Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season
By Ryan Piers
4. The development of Cedi Osman
In the first minute of Turkey’s overtime loss to the United States in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Cedi Osman sprang off a pick on the right wing. Open from deep, he splashed in a 3-pointer to give his team a late, surprising lead.
This sort of play should delight Cavs fans. Osman took a second-season leap last year, quadrupling his scoring output and assist totals with extended minutes.
Yet, there was one number concerning from his impressive 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game stat line.
Osman shot 42.7 percent from the field last season, a significant drop off from his rookie year. Naturally, with more attention from defenders, shots become tightly contested. But Cavs fans hope for more from an outside gunner.
If his 50.0 field goal percentage in five games at the FIBA World Cup reflects improvement, Cleveland fans should feel optimism. If he continues progressing, Osman is a solid third option.
He’s the kind of player championship rosters feature — a late draft pick who morphs into valuable starter. Draymond Green was that kind of guy for Golden State. Manu Ginobili played a similar role for San Antonio.
If Cleveland is to contend in a season or two, Osman must be a key cog. We’ll learn this year what he’s made of.