INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cavaliers laughed at Rodney Hood when he apologized to them Thursday for causing a distraction by not going into the game when called late in a blowout against Toronto.

Distraction? Please, this team has been through far worse.

"They was like, 'Hood, that's not really a distraction' because of everything that they've been through this year, so they all took light of it," Hood said. "They understand, so it wasn't anything really."

The Cavs gathered for their first practice in the run up to the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics, and for the first time since Hood declined when told to play in the fourth quarter of a 128-93 trouncing of the Raptors in Game 4.

Hood told reporters Thursday that he saw Jose Calderon was warming up at the time, and when coach Tyronn Lue called Hood's name he said "just let Jose play."

The Athletic reported after Game 4 that not only did Hood refuse to enter the game, but he upset several teammates and could be facing a fine or suspension. Hood was neither fined nor suspended.

Just laughed at.

"I should have known ... because I didn't play throughout the duration of the game that it was gonna look bad, but it wasn't (as bad) as people was trying to make it," Hood said. "Next time I'm definitely going to go in. I apologized to T-Lue for any confusion and stuff like that but that's all it was."

In no particular order, the Cavs this season have:

Endured a team meeting in January in which everyone attacked Kevin Love, who in turn revealed he was dealing with panic attacks. The meeting essentially tore up the team and the wound didn't heal until massive trades were made.

"I was that guy before," Love said, referring to Hood explaining himself to teammates.

The Cavs, in fact, traded half the active roster on Feb. 8, including Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, the two players who started the attacks on Love. Hood was among the players acquired in those trades.

Derrick Rose left the team and considered retirement. He returned with no punishment, though, in fairness, Rose was injured and not playing at the time he left.

Coach Tyronn Lue left the team for two weeks to get his personal health in order.

"Things like that happen in the course of a season," Love said. "I mean, I've only known Rodney for a short period of time, but I know he's a great guy. I know he's here to win. Was that a great decision? Maybe not. But he came in today, said he's all in and we believe him.

"That's why we were able to laugh it off."

Lue added: "I've been a part of so much stuff, that wasn't nothing, really. He apologized. It's over. Now our focus is on the Celtics."

Amen.

Here's the thing for Hood -- who knows if he'll even get a chance against Boston, given how poorly he played in the run up to the Game 4 incident.

Hood averaged 0.7 points (not far off from Blutarksy's 0.0 grade-point average in "Animal House") against the Raptors, shoot 11 percent from the field. He's averaging 4.6 points for the playoffs and shooting about 13 percent from 3-point range.

Lue replaced Hood in the rotation for Game 4 against the Raptors with Cedi Osman. Lue wouldn't say if Osman or Hood would be out there for Game 1 Sunday against the Celtics.

One of Hood's best games as a Cav was on Feb. 11 in Boston, just his second game with the team, when he scored 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in a 121-99 Cavs rout.

"Even though this (the Game 4 incident) don't look well, I'm a selfless guy and regardless of how many minutes I play, starting, coming off the bench or not playing or whatever, I'm trying to win," Hood said. "I'm trying to win a ring and that's what it's about. Like I said, I gotta make a positive impact when I'm out there and that's the only thing I'm really worried about."