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Daniel Gibson just got promoted, at least for the time being.
With Mo Williams and Delonte West out because of injuries, Gibson will become the Cavaliers starting point guard.
Williams sprained his left shoulder during the Cavs win against the Raptors on Tuesday and will be out 4-to-6 weeks. West broke his left ring finger against the Lakers on Thursday night in his first game since replacing Wiliams in the starting lineup.
It is still unknown how long West will be out, but, in the mean time, the team will turn to Gibson to run point.
The 23-year-old is averaging 5.6 points this season, his lowest per game average since he was a rookie. The last few weeks he has been little more than a spectator, having played in just seven of the Cavaliers last 14 games.
Although he doesn’t like seeing his teammates sidelined, Gibson can’t help but be happy to be back out on the court.
“The last couple weeks I’ve been hoping to catch some minutes and looks like now I got my wish,” said Gibson. “You get these opportunities and when they come you just want to take advantage of them.”
The fourth-year pro has played well this season when given extended minutes. He has scored in double-figures nine times, including a 15-point game against the Bulls in early December where he went a near-perfect 7-9 from the field.
Gibson knows what he is capable and so does his coach.
“The thing that he has done is really opened us his game to a point where he is not relying just on that catch-and-shoot three.,” said Cavs coach Mike Brown. ”He can go make plays for others.”
The former University of Texas standout hasn’t had more than four assists in a game this season, but will need to look to be a quality distributor now that he hold the reins to the Cavaliers offense.
It shouldn’t be to difficult with the likes of LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal alongside him.
“I think the best thing about this team is I don’t have to go out there and try and do something amazing,” said Gibson. “… We have a lot of guys on the floor that our capable of doing big things. What I have to do our there is just go out there and be solid.”
To help loosen the burden on Gibson, the Cavaliers signed guard Cedric Jackson from the NBDL to a 10-day contract on Saturday.
Jackson was the playing with the Erie BayHawks, who are the Cavs D-League affiliate. He has averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists this season with the BayHawks.
It is unknown if the Cavaliers expect to give Jackson much playing or just need him as insurance incase they lose another guard to injury.
Gibson will begin his stint as starting point guard for the Cavaliers on Saturday against the Thunder as he tries to lighten the blow of losing Williams and West.
“Those guys will be back sooner than you think,” said Gibson. ”For me it’s just a matter of going out there and just taking care of my business.”

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Sat, Jan 23, 2010
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