The bench is better than you think
Cavs news and links for Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Here’s your Cleveland Cavaliers news and links for the day.
The first sip
I don’t think anyone would say that the Cavs had one of the best benches in the league last season. Caris LeVert was the only full-time reserve that scored more than ten points per game (14) and they were 14th in bench points last season (34.4 per game). Those aren’t exactly impressive numbers.
Instead, what the Cavs did show is that their bench pieces complimented hybrid lineups with the starters extremely well. Cleveland’s best two lineups from last season that played over 150 possessions featured at least two bench players. Part of that is due to the core not gelling, but it also speaks to the fact that the bench does a great job of accenting the starters’ strengths.
For example, lineups with Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade absolutely dominated opponents on the defensive end (105.8 defensive rating, 98th percentile) because of how they paired with Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell. Likewise, groupings with Georges Niang and Darius Garland were formidable offensively (119 offensive rating, 82nd percentile). These are just a few of the numerous groupings that worked well.
The goal isn’t to have the most prolific scorers coming off the bench. It’s to have the best complementary pieces to your core. You could argue the Cavaliers have that even though it may not be the most talented second unit.
This team’s issues stem more from not being able to get their core on the same page. That is the problem Kenny Atkinson will need to solve next season.
The second sip
Actual Darius Garland wasn’t thrilled that virtual Darius Garland was on the wrong end of showcasing new offensive features in NBA 2K25.
Come on bro https://t.co/fwK4rNg1nL
— Darius Garland (@dariusgarland22) August 28, 2024
Virtual Garland may be the worst defender in the history of basketball based on this clip.
Random Cavalier of the Day - Richard Washington
Washington played his last two seasons with the Cavs from 1980-82. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in a reserved role.
The Ted Stepien years were awful for Cleveland. These were two of the three seasons he was the owner. They went just 38-126 when Washington was on the team.
Trading for Washington is part of the many reasons why they were so bad in the Stepien Era. The Cavs parted with two first-round picks for Washington and Jerome Whitehead. Washington was good in his prime but was far removed from that by the team he arrived in Cleveland.
Washington was a renowned college basketball player. He was on UCLA’s 1975 championship team and won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player that season. Washington started his own construction company after basketball.
WNBA schedule today
- Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever, 7 PM
- Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury, 10 PM
- Full schedule here