The Legend of Uncle Drew : 2013-2014 Cleveland Cavaliers Season Thread
- Thread starter jaguar paw
- Start date
Leonard Washington
Superstar
I actually think we are gonna be good this season if we can stay healthy of course brehs
2013 Cavaliers training camp: Sergey Karasev easing into transition to NBA
By Jason Lloyd
Beacon Journal sports writer
INDEPENDENCE: Shortly after finishing the formal portion of media day on Monday, Sergey Karasev found a basketball and began shooting around at Cleveland Clinic Courts. General Manager Chris Grant spotted him and walked over to shake hands.
Due to Karasev’s whirlwind summer, it was the first time he and Grant spoke face-to-face since the Cavs drafted him 19th overall in June.
Karasev (pronounced Ku-RAH-sev) spent the summer playing in Russia’s top professional league, but left the team just long enough in June to fly to New York for the NBA Draft. Grant, however, spent draft night in Cleveland.
Karasev flew back to Russia immediately after the Cavs selected him — he didn’t even have time for a conference call with the Cleveland media. When he returned briefly to Cleveland for a press conference in July, Grant was in Las Vegas for summer league.
Karasev’s basketball commitments just recently concluded and he landed in Cleveland late Sunday night for the start of training camp, leaving this week as the first opportunity for the Cavs’ organization to really get to know him.
There is plenty to learn about the intriguing Russian, who is only 19 but speaks fluent English. His father, Vasily, is a current coach in Russia and former international player. He taught his son at an early age if he ever wanted to play professionally in Europe or America, he was going to have to learn the language. So Sergey began traveling the world with his father when he was just a boy. Now he understands English well and has no need for Vitaly Potapenko, on staff as a player development coach, to translate for him.
“I understand everything,” Karasev said. “Vitaly has just helped me to speak some Russian so I don’t forget it.”
Teams say every year they are surprised players fell to them at certain points in the draft, but in this case, it appears sincere. Prior to the draft, members of the Cavs front office privately spoke glowingly of Karasev, but didn’t think there was any chance he’d still be available in a weakened draft when they selected at No. 19.
They spent much of the days leading up to the draft and draft night unsuccessfully trying to move up, then stood by and watched as he tumbled to them anyway.
The Cavs love his ability to play with either hand. One team official said he hadn’t seen skills like Karasev flashed at a pre-draft workout since the Cavs had Klay Thompson in for a workout prior to the 2011 draft.
But he doesn’t turn 20 until the end of this month and the Cavs aren’t going to rush him. One Cavs official said over the summer that Karasev will likely arrive for training camp exhausted after playing all summer in Russia, and that he might struggle initially before figuring things out.
Coach Mike Brown seemed to echo that this week, but thought it was due more to the time change than fatigue from playing all summer.
“His body clock is a little off. He’s a teenager, so all this is new to him,” said Brown, who joked he has two teenagers at home and one at work — and he doesn’t really trust teenagers very often. “He’s finding his way, kind of like Anthony Bennett is.”
Karasev’s biggest adjustment on the court will be defensively. He has played primarily a zone, something Brown dislikes. Plus the court he typically plays on is smaller and the overseas game is much more team-oriented. Karasev said all the isolation plays, all the pick-and-roll and two-man games are much different than what he typically plays.
Dion Waiters struggled at times as a rookie adjusting from the zone he played in college to the NBA’s man-to-man defense and Karasev will probably experience similar struggles.
“You have to remember A.B. [Anthony Bennett] was here for the whole summer,” Brown said. “He knows all the coaches, he knows all the strength and conditioning guys. All this is new to Sergey. He’s still really feeling his way through not only on the practice floor, but also trying to get to know people, get to know his way around the building and town. He’s doing good, but it’s new for him.”
Wine & Gold scrimmage
Brown has one goal for Saturday’s Wine & Gold scrimmage — survive.
“Stay healthy, that’s it,” he said. “It’s another practice for us and you hope nobody gets hurt. Obviously you want everybody to have a good time. A lot of military families are coming, so you want to show your appreciation for what they do for us on a daily basis. That type of stuff is the norm, but for us, let’s get through this healthy and then get something out of it.”
Brown hasn’t decided yet how he’s going to divide the rosters for the scrimmage, which is closed to the public. Only military members and their families will have tickets, but the game will be streamed live on Cavs.com.
Brown’s father retired from the Air Force after 20-plus years and lived in Germany as a child, so the idea of opening the scrimmage only to military families hits close to him.
“With what’s going on in the world today and what the families have to go through, if you can show them your appreciation in any way, shape or form you’d love to do it,” he said. “Hopefully they enjoy it tomorrow.”
