Throw-in Sundov shows some skills at Cavs camp

10/13/03

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter


The trade that sent J.R. Bremer and Bruno Sundov to the Cavaliers in exchange for Jumaine Jones didn''t have much to do with Sundov.

The Cavs were in need of an outside shooter and Bremer is the player who will fill that need. Sundov, in essence, was merely thrown in to balance the books of the deal. But that hasn''t exactly been the case for the 7-2 Sundov during training camp.

Sundov is entering his sixth year in the NBA. Sundov, a native of Croatia, was a second-round *** by the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. The center spent two years with Dallas, two years in Indiana and last season with Boston. Sundov hasn''t been setting the league on fire. He has a career average of 1.8 points per game and 1.1 rebounds.

Despite his numbers, Sundov still believes he has a place in this league.

"I can play the center position or the forward position," Sundov said. "I can play wherever the Cavs need me. I can play the four because I can shoot the ball and play the high post. I know with my size that I should face the basket, but I''ll play any position."

Sundov will first need some minutes to prove his worth. He hasn''t played more than 138 minutes in any season. Sundov hasn''t had much of an opportunity to develop because of the teams he has played on and because of his youth. Sundov broke into the league at 18 and then he joined a Mavericks team loaded at the four and five positions. That was the same issue during his stint with the Pacers, and he received most of his playing time in Boston because of injuries.

Nevertheless, coach Paul Silas has seen some potential during training camp.

"He''s been doing a good job," Silas said. "Little by little he''s getting more confidence in his ability. He''s shooting a hook shot now. Before, it was a fadeaway jumper. He''s going to the basket and if he continues to work and improve, who knows, we may have found ourselves something."

That something could mean Sundov could get into the rotation, especially when Silas wants to show teams a different look on defense.

"I can foresee putting him and Z out there in the zone together," Silas said.

"That would be tough for teams to go inside and that would be tough to shoot over."

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