Hollins gives Cavs media day entertaining twist

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- You know its Cavaliers media day when Ryan Hollins is toting around a FOX Sports Ohio microphone and conducting interviews on his own. Hollins is the Cavs backup center and an aspiring sports broadcaster. He even spent part of the lockout providing analysis for telecasts of UCLA games. On Monday, he played the role of reporter, seeking out the inside scoop involving everyone from Cavs veteran big man Anderson Varejao to rookie guard Kyrie Irving. For instance, Hollins stuck the mic in front of Varejao and demanded to know the secret behind Varejaos wild and curly hair. I wash it, Varejao said. Hollins also asked guard Anthony Parker (re-signed earlier in the day) which Cavs big man stuck out most in Parkers mind. After giving it some careful consideration, Parker looked at Hollins, offered a smile and provided a diplomatic response. Ryan Hollins, Parker answered. Hollins didnt stop there. He also attempted to interview Irving when Irving was wearing a headset and making a live guest appearance on a local radio station. Clearly, Hollins technique could use a little work. But hey, theres still plenty of time. The Cavs still have a season to play. And while having fun and getting to know the press (and the fans who watch, read and listen to sports reports) was a big part of the day, the Cavs also made it clear they are ready to set the tone for 2011-12. Time, of course, is of the essence. It is also crunched, thanks to a five-month lockout that shortened the season to 66 games -- as opposed to the normal 82-game schedule. Throw in the fact GM Chris Grant has less than a week to decide what to do with point guard Baron Davis and the 14.5 million trade exception and, well, things are about to get tricky. Lets start with Davis, the Cavs prime candidate to fall under the leagues new amnesty rule. That rule allows teams to waive one player and not have his salary count toward the cap. Since Davis is 32 years old with a what appears to be an ailing back, the Cavs are likely to clear themselves of the 28 million Davis is owed over the next two seasons. Actually, assuming the Cavs dont try to buy out Davis deal, they will still have to pay him. But the league only cares about the salary cap, and with Irving likely to get the ball right from the start, waiving Davis has to be considered a tempting option. As for the trade exception, the league gave the Cavs extra time with which to use it. They have until Fridays preseason game at Detroit -- and given the short notice (combined with who is available), the Cavs very well could let the exception expire. And that may not be such a bad thing, especially if the alternative is using it on someone who may not offer long-term help to the team. Or worse, someone who possesses a hefty contract and would handcuff the franchise. Grant also made it clear the Cavs are more than willing to move forward with what they have today. That includes Varejao, Semih Erden and Hollins at center, and Antawn Jamison, rookie Tristan Thompson and Samardo Samuels at power forward. Newcomer Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee are the current small forwards, with Parker, Daniel Gibson and Manny Harris at shooting guard. Assuming Davis is amnestied, Irving and Sessions would be the primary point guards. Things could change between now and when the season tips off Dec. 26 against Toronto -- but again, an overhaul appears unlikely. In fact, anything resembling an overhaul wont happen, period. But no matter how it all shakes out, one thing was pretty evident Monday. That being the idea that as long as Hollins is around, Cavs fans arent ever likely to lack information pertaining to their favorite team.