The game will consist of two 20-minute halves and it’s Brown’s discretion if he wants to add more time. But given his stated goal of just getting out healthy, that seems unlikely.
ESPN Insider Profiles 2013-2014 Pt. 1
JARRETT JACK, PG
Scouting report
+ Strong, versatile guard with plus size at the point and strength to defend shooting guards.
+ Creates for himself as well as others as instant offense threat off the bench.
+ Quick with the ball in his hands, has evolved into reliable spot-up shooter.
Analysis
Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant loves combo guards. With Irving and Waiters already in hand, Grant signed Jack to a four-year, $25.2 million deal early in free agency, with the last year being a team option. Jack enjoyed a solid season during his one year in Golden State as the third guard behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but was renounced during free agency so the Warriors could clear the cap space they needed to sign Andre Iguodala. Jack drew plenty of interest on the market after that, and ended up in Cleveland on what may have been a slight overpay.
Jack doesn't create the volume of offense, possess the efficiency, or defend well enough to be a cornerstone player, which is why he has bounced around during his eight years in the NBA. He works on defense, but has below-average marks on steals, blocks and defensive boards. Jack's on-ball metrics are serviceable, but because he lacks the size of a 2 and plays there so much, he struggles to contest shots against top shooters.
Jack is as versatile as they get. He plays both guard positions and doesn't embarrass himself defensively at either spot. He can play with the ball in his hands, finish in the lane and create for his teammates. He can shoot off the dribble, but is also a deadly catch-and-shoot threat if he's left alone. He can start or come off the bench, and finished third the sixth man of the year voting. He'll make another run at the award this season as the primary backup to both Irving and Waiters. Jack will no doubt play some in three-guard lineups alongside that pair as well. He'll be a key locker room presence on a young roster, and earned instant respect after signing with the Cavs by heading to Las Vegas to work out with his new teammates.
C.J. MILES, SF
Scouting report
+ Athletic, high-volume lefty gunner with 3-point range.
+ Improved shot selection and accuracy last season.
+ Average indicators on defense, both on the ball and in help situations; can guard either wing.
Analysis
Miles signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cavs last year, but with the second season being unguaranteed, it was a make-or-break campaign for Miles. He responded with his best NBA season to date, with his first above-.500 winning percentage (.519) and a career-high 3.0 WARP. That earned Miles a second season in Cleveland, but he'll have keep improving in order to stick on an increasingly deep and talented Cavaliers roster.
Miles finally seemed to understand that he is not an All-Star offensive player, and his shot selection improved markedly. His usage rate was actually his second-highest yet, but it's the way those possessions terminated that got better. Miles sliced his rate of 2-point attempts from 55 to 39 percent, and the reduction of work inside the arc led to a 4 percent drop in foul-drawing. Those possessions were all redistributed behind the arc, where he hit 38.4 percent. The result was a true shooting percentage above league average, no small feat when you're talking about a 24 percent usage rate.
Unfortunately, 3-point percentage is volatile and Miles' value in now almost entirely tied to his ability to replicate last season's long-range accuracy. He's still inefficient inside the arc, and isn't a good playmaker for a wing. On defense, Miles' athleticism has translated to an average set of metrics, though last season he was really good on the defensive glass. His teams have generally been better on defense with Miles on the floor. In fact, Cleveland was better on both ends with Miles on the court in 2012-13. Going forward, he'll have to maintain that positive effect to stand out in a crowded wing rotation that includes Waiters, Jack, Gee, Bennett, Earl Clark and Sergey Karasev.
EARL CLARK, F
Scouting report
+ Long, lean combo forward with developing face-up skills.
+ Plus help defender with good defensive rebound and shot-block rates.
+ Had no face-up game prior to 2012-13, and needs to consolidate development in that area.
Analysis
Clark made himself some money after showing glimpses of becoming a 3-and-D pro player during the Lakers' second-half surge last season. After he barely saw the court under Mike Brown, Mike D'Antoni began playing Clark big minutes in a desperate attempt to find a high-efficiency floor spacer to team with the Lakers' collection of ill-fitting Hall of Famers. Clark made 2 of 12 from 3-point land during his first three NBA seasons, but launched 101 treys in 2012-13. His 33.7 percent success rate was under league average, but he hit over 38 percent from the corners and rated in the 64th percentile in unguarded catch-and-shoot situations, according to Synergy Sports Technologies. In addition, Clark hit better than the league average on long 2s, hinting that the face-up development is the real deal. Clark has always been a high-percentage finisher at the rim, so if he can continue to hone his jump shot and take better care of the ball, he'll have all the traits you want in a complementary offensive player.
