Operation shakedown began yesterday for the Cavaliers as they went through their first drills at Stalag B-W more commonly known as Baldwin-Wallace College.

Coach Bill Fitch's reputation as a tough taskmaster was proved valid at the club's rookie camp in June. And the former Minnesota mentor sees no reason to let up as he prepares his troops for the grueling 82-game National Basketball Association schedule.

Cleveland's first year NBA club will have 20 practice sessions at its pre-season camp before the first exhibition game Sept. 19 against the Buffalo Braves.

FITCH CLOSED the doors to the B-W gym for yesterday afternoon's workout and he'll do it again at today's session.

"Phil Jackson of the Knicks told me what his practices are like," winked John Warren, drafted from New York's NBA champions.

"Coach Fitch has em' running over mountains in college, according to Phil. But you have to be in shape for this league."

Jackson played for Fitch at North Dakota University.

"We'll check out the oil this week," said coach yesterday when the club was introduced to the news media.

"WE WANT TO find out what kind of shape they're in, both mentally and physically.

"The first two days are for conditioning and evaluating the talent," continued the coach.

Fitch relates basketball to baseball in checking out personnel.

"You don't have to play a game to find out if a guy can play shortstop. You'll know just by hitting him grounders," he explained.

"The same goes for basketball. We can evaluate what people can do in drills. Then when we install a defense we'll find out if they can think.

"I'd like to find out right away who can play.

"I WOULD LIKE to cut the squad as soon as possible and then refine what we keep."

Of the 22 players invited to camp only two failed to show at yesterday morning's opening session, Johnny Egan and rookie Glenn Vidnovic. Egan had a commitment last night and is expected to arrive at B-W today. Vidnovic, fourth round draft choice from Iowa, had National Guard duties to attend to, but he's also expected today.

McCoy McLemore wasn't at B-W for Monday's physical examinations. However, he showed up yesterday morning. He is a six-year NBA veteran picked up from Detroit in the expansion.

This article first appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer September 9, 1970.