Just when it looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers might have started to turn it around, they take a few steps back. Case in point, Timofey Mozgov will miss up to two weeks with a right shoulder strain — a big loss for a team that is currently ranked 10th in the NBA in total defense. Mozgov has had a slow start to the season, only averaging 7.9 points per game after averaging 10.6 in 45 games last year.
He is also averaging 3.2 fewer rebounds than last season (7.8 to 4.6). He is likely still recovering from the right knee surgery he underwent in the offseason.
With Mozgov out for this extended period of time, who will get the start at center?
For whatever reason, David Blatt has hardly played Anderson Varejao. Some could possibly say that Tristan Thompson is the obvious replacement to start, but his energy off the bench is invaluable to the team even through his early struggles.
ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: NBA Finals History: Ranking The Last 50 Champions
This season, Varejao is only averaging 7.9 minutes per game. That has to be difficult for a player that has averaged 25.5 per game throughout his career. He isn’t suffering from any injuries (knocks on wood) and had a season high nine points in Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- Latest intel calls Donovan Mitchell’s future with the Cavs into question
- 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing the Max Strus acquisition
- Ranking the 5 best available shooting guards in 2023 NBA free agency
- NBA Rumors: Cavs have secret weapon to lure LeBron back to Cleveland
Experience should be the only deciding factor with Blatt. For years, Varejao has proven that he and LeBron James have great chemistry together. He is a defensive pest to opposing players and he has worked on his offensive game. During his early years, he only seemed able to score from putback shots, but as his game advanced, he developed a midrange shot, and so far this season he has gone 4-for-5 from that area of the floor.
There can only be two reasons why Blatt wouldn’t start him. One of them could be because of Varejao’s unfortunate injury history and his current recovery from Achilles surgery last season. The other would be because he doesn’t believe he fits into his system.
Either way, he deserves to be the starter on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. One person that could potentially get more playing time is Sasha Kaun. He has only played in two games this season, but would be an extra center within the rotation to give Varejao and/or Thompson a break.
Blatt must learn to go deep into the bench on a consistent basis and see what he has. It shouldn’t have to take an injury or setback for him to consider it. His decision will ultimately decide which way the Cavaliers will go within the next eight games and how they will either improve or regress defensively.