After signing with Cleveland for two years and $9 million, Clark finds himself reunited with Brown. His new and former coach says Clark will be tried as a full-time 3, a position he has played about a third of the time over the past couple of seasons. Brown told reporters that on video, Clark has shown the ability to guard four positions - everything except the point. Given the Cavaliers' poor defensive backcourt, Brown can't afford to have a defensive liability at small forward, and Clark's performance on that end will determine if he starts and how long he plays. His on-ball Synergy metrics aren't encouraging -- he's given up 66 points above average over the past two years, and he rated in just the 24th percentile against isolations. At 6-foot-10, the athletic Clark could be a nightmare for opposing wings, and we'll see if the potential Brown sees translates into production.
TYLER ZELLER, PF
Scouting report
+ Face-up big who struggled with shooting touch as a rookie.
+ Range extends to midrange only, and needs to be extended to improve efficiency.
+ Willing help defender, needs to improve on the defensive glass.
Analysis
It seems inevitable that Tyler will be the second-best Zeller brother in the league this season, but of more immediate concern is that on a depth chart of completely healthy Cavaliers, he may be just the fifth-best big man. That roster won't exist initially with Andrew Bynum still rounding into form, so it will be incumbent on Zeller to show more than he did as a rookie. Forced into 55 starts because of Anderson Varejao's ongoing physical woes, Zeller's minus-2.4 WARP was one of the worst totals in the league, and his .358 winning percentage was markedly worse than his rookie-season SCHOENE projection for replacement-level production.
Zeller's outside shooting touch is supposed to be a strong point, and should offer a nice complement to the skill sets of Bynum, Varejao and Thompson. However, he actually has to make shots. According to HoopData.com, Zeller hit 35.7 percent on 207 long 2-pointers as a rookie, and was also below average in the zones closer to the basket. Zeller doesn't have 3-point range -- yet -- so most of his value is tied to midrange shooting. While he chipped in as a shot-blocker and on the offensive glass, Zeller's defensive rebounding wasn't great for his position. He was brutalized in the post, and wasn't any better out on the floor.
The upside is that while Zeller struggled, he still got more than 2,000 NBA minutes of development. He reportedly added some much-needed weight over the summer, and with Varejao back, Zeller shouldn't have to face as many starting pivots. However, Zeller needs to make a second-year leap to keep from disappearing from Brown's rotation altogether by the time Bynum returns.
SERGEY KARASEV,SF
Scouting report
+ Sharpshooting swing man with potential as a top floor spacer.
+ More skilled than athletic, can put the ball on the floor and is a good passer.
+ Needs to add strength to hold up defensively.
Analysis
Every June, there are a handful of players who are tabbed with the "best pure shooter in the draft" label, and the Cavaliers hope that Karasev lives up to the billing. Karasev turns 20 just before the start of the season, but has the polished skill set of an older player. SCHOENE sees him hitting 38 percent from deep as a rookie and if Karasev can do that, it's a great starting point. Karasev is a good passer who can also put the ball on the floor against closeouts. Eventually, he could be a dangerous player to plant in the corners.
Karasev can swing to either wing position, but he's a slender 6-foot-7 by NBA standards, and admitted to reporters over the summer that he's going to have to add strength. Because of that -- and because Cleveland has a deep roster -- Karasev may not see a lot of court time as a rookie. Still, ESPN's Chad Ford had Karasev rated as a lottery-caliber talent, and Cleveland is thrilled that he slipped to No. 19 in June.
Scouting report
+ Strong, versatile guard with plus size at the point and strength to defend shooting guards.
+ Creates for himself as well as others as instant offense threat off the bench.
+ Quick with the ball in his hands, has evolved into reliable spot-up shooter.
Analysis
Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant loves combo guards. With Irving and Waiters already in hand, Grant signed Jack to a four-year, $25.2 million deal early in free agency, with the last year being a team option. Jack enjoyed a solid season during his one year in Golden State as the third guard behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but was renounced during free agency so the Warriors could clear the cap space they needed to sign Andre Iguodala. Jack drew plenty of interest on the market after that, and ended up in Cleveland on what may have been a slight overpay.
Jack doesn't create the volume of offense, possess the efficiency, or defend well enough to be a cornerstone player, which is why he has bounced around during his eight years in the NBA. He works on defense, but has below-average marks on steals, blocks and defensive boards. Jack's on-ball metrics are serviceable, but because he lacks the size of a 2 and plays there so much, he struggles to contest shots against top shooters.
