Anderson Varejao now hates the Cleveland Cavaliers?

I know you've noticed by now, Anderson Varejao ain't playing for the Cavs anymore.

Yep, while the Cleveland Cavaliers try to go for a second consecutive trip to the NBA finals this 2007-08 NBA basketball season, the young 6'10'' forward, Anderson Varejao, is nowhere to be seen on any of the NBA games we've been watching these days.

So where the heck is Anderson Varejao? He's somewhere in Brazil, shooting hoops, working on his jump hook and, more importantly, staying in shape while he waits for that call that just might get his ass back playing in the NBA again.

What happened with the Cleveland Cavaliers you ask? Apparently, Varejao started to ask the Cavaliers management to pay him more money. Unfortunately for him, Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry refuses to pay him shit.

''I just want to be treated fairly and I don't think Danny's done that,'' Anderson Varejao said.

''I wanted to come back. I love the fans and I really love my teammates. But there are others there that have made it very difficult. It's gotten to the point that I don't want to play there anymore. I'm just hoping for a sign-and-trade at this point.''

Anderson Varejao was a vital factor in his team's run to the NBA Finals last season. (Yes, even though they got their asses swept by the San Antonio Spurs...) His 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game last year were really not that impressive but it's the intangibles that he does that makes him a very reliable teammate.

Anderson Varejao led the league in drawing charges, making his defense invaluable to the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

The Cavs' popular forward wants considerably more than the team is offering. He turned down the Cavs' one-year, $1.2 million tender offer. (To retain a restricted free agent, a team must make a tender offer.)

He also refused Cleveland's opening offer of five years, $20 million, and then its latest offer of five years, $32 million, with a starting salary slightly below the midlevel exception.

Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.

San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350

Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300

Boston Celtics EVEN +450

Detroit Pistons +1,000

Want more odds? Visit OddsHQ for more basketball betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Anderson Varejao Cleveland Cavaliers