Cleveland Cavaliers: Jordan McRae Shines In First Preseason Win
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 117-102 in their first preseason game.
Cleveland Cavaliers basketball is finally back!
Well not fully, but fans are satisfied with the preseason until October 25th. The Cavs played the Orlando Magic in their first game. Everybody played except Kyrie Irving, who was resting due to playing in the Olympics over the Summer.
The Cavaliers came out and continued where they left off on June 20th. LeBron James was already in midseason form–as was everybody else.
Chris Andersen made the start for Tristan Thompson, and gave a preview of what he’ll bring to the team defensively, He had back-to-back blocks on Bismack Biyombo, and ran back down on the offensive end. At the age of 38, I was surprised he could still run the floor like that.
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The Cavaliers also showed how they’ll use Mike Dunleavy. With the Chicago Bulls, He would take tough shots. Unless there was fluid ball movement, he wouldn’t see it. On this team where opposing defenses will be worried about Irving, James and Kevin Love, he will have many wide-open looks.
Just like last season, teams will be so worried about The Big Three, and come at them with double-teams, it’s always going to leave somebody open.
It’s one of the biggest reasons that J.R. Smith has been a key piece and helped benefit the team.
The veterans looked great, and didn’t have anything to prove. However, fans had a chance to see the young talent on the Cavs. Kay Felder played liked a lottery pick instead of a late second-rounder.
His speed, athleticism and passing ability was on display, and he didn’t disappoint. He used all of his 44-inch vertical on a putback that only a 6-foot-9 player would be able to get to. Felder also had two steals, which showed his active hands, and ability to look up the floor afterward for the closest player.
He finished with 14 points and even had four rebounds. Canton Charge forward Jonathan Holmes had a great showing as well. He went 2-for-6 from three-point range, and shot 5-for-10 from the field.
But the biggest standout was my favorite young player, Jordan McRae. He continues to get better with each opportunity he gets on the court. In the second quarter, he stretched out in mid-air and dunked on Biyombo. It wasn’t 2000 0lympics Vince Carter/Frederic Weis-esque, but it was close to it.
Jordan McRae with the dunk on Biyombo. https://t.co/BSev5hzxfK
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 6, 2016
McRae already had confidence within his game, and it showed on Wednesday. He scored effortlessly against the Magic’s defense scoring 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. He also went 2-of-3 from three-point range, and added seven rebounds.
The sky is the limit for McRae if he gets significant playing time this season.
I hate to say it because Smith is needed on the team, but if McRae keeps up this level of play during the preseason, and Smith refuses to re-sign with the team, it makes him expendable.
They have a young, long, player that can play three positions, and he’s a natural scorer. And most of all, they have him for a bargain.
Newly acquired point guard Toney Douglas saw action towards the end of the game. He scored only two points on 1-of-4 shooting. He’s currently battling Felder to be the back-up guard for Irving. So far, Felder has the advantage.
Coach Tyronn Lue will finally have everybody, besides Smith, to implement his system. He obviously didn’t show a lot in the first game, but I noticed the Cavs getting into a half-court offense up the court.
It might have been Lue just testing it out, but hopefully he stays with the uptempo offense that got the Cavs to where they’re at.
I also noticed Felder and DeAndre Liggins bringing the ball up instead of James, etc. Lue could want the guards to take more control of the offense while everybody else plays off the ball. It will be interesting to see as the season begins.