Jack is as versatile as they get. He plays both guard positions and doesn't embarrass himself defensively at either spot. He can play with the ball in his hands, finish in the lane and create for his teammates. He can shoot off the dribble, but is also a deadly catch-and-shoot threat if he's left alone. He can start or come off the bench, and finished third the sixth man of the year voting. He'll make another run at the award this season as the primary backup to both Irving and Waiters. Jack will no doubt play some in three-guard lineups alongside that pair as well. He'll be a key locker room presence on a young roster, and earned instant respect after signing with the Cavs by heading to Las Vegas to work out with his new teammates.
C.J. MILES, SF
Scouting report
+ Athletic, high-volume lefty gunner with 3-point range.
+ Improved shot selection and accuracy last season.
+ Average indicators on defense, both on the ball and in help situations; can guard either wing.
Analysis
Miles signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cavs last year, but with the second season being unguaranteed, it was a make-or-break campaign for Miles. He responded with his best NBA season to date, with his first above-.500 winning percentage (.519) and a career-high 3.0 WARP. That earned Miles a second season in Cleveland, but he'll have keep improving in order to stick on an increasingly deep and talented Cavaliers roster.
Miles finally seemed to understand that he is not an All-Star offensive player, and his shot selection improved markedly. His usage rate was actually his second-highest yet, but it's the way those possessions terminated that got better. Miles sliced his rate of 2-point attempts from 55 to 39 percent, and the reduction of work inside the arc led to a 4 percent drop in foul-drawing. Those possessions were all redistributed behind the arc, where he hit 38.4 percent. The result was a true shooting percentage above league average, no small feat when you're talking about a 24 percent usage rate.
Unfortunately, 3-point percentage is volatile and Miles' value in now almost entirely tied to his ability to replicate last season's long-range accuracy. He's still inefficient inside the arc, and isn't a good playmaker for a wing. On defense, Miles' athleticism has translated to an average set of metrics, though last season he was really good on the defensive glass. His teams have generally been better on defense with Miles on the floor. In fact, Cleveland was better on both ends with Miles on the court in 2012-13. Going forward, he'll have to maintain that positive effect to stand out in a crowded wing rotation that includes Waiters, Jack, Gee, Bennett, Earl Clark and Sergey Karasev.
EARL CLARK, F
Scouting report
+ Long, lean combo forward with developing face-up skills.
+ Plus help defender with good defensive rebound and shot-block rates.
+ Had no face-up game prior to 2012-13, and needs to consolidate development in that area.
Analysis
Clark made himself some money after showing glimpses of becoming a 3-and-D pro player during the Lakers' second-half surge last season. After he barely saw the court under Mike Brown, Mike D'Antoni began playing Clark big minutes in a desperate attempt to find a high-efficiency floor spacer to team with the Lakers' collection of ill-fitting Hall of Famers. Clark made 2 of 12 from 3-point land during his first three NBA seasons, but launched 101 treys in 2012-13. His 33.7 percent success rate was under league average, but he hit over 38 percent from the corners and rated in the 64th percentile in unguarded catch-and-shoot situations, according to Synergy Sports Technologies. In addition, Clark hit better than the league average on long 2s, hinting that the face-up development is the real deal. Clark has always been a high-percentage finisher at the rim, so if he can continue to hone his jump shot and take better care of the ball, he'll have all the traits you want in a complementary offensive player.
After signing with Cleveland for two years and $9 million, Clark finds himself reunited with Brown. His new and former coach says Clark will be tried as a full-time 3, a position he has played about a third of the time over the past couple of seasons. Brown told reporters that on video, Clark has shown the ability to guard four positions - everything except the point. Given the Cavaliers' poor defensive backcourt, Brown can't afford to have a defensive liability at small forward, and Clark's performance on that end will determine if he starts and how long he plays. His on-ball Synergy metrics aren't encouraging -- he's given up 66 points above average over the past two years, and he rated in just the 24th percentile against isolations. At 6-foot-10, the athletic Clark could be a nightmare for opposing wings, and we'll see if the potential Brown sees translates into production.
TYLER ZELLER, PF
Scouting report
+ Face-up big who struggled with shooting touch as a rookie.
+ Range extends to midrange only, and needs to be extended to improve efficiency.
+ Willing help defender, needs to improve on the defensive glass.
Analysis
It seems inevitable that Tyler will be the second-best Zeller brother in the league this season, but of more immediate concern is that on a depth chart of completely healthy Cavaliers, he may be just the fifth-best big man. That roster won't exist initially with Andrew Bynum still rounding into form, so it will be incumbent on Zeller to show more than he did as a rookie. Forced into 55 starts because of Anderson Varejao's ongoing physical woes, Zeller's minus-2.4 WARP was one of the worst totals in the league, and his .358 winning percentage was markedly worse than his rookie-season SCHOENE projection for replacement-level production.
