In recent years, guard Wesley Person often wasn't even in the game down the stretch. Now, not only is Person on the floor, but the Cavaliers also are actually looking for him.
``Last year I had really no plays run for me,'' Person said. ``But (in Tuesday's 100-88 win over Detroit) I had three plays called for me down the stretch. I know when the game is on the line, I'll get plays called for me.''
Person is a new man this season, and it shows on the stat sheet. His scoring average of 12.6 is his highest since he put up 14.7 in 1997-98.
Person had seen his scoring average decline in each of the three previous seasons. It dropped to 11.1 to 9.2 to a career-low 7.1 last season. But everything is different under new coach John Lucas. Person estimates he has about 15 plays called for him each game.
``I'm touching the ball more instead of being just a decoy,'' said Person, averaging 35.1 minutes compared to 21.8 last season. ``I'm more involved in the offense, and it's carrying down to the other end and making me play better.''
Person clashed the previous two seasons with former coach Randy Wittman, who benched him at shooting guard in favor of Bob Sura and later Matt Harpring. But Person has had no problems with Lucas, who went so far as to bring in his brother, Chuck Person, a former NBA star, as an assistant coach to help Person's psyche.