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Home / Where Are They now / W.A.T.N.? Basketball / Hickson On The Block?

Hickson On The Block?

By on January 13, 2012

Last season JJ Hickson was riding around town with King James himself. Life couldn’t get much better. He was a starter on a team that was considered a title contender. Hickson has also been untouchable in trade talks since he was drafted since he is considered a vital building block for the future of the Cavaliers franchise.

That was then.

These days he is struggling to keep his head above water. The Cavaliers have lost 8 straight games and he recently has been removed from the starting lineup. Hickson is not having the season so far that his stellar preseason performance foreshadowed. He is averaging 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting a dismal 44%.

According to Cleveland.com, Hickson’s move to the bench has not done much to help his relationship with new head coach Byron Scott.

“I’m not adjusting very good,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any secret. Coach [Byron Scott] knows I’m not happy. My teammates know I’m not happy. But as a professional basketball player, you deal with it as a pro.”
Hickson wasn’t particularly pleased with how the demotion was handled. “The night I didn’t start I didn’t know I wasn’t going to start until 30 seconds before we went out to go warm up,” he said.

And he wasn’t thrilled with how Scott explained what he has to do to change the situation. “[Scott] said, ‘Play with energy,’ which I think I do, and that was about it,” he said.

The News-Herald is even reporting that the untouchable tag that Hickson has worn since being drafted, might be fading.

“Up until now, forward JJ Hickson has been untouchable in any trade talks.  The Cavs might be close to including his name in possible deals.  He doesn’t seem like a happy camper right now.”

It will be interesting to see how everything pans out for the former NC State forward.  Talent and potential have never been in question.  The question might just be: Where will he be playing when he fully realizes  that potential?

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  • HungryEats

    I feel for him because his taking it hard. Lebron leaving seems to have hurt him more on the court than off. I haven’t seen him play too much this year but it sounds like just a slump. So to those who’ve been watching him, has he been slacking? I only seen huge efforts from him.wonder?

    With that outta the way, I never really liked the cav’s and with the king gone, I’m happy to hear of trade rumors. Zero mojo in Cleveland these days. No matter how bad he’s played so far this year, he has huge value and there’s a lot of better teams he could be with.

  • RedWolfRising

    Hate to say it but I’m guessing Hickson was a team cancer during the McCauley/Costner saga. I seriously believe without him we would have been much better. (judging by his recent comments and interviews)

  • RedWolfRising

    Hate to say it but I’m guessing Hickson was a team cancer during the McCauley/Costner saga. I seriously believe without him we would have been much better. (judging by his recent comments and interviews)