Zeller's outside shooting touch is supposed to be a strong point, and should offer a nice complement to the skill sets of Bynum, Varejao and Thompson. However, he actually has to make shots. According to HoopData.com, Zeller hit 35.7 percent on 207 long 2-pointers as a rookie, and was also below average in the zones closer to the basket. Zeller doesn't have 3-point range -- yet -- so most of his value is tied to midrange shooting. While he chipped in as a shot-blocker and on the offensive glass, Zeller's defensive rebounding wasn't great for his position. He was brutalized in the post, and wasn't any better out on the floor.
The upside is that while Zeller struggled, he still got more than 2,000 NBA minutes of development. He reportedly added some much-needed weight over the summer, and with Varejao back, Zeller shouldn't have to face as many starting pivots. However, Zeller needs to make a second-year leap to keep from disappearing from Brown's rotation altogether by the time Bynum returns.
SERGEY KARASEV,SF
Scouting report
+ Sharpshooting swing man with potential as a top floor spacer.
+ More skilled than athletic, can put the ball on the floor and is a good passer.
+ Needs to add strength to hold up defensively.
Analysis
Every June, there are a handful of players who are tabbed with the "best pure shooter in the draft" label, and the Cavaliers hope that Karasev lives up to the billing. Karasev turns 20 just before the start of the season, but has the polished skill set of an older player. SCHOENE sees him hitting 38 percent from deep as a rookie and if Karasev can do that, it's a great starting point. Karasev is a good passer who can also put the ball on the floor against closeouts. Eventually, he could be a dangerous player to plant in the corners.
Karasev can swing to either wing position, but he's a slender 6-foot-7 by NBA standards, and admitted to reporters over the summer that he's going to have to add strength. Because of that -- and because Cleveland has a deep roster -- Karasev may not see a lot of court time as a rookie. Still, ESPN's Chad Ford had Karasev rated as a lottery-caliber talent, and Cleveland is thrilled that he slipped to No. 19 in June.
ESPN Insider Player Profiles 2013-2014 PT 2
Cavs Wine & Gold Scrimmage is today at 1 PM EST....there will be a live stream on www.cavs.com
Cavs Wine & Gold Scrimmage is today at 1 PM EST....there will be a live stream on www.cavs.com
Pt. 3
TRISTAN THOMPSON, PF
Scouting report
+ One of league's top offensive rebounders, and improved on defensive boards.
+ Below-average finisher at hoop, hoping switch in shooting hand will improve face-up game.
+ Solid on-ball and help defender with exciting potential on that end.
Analysis
You can't say Thompson isn't willing to work on his game. After showing excellent strides during his second NBA season, he made the unprecedented decision over the summer to change shooting hands. So when you see the ex-lefty shooting righty free throws, don't adjust your set. Thompson's hope is that after struggling from midrange and the foul line early in his career, the switch will help his face-up game. Thompson isn't hand-dominant in the way most people are -- he does different things with different hands -- so it's an experiment that could pay big dividends.
The irony is that Thompson already seemed to be making a lot of progress. He was abysmal away from the rim as a rookie, but beat the league average from long-2 range in 2012-13, and was right around the standard in the closer-in zones. The exception was his rate at the rim, which was better but still below average. Thompson gets a lot of shots blocked, and because his usage rate is built upon a high frequency of second-chance opportunities, his efficiency is tied to his ability to finish a better percentage at the rim.
As for the midrange game, the desire to improve is admirable, and if Andrew Bynum proves he can play regular minutes, Thompson will need to be able to step away from the lane to space the floor. Thompson gets fouled a lot because of his activity on the glass, so his free throw percentage is important. Playing for Canada in August's FIBA Americas tournament, he shot 79 percent from the line, an encouraging sign.
Thompson has established himself as one of the league's best offensive rebounders, and that area was a staple of the Cleveland offense in 2012-13. After strangely lagging on the defensive glass as rookie, he was good on that end a season ago, and has become a double-double threat on any given night. Thompson's defensive indicators are promising, with plus metrics overall and fine marks against isolations and post-ups. He's an above-average shot-blocker as well.
Because of the bold decision to switch hands, Thompson will be one of the most interesting players to watch this coming season. He's going to be battling to hold his place in a suddenly crowded Cleveland frontcourt, which will become even deeper if Bynum can go. Thompson needs to keep honing his game, and if he does, it'll be tough for Anthony Bennett or Earl Clark to cut significantly into his minutes. We know for sure that Thompson will do whatever it takes to keep getting better.
