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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener

By Gavriel Wilkins

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shake hands after a Cavaliers 102-99 victory at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shake hands after a Cavaliers 102-99 victory at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Derrick Rose looks comfortable in The Land

Despite managing to shoot just 5-for-14 from the field, Derrick Rose put together an impressive performance in his Cavaliers debut, scoring 14 points and showcasing a jaw-dropping array of quickness and agility that once helped him become the youngest MVP in league history.

The 29-year-old point guard sought to take Kyrie Irving off the dribble almost every time he had the ball on the perimeter against him, and managed to have success more often than not, driving to the rim on several occasions en route to two points.

In addition, Rose hit a big-time 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap off the third quarter. As the player who impressed people the most during the team’s preseason slate, Rose appears to be motivated to prove that he is still one of the game’s best.

"“With me pushing the ball, it gets guys to run with me,” Rose told Ashish Mathur of AmicoHoops.net. “It gets me in the flow of facilitating a little bit more.” “We’re a really good team.”"

While Irving has never been known for being a lockdown perimeter defender throughout his time in the league, getting a chance to witness Rose display his athletic ability and make plays has to be an encouraging signs for Cavaliers fans.

It shows just how valuable he can be to his team when he is healthy, and with Isaiah Thomas being out until December, Cleveland will need Rose to build off of his up-and-down season opener as they get ready to take on another stiff opponent in Milwaukee this Friday.

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