon gets the opening nod.

Much like former Cavalier James Jones, Calderon remains ready and his professionalism when being thrown into any situation doesn't go unnoticed by his coaches or teammates.

"He’s been terrific for us. He’s been really, really good for us," praised Associate Head Coach Larry Drew following Tuesday's victory. "As I mentioned before, he’s been the consummate pro the way he’s handled this situation with guys being out and him starting, and when we get those guys back, he goes to the bench. He's just been an unbelievable professional, the type of guy you just love to coach.”

Kevin Love echoed Coach Drew's comments about Jose.

"He’s just one of those guys who you just say is a consummate pro. Just brings it every single day, comes in does his job. On the defensive end, he picks up full court and brings us a whole different energy. On both sides of the ball, he’s super scrappy. On the offensive end, he gets us into our sets, is always hitting shots gets into the lane and always makes the right play. So he’s just always very solid for us and he helps us in a lot of ways.”

As the Wine &amp; Gold get set to close out the regular season in one week, they will undoubtedly rely on all the ways Calderon can impact the game as they prepare for another long postseason run.

As documented in the graphic above, the 2017-18 bench bunch is on the verge of rewriting the franchise's record book. With their 41.2 points per game average, they are on pace to become the highest scoring Cavaliers bench of all-time surpassing the 1991-92 squad's 36.9 points per game.

The catalyst for the early 90s Cavs' reserves was the late, great John "Hot Rod" Williams.

Williams played nine seasons with the Cavaliers, reaching the postseason in six of them. He averaged double-figures in every season with Cleveland – 12.9 ppg during the regular season, 12.4 ppg in the playoffs. The former Tulane star’s best season was in 1989, when he came off the bench to average 16.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.04 blocked shots per contest.

One-third of the best frontcourt in the organization’s history, Hot Rod – famous for his flat-top – never played less than 67 games in any season with the Cavaliers. The franchise’s all-time records are filled with contributions from Williams.

He wrapped up his 13-year career after the 1998-99 season – playing two years with the Suns and one with Dallas.

Back in 2011, Cavs.com sat down with the Hot Rod for a, "Where Are They Now?", feature and here are a few excerpts from that interview ...

The Cavaliers teams you played for were always labeled “good guys.” Was that the actual personality of the team?

Williams: I think our personality as a team, we were like a family.

I played with other teams, but in Cleveland it was more family-oriented. A lot of guys liked Louisiana food and on Sundays, when we didn’t have anything to do, a lot of guys would come over to my house for dinner.

We rode to the airport together. We all did a lot of stuff together.

Was it because so many of you came into the league together at the same time?

Williams: I think the big reason was that a lot of us were married when we were young. We had our wives there and our wives got along with each other.

So we were more ‘home’ guys and we had kids, and our kids grew up together. And I think that made us more like a family team.

How much did head coach Lenny Wilkens contribute to that chemistry?

Williams: We couldn’t ask for a better coach.

When I first got there, George Karl was the coach. I loved him. He was a mean coach, but off the court he was a good guy.

But Coach Lenny Wilkens – he was a guy you had to do what he said to do. And there were no days off. But he really was particular about what he wanted to do. If you didn’t do it his way, you weren’t going to be there. And if you did it his way, you were going to play.

I played for Mike Fratello. I played for Don Nelson, one of the all-time winningest coaches. I played for Cotton Fitzsimmons, Danny Ainge. But I think out of all them, I liked Lenny’s attitude best.

He was a player’s coach. He was one of those guys: He didn’t just care about what you were doing as a basketball player, he wanted to know how you were doing with life, too.

Do you have a specific memory – an instance or a particular game – that you hold special from your time in Cleveland?

Williams: I think about one time, I missed practice for some reason. We were in the playoffs and there was some concern of whether they should play me or not. And I stole the ball for the win against New Jersey.

And the other time, we were playing Boston. We needed to win Game 6. And I was at the free throw line late in the game, and I said, “God, if you’ve ever been with me, be with me now.”

And Boston kept icing me on the free throw line. The goal was moving. The whole building was rocking. I made the first one – (I didn’t care about the second one) – and we won the game.

So that’s one moment I’ll never forget, because we came home and beat Boston in that series.

That series against Boston in 1992 was a classic.

Williams: The thing about that series: they had the big three and we had the big three.

They had the old guys: Robert Parish, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale. And over here you had Larry Nance, me and Brad (Daugherty). It was the old against the young. And that was something really nice to be a part of.

You had a starter’s skill-set, and certainly the numbers. But you always seemed comfortable with your role coming off the bench.

Williams: I knew what my job was every night. Coach Lenny knew that I was a guy who knew what I was in the offense. I got most of my scoring from offensive rebounds, tipped balls, fast breaks, steals, things like that. But the offense was run through everybody else.

I was a guy who did the dirty work and I had no problem with it. But the thing about it – one night I might have to guard Patrick Ewing. Brad was the center, but coach would put me on him. Next night might be David Robinson, next night might be Dominique Wilkins. Or Charles Barkley.