ANDERSON VAREJAO, C
Scouting report
+ When healthy, is one of the league's best rebounders at both ends of the floor.
+ A skilled operator in the high post, and pesky, consistent defender.
+ Increasingly injury-prone, and has missed significant time in three straight seasons.
Analysis
Varejao was enjoying his best season when he went down with a quad injury that limited him to just 25 games in 2012-13. That makes three straight truncated seasons for the skilled center. At 31, he needs to stay on the floor in 2013-14 to get Cleveland to even consider guaranteeing the remaining year on his contract for 2014-15, which can be bought out for $4 million. Varejao developed a blood clot during his recovery from the surgery to repair his quad, but had been cleared to resume all basketball-related activities by the time training camp opened.
Before he went down, Varejao's rebound percentage had reached Rodman-like levels, and the Cavaliers were running more of their offense through him in the high post. Varejao's assist rate jumped by 1.7 percent and improved for the fifth straight season. His usage rate was also a career best even though he cut his turnover rate by 3.6 percent. He did all this while again anchoring Cleveland on the defensive end.
The midrange game became a surprising addition to Varejao's arsenal, and he shot better than the league rate on long 2s. That was important in helping to open passing lanes against defenders who dared to sag off him. Varejao was as solid as ever on the defensive end, with top-flight metrics in isolation and against face-up shots, though he once again showed vulnerability on the block against good post scorers.
This is an uncertain time in Varejao's career as he enters his 10th season in Cleveland. With Andrew Bynum joining the Cavs, and a young, talented group of big men clogging the roster, even a healthy Varejao may end up as trade bait, and he'd surely snag a nice return on the open market. Bynum isn't likely to be ready at the outset of the season, so Varejao will get ample opportunity to show that his latest bout with misfortune hasn't diminished the All-Star center we saw in 2012-13.
RESERVES
ANDREW BYNUM, C
Scouting report
+ When healthy, is one of the top low-post scorers in the NBA.
+ When healthy, is a dynamic rebounder and defensive anchor.
+ Chronic knee issues cost him all of 2013, and will keep him out at beginning of 2013-14.
Analysis
No player in the NBA has more to prove this season than Bynum, and even though he hadn't been cleared to resume a full workload by the start of training camp, his window to re-prove his meddle is fairly small. Bynum missed the entire 2012-13 season because of chronic knee issues, ultimately pulling the plug near the end of March to undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees. His unavailability was a big factor leading to the franchise reset underway in Philadelphia, and it has cast his future very much in doubt. Bynum is still young and still tall, so he generated a lot of interest in free agency. The Cavs landed him on a two-year, $24.8 million deal, but only $6 million of that is guaranteed. That's all Cleveland will have to pay him if he's waived by Jan. 7.
When we last saw Bynum, he was having his best season and with Dwight Howard hobbled in Orlando, he was perhaps the best center in the league in 2011-12. He put up an eye-popping 12.1 WARP, with a 59.4 true shooting percentage on a 23.9 percent usage rate. Bynum was the league's best low-post scorer, a terrific rebounder on both ends and a weak-side defender who blocked nearly 5 percent of opposing 2-point attempts. Even though he didn't play last season, Bynum's 69 points saved above average rates in the 94th percentile of NBA defenders over the past two years. That's what Bynum was; it's an open question as to what he's going to be. Currently, there is still no timetable for Bynum's return to game action.
ANTHONY BENNETT, PF
Scouting report
+ Strong, explosive scoring combo forward who can score from anywhere on the floor.
+ Undersized for power forward and may have defensive issues wherever he plays.
+ Terrific rebounder who finishes a high percentage of second-chance opportunities.
Analysis
The Cavaliers pulled a fast one on most NBA draftniks by taking Bennett first overall in June. Faced with a draft class that had no clear-cut top player, Cleveland opted to go for fit over bottom-line potential. It's not that Bennett lacks talent. He's strong, fast, skilled and can really get off the floor. However, he's a possible tweener type as a forward, and it might be awhile before Bennett's explosive scoring ability makes up for potential problems on the other end of the floor. Among his top comparables are players who, while valuable, have all had trouble establishing a starting role, largely because of a tweener profile: Brandon Bass, Derrick Williams, Ryan Anderson and Jeff Green.
Mike Brown told reporters over the summer that while Bennett may be able to swap between forward positions in the future, he plans to deploy him exclusively at 4 during his rookie season. Initially, that's probably for the best as Bennett wasn't cleared to resume full basketball activities until the beginning of training camp after a slow recovery from a torn rotator cuff. Bennett reportedly put on some weight during the down time, and while he's getting his legs as an NBA scorer, it's probably best not to burden him with the quickness of pro wings. He'll always be undersized against the majority of NBA power forwards, but so many of them play out on the floor these days, that shortcoming may not be a big deal. Given Bennett's strength and powerful style, he'll at least be able to hold his position against 4s.
