<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CLEVELAND - Flashing his disarming smile under his bouncy multicolored locks during a workout this week with teammates at Quicken Loans Arena, Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao sure looks like his old self. The mop-topped Brazilian is back early and getting extra floor time with many fellow Cavs in advance of Tuesday's training camp kickoff. But it isn't the same Wild Thing; it can't be. His personality is as bubbly as ever, but Varejao is carrying a new burden. He's facing a crucial season with major financial implications and some hefty expectations he created with his timely play last season. All while trying to heal from an injury and international controversy. ``This has been a disappointing summer; it is something I am really trying to put in the past,'' Varejao said. ``I want to forget it.'' Cavs fans' most recent memories of Varejao come from the narrow loss in May's conference semifinals against the Detroit Pistons. He averaged nine points and four rebounds in 20 explosive minutes per game off the bench. He seemed to single-handedly shred the Pistons' potent defense for enough points to help carry the Cavs to three wins. In August, while playing for Team Brazil at the FIBA World Championship, Varejao started complaining of a bizarre fatigue in his legs that team doctors couldn't diagnose. His play showed it as he shot 31 percent and averaged nearly three turnovers per game. The Brazilians, shockingly, didn't advance past the preliminary round. ``I still don't know what it was. I tried massages and everything to get over it but nothing worked,'' Varejao said. ``Maybe it was all the travel. We flew from Brazil to Paris to China and then to Japan. It took us two days to get there.'' Varejao said a month off seemed to alleviate the symptoms, and he has declared himself fit for the start of training camp. Taking no chances, the Cavs intend to restrict his playing time in the preseason to keep him fresh for the start of the season. That wasn't all that happened in Japan. In a game against Greece, Varejao elbowed guard Nikos Zisis during a drive to the basket. Varejao claims it was an accident. Zisis, who suffered several broken bones in his face and has undergone several surgeries, and his Greek teammates believe it was intentional. Zisis has threatened to sue Varejao. ``I was upset about it. It happened when we were down 17 points and trying to make steals to get back into the game,'' Varejao said. ``I've never done anything like this in my life. ``I went for the ball and he was hit with my elbow. It was bad luck for him. I feel bad for him. I understand why he was mad. I tried to tell him this after the game. But I want all that to be in the past now.''</div> Source
