Cleveland Cavaliers: What each new player adds to the team

Rodney Hood

This is the piece with the most potential. Hood has the build of a big-time baller, lengthy and 6’8”. Gifted with supreme athleticism, Hood’s development was stifled by the emergence of rookie Donovan Mitchell

The wing is in the middle of the best year of his career, averaging 16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. But he’s only started 12 contests for the muddling Jazz, playing a paltry 27.8 minutes per contest.

Let’s imagine what Hood could be with starter minutes through comparison. One of the below per 36 minutes stat lines belongs to Hood; the other an NBA All-Star.

• Player A:  21.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists
• Player B:  21.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists

Care to guess which one is Hood and which one is the mystery player? Player A is four-time All-Star and Golden State Warrior gunner Klay Thompson. Player B is Rodney Hood.

Yes, Hood’s numbers are a touch worse. But the two have comparable efficient field goal percentages, as well as defensive rankings. Hood is also a couple years younger.

The bottom line is, with more opportunities Hood has potential to be an elite shooting guard. According to this Hoops Hype piece, other players in the NBA know it too.