Bennett is a dynamic one-on-one player, and Brown may well want to isolate him frequently, especially if he comes off the bench. Bennett is viewed as a potential pick-and-roll partner for Kyrie Irving because of his dual ability to finish explosively above the rim, and also pop out with an excellent jump shot with good range. Bennett's SCHOENE translations suggest he may need an adjustment season to get the pro 3-point distance down, and that'll be a key aspect of his development. SCHOENE also sees Bennett as a plus rebounder right out of the gate.
Scouting report
+ One of league's top offensive rebounders, and improved on defensive boards.
+ Below-average finisher at hoop, hoping switch in shooting hand will improve face-up game.
+ Solid on-ball and help defender with exciting potential on that end.
Analysis
You can't say Thompson isn't willing to work on his game. After showing excellent strides during his second NBA season, he made the unprecedented decision over the summer to change shooting hands. So when you see the ex-lefty shooting righty free throws, don't adjust your set. Thompson's hope is that after struggling from midrange and the foul line early in his career, the switch will help his face-up game. Thompson isn't hand-dominant in the way most people are -- he does different things with different hands -- so it's an experiment that could pay big dividends.
The irony is that Thompson already seemed to be making a lot of progress. He was abysmal away from the rim as a rookie, but beat the league average from long-2 range in 2012-13, and was right around the standard in the closer-in zones. The exception was his rate at the rim, which was better but still below average. Thompson gets a lot of shots blocked, and because his usage rate is built upon a high frequency of second-chance opportunities, his efficiency is tied to his ability to finish a better percentage at the rim.
As for the midrange game, the desire to improve is admirable, and if Andrew Bynum proves he can play regular minutes, Thompson will need to be able to step away from the lane to space the floor. Thompson gets fouled a lot because of his activity on the glass, so his free throw percentage is important. Playing for Canada in August's FIBA Americas tournament, he shot 79 percent from the line, an encouraging sign.
Thompson has established himself as one of the league's best offensive rebounders, and that area was a staple of the Cleveland offense in 2012-13. After strangely lagging on the defensive glass as rookie, he was good on that end a season ago, and has become a double-double threat on any given night. Thompson's defensive indicators are promising, with plus metrics overall and fine marks against isolations and post-ups. He's an above-average shot-blocker as well.
Because of the bold decision to switch hands, Thompson will be one of the most interesting players to watch this coming season. He's going to be battling to hold his place in a suddenly crowded Cleveland frontcourt, which will become even deeper if Bynum can go. Thompson needs to keep honing his game, and if he does, it'll be tough for Anthony Bennett or Earl Clark to cut significantly into his minutes. We know for sure that Thompson will do whatever it takes to keep getting better.
ANDERSON VAREJAO, C
Scouting report
+ When healthy, is one of the league's best rebounders at both ends of the floor.
+ A skilled operator in the high post, and pesky, consistent defender.
+ Increasingly injury-prone, and has missed significant time in three straight seasons.
Analysis
Varejao was enjoying his best season when he went down with a quad injury that limited him to just 25 games in 2012-13. That makes three straight truncated seasons for the skilled center. At 31, he needs to stay on the floor in 2013-14 to get Cleveland to even consider guaranteeing the remaining year on his contract for 2014-15, which can be bought out for $4 million. Varejao developed a blood clot during his recovery from the surgery to repair his quad, but had been cleared to resume all basketball-related activities by the time training camp opened.
Before he went down, Varejao's rebound percentage had reached Rodman-like levels, and the Cavaliers were running more of their offense through him in the high post. Varejao's assist rate jumped by 1.7 percent and improved for the fifth straight season. His usage rate was also a career best even though he cut his turnover rate by 3.6 percent. He did all this while again anchoring Cleveland on the defensive end.
The midrange game became a surprising addition to Varejao's arsenal, and he shot better than the league rate on long 2s. That was important in helping to open passing lanes against defenders who dared to sag off him. Varejao was as solid as ever on the defensive end, with top-flight metrics in isolation and against face-up shots, though he once again showed vulnerability on the block against good post scorers.
This is an uncertain time in Varejao's career as he enters his 10th season in Cleveland. With Andrew Bynum joining the Cavs, and a young, talented group of big men clogging the roster, even a healthy Varejao may end up as trade bait, and he'd surely snag a nice return on the open market. Bynum isn't likely to be ready at the outset of the season, so Varejao will get ample opportunity to show that his latest bout with misfortune hasn't diminished the All-Star center we saw in 2012-13.
