Ira Newble was signed by the Cavaliers as a defensive stopper, but nagging injuries slowed him for much of the season.

Newble, however, returned to form over the last few weeks, to the delight of coach Paul Silas.


"Ira wasn't healthy for a long time and now he's healthy and he feels good about himself," Silas said. "We understand each other and he's just playing, and this is what I envisioned. He's doing a good job right now and hopefully it's something to build on."

But more importantly to Silas, he loves Newble's competitiveness.

"Ira hates to lose worse than anyone on this team," Silas said. "When he's losing in practice, he'll take the ball and throw it at someone. He's just a tough guy."

That tough guy image has followed Newble since growing up in Detroit.

"I grew up watching the 'Bad Boys,' " Newble said. "That's something that has always stuck with me. All of those guys were tough. I tried to pattern my game after the way they played."