I knew that every night, I would have my hands full. Coach would say, ‘Hot Rod, you’ve got to guard these guys’ and just put me on them.

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Calderon's Passion Contagious in Any Role

Does being a left-handed shooter have any advantages?

Rodney Hood: Not really as a shooter, but when guys guard you, it throws them off and takes them a while to adjust. So, I try to use that to my advantage to keep people off balance because people don't grow up going against a lot of lefties.

Did you ever go against a guy who didn’t know (and you knew he didn’t know)?

Hood: (laughs) Well actually, most of the time, even if they do know, it still takes them a while to adjust. Most guys are used to guarding right foot up, and I like to attack the right leg first so ... it's worked out pretty well for me so far.

How were you and the new guys able to hit the ground running in those first two games?

Hood: I think the biggest thing is not coming in, thinking too much. There's a lot to pick up on. We've still got a lot to learn, but at the same time, just coming in and bringing energy to the game.

And I think that's how we're going to fit regardless of whether we'd picked up the offense or not.

Be active on defense and, offensively, just play together, play the game the right way, run the floor and have active bodies. I think that's the biggest thing we've been doing.

Did it help that you arrived with three other guys?

Hood: Oh yeah, it definitely did. George (Hill) is a guy I played with in Utah. So, that was good. Jordan (Clarkson) and I came into the league together the same year. So coming here is fresh for all of us is good; it lessened the anxiety of the whole thing.

How do you see this opportunity – being fast-tracked and gunning for an NBA title?

Hood: It's a great opportunity for me, just being in my fourth year and getting the chance to compete for a Championship. You have to take the steps to do it.

I've never been in this type of situation, but you want to come in, just play hard and try to advance -- and hopefully get to the Finals.

How did your mindset change this season – going from a starter to a reserve role?

Hood: It changed a little bit -- but in a good way, especially when I was in Utah. It was kind of like I felt like I was too good to come off the bench in Utah, and it helped my play.

And now I keep that edge. I feel like coming off the bench I have a favorable matchup every night. That's how I feel – especially here, now.

How do you see your opportunities shaping up with this second unit?

You have Jordan being aggressive, drawing a ton of attention. You have Kyle Korver, who's the best pure shooter in the league. Jeff (Green) is so underrated with his athleticism and his ability to handle the ball. And then Larry (Nance Jr.) puts a lot of pressure on the rim. Guys will have to leave me and help on his roll, so that frees me up.

This second unit can be really, really good. We have to keep learning and pick up some things, but we've had a good start so far.

Any expectations for your first home game at The Q?

Hood: Man, I'm excited! I think we're ALL excited just to get back playing basketball and it's our first home game. We kind of got some of the nerves out on the road. But coming home, we obviously want to play in that great atmosphere.

And I'm pretty sure it's gonna be rockin'.

When you think back about the great reserves in Cavaliers history, two-time All-Star Terrell Brandon rarely comes to mind.

But before emerging as one of the franchise’s best point guards, he was an apprentice for three years under arguably the Cavaliers’ cream of the crop at that position – Mark Price.

Drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 1991 Draft after a record-breaking career at Oregon, Brandon had to wait his turn behind the perennial All-Star, who was in the prime of his career despite coming off an injury the previous season.

Brandon still flourished off the bench in those early years. The Portland native was solid, skilled and durable through his first two seasons – playing in all 82 games, averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 assists. In his rookie season, he was part of the most productive second unit in team history (until this year’s group).

The soft-spoken Brandon credited both Price and another little-known former Cavs guard for his baptism into the Association.

”It was extremely easy,” recalled Brandon. “I think John Morton really helped me before Price was even ready to play. I was able to learn from John Morton during those first couple weeks and that helped me out tremendously. And then once I started the first couple weeks and Mark came in, and I went to where I was supposed to be anyway – a backup.

”But I was able to pick (Price)’s brain and see how he was dealing with the veterans, more than just the young players. Because I knew that the veterans were the players who I was going to be playing with consistently. And I wanted to know how he was talking to them, even though I was a young player. And granted, I was really, really fortunate to have veterans with zero egos – guys like Larry Nance, Hot Rod Williams, Craig Ehlo, Price, Brad Daugherty. These were just laid-back gentlemen, and I think that really helped me a lot.”

Brandon would eventually take over where Price left off in 1995-96, earning his first All-Star appearance while averaging 19.3 points and 6.4 assists per contest in his first year as a starter.

He was even better the following year, making his second straight trip to the Midseason Classic and establishing himself as the squad’s floor general. During that season, Sports Illustrated featured him on the cover, labeling him “The Best Point Guard in the NBA.”

The Cavs have had some great lead guards patrolling the backcourt during their existence. But they may never have the embarrassment of riches that they did when Mark Price and Terrell Brandon were their one-two punch at the point.

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New-Look Second Unit Ready for Their Closeup

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G - John Battle (1991-95) – Before “swagger” was a thing, Cavaliers veteran guard John Battle brought it to Cleveland after a successful six-year run with the Hawks, giving a nice-guy team an edge it desperately needed.

