Cleveland Cavaliers' J.J. Hickson working on getting his starting job back

J.J. Hickson remembers the old days. The ones that came ages and ages -- at least eight games -- ago. The ones where the Cavaliers forward was a starter and the future of the franchise.

The new J.J. was fond of those old days. And he wants them back.

"Right now, I have to get back to the 'Old J.J.,' so to speak," Hickson said Tuesday. "Just getting tip-ins, offensive rebounds and hustle points."

And most of all, his spot in the starting lineup. Eight games ago, coach Byron Scott elevated Antawn Jamison and Daniel Gibson to starting roles, while Hickson and Joey Graham began to come off the bench.

Hickson was clear about his displeasure with the move, and Scott was clear about what he wanted to see more of from Hickson: Energy, defense and rebounding.

"I still think he has a lot of potential," Scott said. "It's just a matter of him understanding that every night, you've got to bring that energy and that effort. Every single night. That's all I ask."