Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day
2. New additions and bench must come through
The Cavaliers will have a new look to them within some areas of the team.
Most fans have decided it will be business as usual for the Cavaliers, and that there won’t be any growing pains among the team. That isn’t true.
Thomas isn’t expected to play until January, but Rose, Wade, Crowder, Calderon, Jeff Green and possibly Ante Zizic will all see action this season. They’re all coming from different offenses and might not adapt to the change as quickly as people think.
The Boston crew is coming from Brad Stevens’ system. But Lue’s system is more of a scoring first, bend-but-don’t-break type of defensive strategy.
It will work long-term because the Cavs need players with a defensive mindset after ranking 22nd last season in team defense, but will they be able to make the adjustments to be consistent on the offensive side of the ball? It will remain to be seen.
In Boston, Thomas was the guy, but it was based on team scoring and contributions. With Rose and the New York Knicks, Kristaps Porzingis was the man, but he is still developing. Rose wasn’t being looked upon as having to score all of the points. Green and Calderon were on different teams throughout the year, but weren’t in offenses like the Cavs will be.
During his Media Day press conference with Cavs.com, Lue mentioned how the offense won’t change with the new acquisitions, and that his biggest issue will be what players jell well with each other.
He also likes the versatility each player brings to the team, which will be needed in the scheme.
It will also help out the bench, which has been an issue for the team the last few years. The Cavs had one of the worst benches in the NBA last season, scoring 29.1 points per game, which ranked 28th in the league. That’s atrocious.
It should be improved significantly…on paper. They will have more shooting with Smith coming off the bench with the addition of Wade. Rose will back up Thomas once he returns from injury. Green and Calderon will bring a new dynamic, and Thompson will bring energy and rebounding, which is something they have lacked for years.
Each new player has a chip on their shoulder, and they”re looking to prove the critics wrong. If the bench doesn’t improve with the versatility and additions, it never will.