profile of the 2002-2003 Cavaliers

Branson Wright of the Cleveland Plain dealer reports that Smush Parker has beaten the odds. As an undrafted rookie free agent, he was invited to the Cleveland Cavaliers? training camp to compete for a job. Now, it looks like he will be on the roster for the season opener.

He declared for the NBA draft after only two years of college and one year of high school varsity basketball. After being passed up on draft night, there were many critics that thought he should have stayed in school.

Parker arrived in camp competing against seasoned veterans like Vonteego Cummings and Anthony Johnson for a backcourt position. He started turning heads with his impressive play in the preseason.

He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter against Toronto. Then he had an impressive outing in a win over the Utah Jazz. He capped his "dream preseason" with a game-winning three-pointer to beat the Lakers in L.A.

Johnson and Cummings were released during the preseason. Yesterday?s final cuts of Nick Anderson and Harold Jamison finally secured a roster spot for Parker.

"I'm happy I made the team, and I'm happy that I proved a lot of people wrong," Parker said. "But I'm still not satisfied. I want to be in the NBA for a long time. I'm going to work hard and do the best I can. I'll be satisfied once I'm here for a while."

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers waived veteran Anthony Johnson yesterday. This is good news for rookie free agent guard William "Smush" Parker, who is hoping to snag one of the remaining roster spots. Parker, who turned pro after his sophomore season at Fordham, has shown flashes of brilliance in the preseason, including hitting a last second game winning 3 pointer to defeat the Lakers on Tuesday night.