Positives and negatives from Cleveland Cavaliers first half of season
By Tony Pesta
Positive – Kevin Porter Jr.
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a feeling they may have struck gold when Kevin Porter Jr. fell into their lap late in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. Halfway through his rookie season, Porter is proving to be a diamond in the rough.
Porter displayed a raw skill set in college. A crafty shot creator with a tight handle and massive bounce, Porter made his way into multiple highlight reels as a young star. The only question was, could he polish his game and make the jump to the NBA level?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes.
Head coach John Beilein has done a phenomenal job easing Porter into the lineup, setting him up for success in every way. For much of the first half of the season, KPJ played in limited spurts but managed to be highly effective.
The Cavaliers found success with Porter on the floor, as he is already shaping up to be their most versatile asset. He has great potential as a perimeter defender and is a skilled enough ball-handler to create plays for himself and others.
Before his injury, Porter was beginning to play significant minutes. Porter was averaging 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the five games prior to his knee injury. The Cavs are patiently waiting for Porter to be reevaluated before making his official return to the court in a few weeks.