It’s been 181 days since the lights were too bright.
After concluding the 2022-2023 regular season with an impressive 51-31 record, the vibes were high heading into the postseason. The arrival of all-star guard Donovan Mitchell brought many exciting, high-energy moments throughout the season, marking the Cavaliers’ first playoff appearance since the LeBron James era in 2018. Excitement surrounded the city as fans were ready to enter a new era of playoff basketball in Cleveland. Their first round opponent: the 5th seeded New York Knicks. I personally believed this matchup would be a breeze for the Cavs, predicting them to advance in 6 games to set up a challenging battle with the Milwaukee Bucks. Boy, was I wrong on so many levels. The Cavs got humiliated by the Knicks, losing in just 5 games. Long story short, New York exposed Cleveland’s shortcoming in toughness, outside shooting, and bench depth.
2022-2023 Stats:
Record: 51-31 (4th in Eastern Conference)
Offensive Rating: 115.5 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 109.9 (1st)
Net Rating: 5.6 (2nd)
Following last season’s embarrassing playoff flameout against the Knicks, the Cavs had multiple concerns heading into the offseason. To address their need for improved perimeter shooting, Cleveland acquired Max Strus (37% career 3 point percentage) and Georges Niang (40%). This move is set to open up the floor, enhancing the offensive tempo. Coach JB Bickerstaff has also been very optimistic about the addition of guard Ty Jerome, highlighting his perimeter shooting, ballhandling, and overall basketball IQ. After getting bullied in the paint by the Knicks and an overall lackluster performance, Bickerstaff vowed a more physical playing style. Cleveland signed Damian Jones to provide extra size and depth at the center position. They also brought back Tristan Thompson, a former Cavalier who brings veteran leadership to the locker room.
Offseason Activity:
Additions: F Max Strus, F Georges Niang, F Tristan Thompson, C Damian Jones, G Ty Jerome.
Losses: F Cedi Osman, C Robin Lopez, F Danny Green, F Dylan Windler, F/G Lamar Stevens.
Keys for Success
It’s time for Evan Mobley to make that jump in year 3. He is the X-factor. The Cavs’ ceiling is dependent on Mobley’s performance. Mobley excelled on the defensive side of the ball last season, ranking 3rd in DPOY and earning a spot on the first team all-defense. He was a big reason why the Cavs finished first in defensive rating. As he enters this season with the second-highest odds to win DPOY behind Jaren Jackson Jr., his defensive capabilities are unquestionable. What needs development is Mobley’s offensive game. The additions of Strus and Niang will space the floor and give him more room to work. The Cavs plan to give him more touches this year, especially early on in the season with Allen not fully healthy. Mobley must improve his ability to handle physical play, develop a reliable jump shot in the mid-range, and enhance his offensive IQ in the paint. Given his skillset and determination, it promises to be an exciting journey to watch his offensive game evolve.
Many people around the organization are expecting a big season from Darius Garland. After a year of playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, DG will have a better understanding of the team’s chemistry with Mitchell coming into the season. The Wine and Gold Talk Podcast reported how he did not touch a basketball for almost the first two months of the offseason because “he was just living in the weight room”. This is a promising development, particularly for one of the league’s smaller backcourts. Darius Garland is the Cavs’ longest tenured player, and his role as a leader this season will be intriguing to watch. I expect for Garland’s game to take a big leap in year 5 and for him to return to the all-star game.
Isaac Okoro’s perimeter defense was another pivotal factor in the Cavaliers finishing first in defensive rating last year. Okoro’s situation mirrors Evan Mobley’s, where both of them face the challenge of bridging the gap between their offensive and defensive abilities. Defensively, Okoro can handle matchups that the smaller guards might struggle with. If Okoro can find more ways to contribute on the offensive side of the ball, he can make a substantial impact on the team’s success this year.
Young Player to Watch: EMONI BATES
The steal of the draft – Emoni Bates. This kid is exactly the type of wing the Cavs were looking to develop. He is a slender, offensive minded scorer with a smooth jumper and impressive range. Bates shot 9-20 (45%) from 3 in three preseason games. Most importantly, he is a great fit on a team that is wanting to space the floor and play at a faster pace. Bates is under a two-way contract, so look for him to get some valuable playing time in the G-league to further develop his game.
Outlook
The projected depth is as follows: Garland, Mitchell, Strus, Mobley, and Allen will be the starters. The first three off the bench are LeVert, Okoro, and Niang. Dean Wade, Ty Jerome, Damian Jones, and Tristan Thompson are projected to be at bottom of the rotation. Ricky Rubio is still a question mark as he is taking time away from basketball to focus on mental health. Sam Merrill, Emoni Bates, and Isaiah Mobley will be the guys at the end of the bench.
Expect the Cavaliers to win a similar number of games as last year, aiming for that 50 win mark. They should win a lot of regular season games and finish 3rd in the East. We know what Donovan Mitchell brings to the table. If Garland and Mobley are able to take significant leaps in their respective games, I can see this team reaching the conference championship.
West Coast Hoops 