<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <p class="storytext">INDEPENDENCE: Every training camp in sports starts with some level of uncertainty. As the Cavaliers began the defense of their first conference title Monday, uncertainly truly was the dominant emotion.</p> <p class="storytext">Without the excitement of a major addition to the roster, and with the elephant in the room the absence of unsigned, restricted free agents Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao the annual media day was devoid of the usual preseason optimism.</p> <p class="storytext">Instead there was the uneasiness of more waiting and seeing. The Cavs' top players may have been healthy and in uniform and ready to go for the first practice Monday night, but the team was simply not whole, and it was tough for many to get over.</p> <p class="storytext">''I don't know Sasha or Andy's side; I don't know (General Manager Danny Ferry's) side; but I need my soldiers here to play,'' LeBron James said. ''I hope something can get worked out. Because those two guys are a big part of our team. There's no other way you can look at it.''</p> <p class="storytext">The Cavs, who begin two-a-day workouts today at their new practice facility, are still in talks with both players. While things can change quickly in any contract negotiation, the mood and the signs did not point toward either situation being close to resolved.</p> <p class="storytext">''We like and respect both players and we feel the contract offers we have made have shown that,'' Ferry said Monday. ''Beyond that, we have to get ready with the players we have in camp.''</p> <p class="storytext">According to various league sources, Varejao's side has asked for a contract that averages roughly $11 million per season over the next six years. The Cavs are believed to have been offering a little more than half that amount.</p> <p class="storytext">As for Pavlovic, with young guards Daniel Gibson and Shannon Brown on the roster in addition to veterans Damon Jones and Devin Brown, the Cavs are believed to be taking a tough stance.</p> <p class="storytext">The players, many of whom have experienced the highs and lows of free agency, understand the business that must be done. However, there is no doubt it is causing angst.</p> <p class="storytext">''It's a big deal. For anyone that thinks it is not a big deal, they are fooling themselves,'' Jones said. ''They were two key parts of an NBA Finals basketball team.''</div></p> <p class="storytext">Source: Akron Beacon Journal</p>