F - Hot Rod Williams (1986-95) -- Probably the most accomplished Sixth Man in team history, Hot Rod could have started for almost any team in the league, but he came off the bench in a stellar nine-year run with some of the franchise’s most successful squads.

C - Mark West (1984-88, 1996-97) – There are very few franchise records not held by LeBron James, but the rugged center from Old Dominion still holds one of them as the Cavaliers all-time field goal percentage leader – patrolling the paint for George Karl’s Comeback Cavs and later for a single season with Mike Fratello.

F - Anderson Varejao (2004-05) – Originally a “throw-in” from Orlando as a second-rounder, Varejao – the fifth-ranked rebounder in Cavaliers franchise history – manning the middle for a dozen years as a tough defender and fan favorite during some of the organization’s greatest moments.

G - Boobie Gibson (2006-07) – In terms of epic Playoff moments, they don’t get much bigger than Daniel Gibson’s Game 6 outburst in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, but Boobie was a solid contributor on both ends for the better part of seven seasons after joining the Cavs as a second-rounder out of Texas in 2006.

HONORABLE MENTION: Damon Jones, Dick Snyder, Steve Kerr, Delonte West, Lonnie Shelton, Edgar Jones, Danny Ferry, John Lambert, Terrell Brandon

What’s the mindset a second unit player takes to scoring table?

Jeff Green: We're there to do a job -- to manage the game or to bring energy to the game, to keep things stable, to play defense and get out on transition, get easy looks and get our first unit a rest. That's our job. There's no scheme for what we do. We give effort, we play together and we play unselfishly.

Do you think of yourselves as a unit or a collection of individuals?

Green: Both. We play as a unit and we play together. We play well collectively no matter who's in that unit. That's what we preach and that's what we do.

We know who we are. We know what D. Wade does, we know what Kyle does, we know what I do. So we play to those advantages. We want to orchestrate what the defense does; we don't want the defense dictating to us. We know each other's strengths, we know each other's spots on the floor and we try to put each other in great spots to succeed.

Is this group a good fit for you individually?

Green:  Well, Kyle and Dwyane -- they both fit so well with each other and what we do. I'm a guy who, in transition, can get to the rim. Kyle's a great shooter and Dwyane can do everything. So, we play well off each other and that's what we've been doing and that's why we've been so successful.

Sometimes you make the game look effortless. How do you keep that level of poise?

Green:  I can't speak for other players, but it's just me knowing who I am, being comfortable with what I do and know what I can't. And when you're good at what you do, you make it look easy, I guess.

I just try to play my strengths and whatever the outcome is, I'll live with it. I play without regret and I just play hard.

At the end of the day, it's all about effort and playing with joy, and that's what I try to do. I don't think about stats, I just stay in the moment and play the game.

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Second Unit Staying the Course

The history of the Eastern Conference in the 90s is littered with the trail of teams that tried – and failed – to get past Michael Jordan’s Bulls. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers are among that fraternity.

This year, the Cavaliers bench is looking to become the highest-scoring second unit in franchise history – currently ranked 5th in the Association, averaging 40.5 points per contest. They’re looking to best the mark of the 1991-92 Cavaliers squad that won 57 games, kayoed the Nets in the First Round, ended Larry Bird’s career in the Semifinals and took the eventual NBA Champion Bulls to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

After a pair of injury-plagued seasons, the Cavaliers bulked up their depth in the 1991 offseason – drafting Terrell Brandon with the 11th overall pick and acquiring veteran guard John Battle through free agency.

Battle and Hot Rod Williams – one of the top sixth men in franchise history – averaged double-figures that season and Brandon saw action in all 82 games as a rookie. Battle tallied double-figure scoring in 44 games that season and Hot Rod Williams doubled-up in a dozen contests off the bench. Even Steve Kerr notched double-figures on 11 occasions.

But neither Cleveland’s deep bench – nor the three All-Stars (Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and Mark Price) – were enough to eventually get past MJ and the Bulls.

After not seeing much floor time early, what’s it been like working your way into the rotation?

Cedi Osman: For me to be in the rotation and play with the second unit is very important. Thanks to my teammates, I'm confident. Also, thanks to the coaches -- they believed in me enough to play with the second team. I'm just doing my best to bring the energy. And if I'm able to play with confidence, it's because my teammates and coaches believed in me.

Was it (or has it been) difficult staying patient?

Osman: This in my first year and I know what's going on: I know we're a Championship team and we have a lot of good players -- and I know that I have to wait for my time, so I'll just stay patient and work hard.

Any concern about minutes with guys like I.T., Shump and D. Rose returning to the rotation?

Osman: I mean, those are the players who are definitely going to be in rotation. But I'll always be ready whenever -- however many minutes I can get. When the time comes, I'll be ready and I'll take that challenge.

Kevin Love, on the bench’s fourth-quarter defense in their January 2 win over Portland …