Why Cedi Osman is perfect for the 2017-2018 Cavaliers
With the Cavaliers season over with the Game 5 victory of the Golden State Warriors many in Cleveland are looking at the Warriors as an unbeatable super-team. Walking through streets of Cleveland one can hear "What's the point. The Warriors are going to win for the next 5 years." Although yes there was a big difference between the 2016 Finals and the 2017 Finals, we are still arguably the second best team in the NBA.
When looking at tape of the Warriors in the NBA Finals there is one glaring deficiency. This deficiency showed up in the form of Kevin Durant's alarming efficiency as well as usage. In June Kevin Durant had 28.5% usage and 32.3%FGM. This means that Kevin Durant was easily the most efficient of the players that played over 10 minutes per game. The reason for this is simple. When looking at the Cavaliers roster the only player that could reasonably defend Durant in the Finals was LeBron James. We all understand the offensive impact that LeBron has on the Cavaliers. However, many underestimate the defensive impact he has. He gives the Cavaliers a player that can defend 1-5. He gives them a player that can switch on every screen as well as play help on the weak side. He also provides a defender in the paint that opponents are scared to drive against. This is the kind of player you need to defend Kevin Durant. A versatile long wing with quick feet and quicker hands: Meet Cedi Osman.
Cedi Osman making a layup over Spanish guard Sergio Llull
Although I am not saying that Osman could defend Durant one on one. I am saying he would help the Cavaliers be able to switch more freely on the defensive side of the ball, a necessity while playing against such a dominating player such as Durant.
Cedi Osman is a Turkish 22 year old drafted in 2015. He plays in the turkish league as well as the Euroleague. Throughout his play in the Euroleague he has shown a drive and determination to defend. He has that special determination that Cavaliers fans have seen in former point guard Dellavedova as well as starting center Tristan Thompson. He is not a future star with the likes of Kristaps Porzingis or even Dario Saric. He is however the perfect defensive versatile wing player the Cavaliers have been looking for.
Osman was introduced to elite level competition at the age of 16 when he was invited to the Jordan Brand Classic on the International team. That team had future NBA players Mario Hezonja and Andrew Wiggins. During that game he produced. He stole the ball 6 times as well as scoring 14 and recording 5 rebounds and 3 assists all in 27 minutes of action. That same summer he was introduced to the Turkish National team. A team where he has seen his greatest successes. He has seen play in many youth international tournaments and won gold at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He also won gold as well as MVP honors at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. His biggest honor however might be the 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament where he won bronze as well as most talented player. This award has been given to NBA players such as Nikola Mirotic and Ersan Ilyasova as well as Clippers new guard Milos Teodosic. In his International duties he has also landed a spot on the Senior team and has played at many international tournaments representing Turkey.
Through his play Osman shows great quickness and intellect. He has been a role player for his club team and shows great physical traits to be a wing defender in the NBA. While playing less than 20 minutes a game for his club he recorded .7 steals per game. He shows the skills and abilities necessary to be a defender the NBA.
To understand Osman's game one must first understand that he is not a player who will put up 20 points and 3 steals and 10 rebounds. He is a player whose play will affect parts of the game that many statistics do not record. He is a roleplayer that will affect the game in a positive manner.
Osman shows excellent quickness and intelligent on the defensive end. He shows the ability to defend the pick and roll and takes every time he gets beat personal. He also shows the effort to sprint down the floor during every transition defensively or offensively. Being a solid rebounder helps him by allowing him to start fast breaks and lets him make intelligent decisions. Once he does get the ball in the full court he shows a full array of moves that allow him to get to the hoop. He also shows the intelligence and effort on the offensive end when he makes a smart cut to the hoop. He has shown time and time again the IQ ability to make a quick cut and the determination to not just jog but sprint to get a wide open dunk. He also has shown the ability to care for the ball and does not turn the ball over only doing so on 11.5% of his possessions.
Although Osman has shown that he struggles offensively. He struggles to hit jumpers consistently and to create his own shot that is OK. The Cavaliers are not asking him to be the center of the offensive. He has great potential based on his frame and aggressive determined nature both offensively and defensively. He will most likely not be ready to put major minutes in this season. However, Cedi Osman will bring talent and youth to a locker room that is in serious search for players under 30. Cedi Osman is one for the future and is the exact type of player that the Cavaliers are in serious need of.