Byron Scott and JJ Hickson have sit-down due to deteriorating relationship

At some point during the last week, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and J.J. Hickson had a chat. It was brief, stern and one-sided, but perhaps long overdue.

The two had been sniping at each other at various times since the preseason. Scott had been critical of Hickson's effort and rebounding, and Hickson had seemed to grow tired of the criticisms from his coach.

''We had a conversation the other day,'' Scott said. ''We'll just leave it at that.''

Scott called for more production out of the bench after a road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 12, the team's eighth consecutive loss, Hickson said ''Oh so he's blaming it on the bench? . . . That's his opinion.''

''It's no secret our relationship hasn't been the best,'' Hickson said. ''But as a young player, it's up to me to be humbled by the whole situation and listen to him. He played in the league for a long time. Who am I to question his actions?''