RESERVES
ANDREW BYNUM, C
Scouting report
+ When healthy, is one of the top low-post scorers in the NBA.
+ When healthy, is a dynamic rebounder and defensive anchor.
+ Chronic knee issues cost him all of 2013, and will keep him out at beginning of 2013-14.
Analysis
No player in the NBA has more to prove this season than Bynum, and even though he hadn't been cleared to resume a full workload by the start of training camp, his window to re-prove his meddle is fairly small. Bynum missed the entire 2012-13 season because of chronic knee issues, ultimately pulling the plug near the end of March to undergo arthroscopic surgery on both knees. His unavailability was a big factor leading to the franchise reset underway in Philadelphia, and it has cast his future very much in doubt. Bynum is still young and still tall, so he generated a lot of interest in free agency. The Cavs landed him on a two-year, $24.8 million deal, but only $6 million of that is guaranteed. That's all Cleveland will have to pay him if he's waived by Jan. 7.
When we last saw Bynum, he was having his best season and with Dwight Howard hobbled in Orlando, he was perhaps the best center in the league in 2011-12. He put up an eye-popping 12.1 WARP, with a 59.4 true shooting percentage on a 23.9 percent usage rate. Bynum was the league's best low-post scorer, a terrific rebounder on both ends and a weak-side defender who blocked nearly 5 percent of opposing 2-point attempts. Even though he didn't play last season, Bynum's 69 points saved above average rates in the 94th percentile of NBA defenders over the past two years. That's what Bynum was; it's an open question as to what he's going to be. Currently, there is still no timetable for Bynum's return to game action.
ANTHONY BENNETT, PF
Scouting report
+ Strong, explosive scoring combo forward who can score from anywhere on the floor.
+ Undersized for power forward and may have defensive issues wherever he plays.
+ Terrific rebounder who finishes a high percentage of second-chance opportunities.
Analysis
The Cavaliers pulled a fast one on most NBA draftniks by taking Bennett first overall in June. Faced with a draft class that had no clear-cut top player, Cleveland opted to go for fit over bottom-line potential. It's not that Bennett lacks talent. He's strong, fast, skilled and can really get off the floor. However, he's a possible tweener type as a forward, and it might be awhile before Bennett's explosive scoring ability makes up for potential problems on the other end of the floor. Among his top comparables are players who, while valuable, have all had trouble establishing a starting role, largely because of a tweener profile: Brandon Bass, Derrick Williams, Ryan Anderson and Jeff Green.
Mike Brown told reporters over the summer that while Bennett may be able to swap between forward positions in the future, he plans to deploy him exclusively at 4 during his rookie season. Initially, that's probably for the best as Bennett wasn't cleared to resume full basketball activities until the beginning of training camp after a slow recovery from a torn rotator cuff. Bennett reportedly put on some weight during the down time, and while he's getting his legs as an NBA scorer, it's probably best not to burden him with the quickness of pro wings. He'll always be undersized against the majority of NBA power forwards, but so many of them play out on the floor these days, that shortcoming may not be a big deal. Given Bennett's strength and powerful style, he'll at least be able to hold his position against 4s.
Bennett is a dynamic one-on-one player, and Brown may well want to isolate him frequently, especially if he comes off the bench. Bennett is viewed as a potential pick-and-roll partner for Kyrie Irving because of his dual ability to finish explosively above the rim, and also pop out with an excellent jump shot with good range. Bennett's SCHOENE translations suggest he may need an adjustment season to get the pro 3-point distance down, and that'll be a key aspect of his development. SCHOENE also sees Bennett as a plus rebounder right out of the gate.
Pt. 4
I think the Cavs will at least threaten to make the playoffs this season if everyone is healthy and certain breaks fall their way. Still cant believe that Waiters ever thought he would be a primary ballhandler with Kyrie there.
Haven't seen the first preseason game yet but I've heard great things.
Tristan balled out and Kadji impressed.
Sounds like the chemistry within the team is gelling well.
Good signs.
Tristan balled out and Kadji impressed.
Sounds like the chemistry within the team is gelling well.
Good signs.
QuarterCenturyLegend
Stoopid Life
We played outstanding defense the first preseason game & Kyrie 
He's working his ass off on both sides of the ball.
About to tipoff in Orlando, I'll give some thoughts after the game
Game is on NBATV & FSO
He's working his ass off on both sides of the ball.About to tipoff in Orlando, I'll give some thoughts after the game
Game is on NBATV & FSO
Last edited: