Cavs’ first assembly with J.B. Bickerstaff hints at common season rotation: Wine and Gold Speak podcast

Takeaways:

• The Cavs are in a very good place due to the work that J.B. Bickerstaff did whereas on the helm.
• Bickerstaff’s culture-building might be essential for the Pistons’ resurgence.
• Max Strus is important for the Cavs’ beginning lineup.
• Dean Wade’s versatility makes him a key participant for the Cavs, if he’s wholesome and assured.
• Kenny Atkinson’s fashionable strategy is a shift for the Cavs that they’re nonetheless adapting to.
• The group continues to be determining its rotation and chemistry.
• Ty Jerome’s skill to play a number of positions makes him a robust contender for the 11-man rotation, regardless of lacking 80 common season video games final yr.

Pay attention utilizing the participant beneath:

You can too hear utilizing your most well-liked podcast app. Subscription data is beneath.

Subscribe and hear on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The video model of the podcast is on YouTube as properly.

Learn the automated transcript of at the moment’s podcast beneath. As a result of it’s a computer-generated transcript, it could comprise errors and misspellings.

Ethan Sands

What up, Cavs Nation? I’m your host, Ethan Sands, and I’m again with one other episode of The Wine and Gold Speak podcast. Becoming a member of me all the best way from Detroit. Chris Fedor, how are you doing, Chris, how was the journey as much as Detroit? And who did you get to speak to while you received to make your little journey up there?

Chris (00:29.314)

Man, I’m doing nice. I’ve loved my time right here in Detroit. Received in yesterday, received a pleasant meal. Awakened this morning, went for a stroll alongside the water. I’m principally at a resort. It’s the Normal Motors headquarters and there’s a resort principally on prime of it. And this resort overlooks the water and you may see proper to Canada. So proper throughout from me, very seen.

is Windsor. So if I had extra time this afternoon, I may have gone to Canada. Why not? That chance would have been there. I had my passport with me. However I’ve been having fun with my time in Detroit. That is the primary time, Ethan, that I’m staying on this specific resort very near the water. More often than not once I’m right here, I’m nearer to the world, nearer to Camerica Park, nearer to the procuring.

Hudson yards that Dan Gilbert’s fingerprints are throughout with the revitalization of, downtown Detroit. however for the primary time I made a decision to remain at this resort, as a result of the speed was far more inexpensive and the surroundings is simply spectacular. Like I mentioned, that stroll that I went on earlier this morning was completely fantastic. And folks have been simply sitting by the water staring into Canada, wanting on the, the Caesar’s on line casino. That’s proper throughout the water.

in Windsor. So I’ve loved my time right here in Detroit. It’s a pleasant and straightforward drive. I made it in what, like two hours and 10 minutes or one thing like

Ethan Sands (02:06.86)

You have been zooming, you have been zooming on the observe. Okay, I prefer to see it. We’ll get in.

Chris (02:08.558)

I used to be man. I had locations to be. I had dinner to go to.

Ethan Sands (02:15.726)

And we’ll get into that dinner and just a little bit extra into Dan Gilbert and a number of the issues that the Cavs received to do After they have been in Detroit just a little bit later, however we received to get into this ballgame, proper Detroit Pistons Cleveland Cavaliers third preseason sport of the season I imply, it’s actually actually fascinating while you speak in regards to the storylines which might be underlying this sport clearly, we all know it’s preseason so it’s

Not getting an excessive amount of taken into consideration primarily based on common season stuff arising, however it was the primary time that the Cavs received to see J.B. Bickerstaff in a special jersey, a special uniform, and completely different all these various things, logos, emblems, no matter you wish to name it. It was the primary time they received to see J.B. Bickerstaff in a special gentle. Chris, I do know you bought to go on this journey so you possibly can speak to J.B. so you possibly can watch him play with just a little bit extra

of his schematics put into the Pistons. What did you’re taking away to this point?

Chris (03:18.05)

My major takeaway is that this, Ethan, the Cavs and JB Bickerstaff are the place they need to be. I believe in the event you look again at, at JB’s tenure with the Cavs, you possibly can’t inform that story with out speaking about his, his fingerprints being everywhere in the resurgence. as a result of on the time that he took over for John Beeline, who was utterly misplaced within the NBA.

The group was not what it’s proper now. You recognize, and it wasn’t solely a expertise infusion that allowed the Cavs to get up to now the place they’re proper now, which is a respectable contending group within the Jap Convention. One of many 4 finest groups most likely within the Jap Convention, relying on the way you rank these. It was JB instilling a tradition. It was JB placing in a protection first id.

It was JB getting them to purchase in to the roles that they have been going to play within the resurgence of this group. was, you already know, JB and the issues that he preached each day, toughness, togetherness, competitiveness, sacrifice, all these various things have been paramount to the Cavs getting out of the rebuild. As a result of we’ve talked about this, Ethan. There are numerous groups all through the course of NBA historical past.

that shift into these rebuilds they usually have a bunch of excessive draft picks and it will look like they proceed so as to add younger expertise. And guess what? They don’t ever make it out of that rebuild. They don’t get to the purpose the place the Cavs are at presently. So once more, I believe you hear appreciation from varied gamers and members of the Cavs group over the past couple of days for what JB meant.

to get them to the purpose the place they’re proper now. They don’t try this with out JB. We will’t simply assume that they’d have performed that with anyone aside from JB as a result of we’ve seen different situations throughout the NBA that the flawed coach in a rebuild doesn’t enable a group to get out of that rebuild and have a resurgence. So I believe there’s a degree of appreciation from

Chris (05:43.16)

varied members of this group, together with the gamers, for what JB meant to their success over the previous 4 years. However I believe there’s additionally an understanding of, if we have been going to take the subsequent step as a corporation, we have been going to want anyone who brings a special sort of ability set, who brings completely different strengths to the desk. And to them, that’s Kenny Atkinson.

He’s extra fashionable along with his philosophies. He’s extra fashionable along with his ideas and his ideas. He’s seen as a greater X’s and O’s man, a greater tactician. So while you get right into a seven sport playoff sequence and choices have to return actually, actually fast and offense needs to be various and fewer predictable and all these various things that matter that may doubtlessly swing a sequence. The Cavs perception is that they’ve a greater man.

for the playoff chess match. In saying that, in the event you flip it over to the opposite facet, what does Detroit want proper now? We’re not speaking about playoffs. We’re not speaking about 40 wins. We’re not speaking about 50 wins. They want anyone who’s going to do the issues that J.B. Bicker employees has been nice at all through the course of his profession. Set up a tradition. Get these guys to purchase right into a sure type. I do know it’s simply pre-season.

And I do know that, you already know, the Cavs weren’t at their finest tonight, Ethan, however these have been some feisty dudes on the market for the Pistons that have been taking part in actually, actually arduous. They have been combating by screens that have been being actually handsy on protection and bodily on protection. So I’m not saying that JB goes to take the Pistons from the worst group within the NBA over the past two years and switch them right into a playoff group in a single day, however you possibly can see indicators.

of the issues that JB preaches and you may see the Detroit Pistons shopping for into these specific ideas. Have they got sufficient expertise for it to matter? We’ll simply have to attend and see. However I believe the issues that JB does properly, the issues that JB does the most effective, that’s what Detroit wants. The areas the place he comes up quick, the perceived weaknesses of JB as a coach.

Chris (08:03.734)

Kenny Atkinson seemingly fills in these gaps. In order I mentioned, I believe JB is the place he must be. And I believe the Cavs are the place they need to be with a special coach, a special philosophy, extra fashionable ideas and ideas and all these sorts of issues.

Ethan Sands (08:23.458)

Yeah, and I imply, even JB Bickerstaff himself mentioned that the Detroit Pistons are a piece in progress. They won’t be a completed product they usually don’t count on to be, is a quote that he gave earlier this week, proper? He’s a man that is aware of what he’s working with, to be very frank. He is aware of that this can be a youthful group that’s gotten veterans this season which might be gonna assist out. Tobias Herritt, Malik Beasley, these guys are gonna play their roles when they should, however…

It’s additionally citing this younger core of fellows that they’ve received to attempt to carry collectively at the next caliber, greater degree. Chris, I wished to speak about these guys that they performed tonight, proper? The Cavs and Kenny Atkinson talked earlier than the sport about taking part in their starters a very good quantity, proper? They usually did. Majority of the starters performed 20 minutes or extra tonight. However for the Detroit Pistons, it was fairly the alternative.

their starters solely performed eight minutes for the whole lot of the sport. Are you able to simply stroll by what you noticed and the way the Cavs sort of adjusted their sport all through or in the event that they performed with the identical mindset that they’d getting into once they noticed the rotation shifting towards them?

Chris (09:40.03)

To start with, Ethan, I believe we will cease with one factor. This entire concept that some individuals have created of their thoughts that anyone aside from Max Struz goes to begin at Small Ahead as a result of whichever fan it’s needs extra protection or extra measurement or a extra conventional Small Ahead or nonetheless you wish to phrase it. Get that out of your thoughts.

Max Struce goes to begin for this group at Small Ahead. Max Struce may be very, essential to the success of this group. Max Struce brings the beginning 5 collectively in a special sort of approach than Karis Levert can. Or a special sort of approach than Isaac Okoro can. So yeah, we will speak in regards to the issues that Karis does properly, and we will speak in regards to the issues that Isaac Okoro does properly. What this beginning group wants in the event that they’re gonna go together with Evan Mobley and Jared Allen, and they’re…

They’re dedicated to the 2 huge lineup. Kenny Atkinson actually, actually likes the massive lineup. That’s been the first focus all through the course of summer season camp, all through the course of coaching camp, all through their time collectively within the preseason. Within the first two preseason video games, the main focus has been totally on the massive lineup as a result of that’s how dedicated Kenny is to creating Jarrett and Evan work collectively. So in the event you’re going to play these guys collectively and they’re,

You want anyone with Max Drews’ ability set. That’s what brings that beginning 5 collectively. Motion, spacing, gravity, three-point taking pictures, quantity, the eye that he instructions, chopping, all these various things. There’s a motive why statistically Max Drews was probably the most impactful gamers that the Cavs had final yr. As a result of the issues that he does properly, that’s what this offense, that’s what this beginning lineup

wants. Regardless that he didn’t shoot it in addition to perhaps he would wish to. Regardless that he didn’t put up gaudy stats, he’s an impactful participant, particularly across the core 4. And look, you don’t wish to make an excessive amount of out of preseason or something alongside these traces, however you possibly can inform when Karis Laverde is in there or Isaac Kikoro is there flanking the core 4. It simply appears completely different. Simply feels completely different.

Chris (12:03.5)

doesn’t have the identical offensive ceiling. It doesn’t have the identical variety offensively. There’s not the identical motion and all that sort of stuff. So we will get that out of our head. If Max Struce is wholesome for October twenty third towards the Toronto Raptors and all of my sources say that he’s anticipated to be out there on opening evening, though no person needs to say that as a result of he may have a setback and since we’re nonetheless every week away.

from the season opener, the assumption is that Max goes to be within the lineup on opening evening. Identical factor with regards to Sam Merrill. The idea is that he’s going to be wholesome sufficient to play on opening evening. And if this was the common season versus the preseason, the assumption is from my sources that each guys could be within the lineup. So the Cavs are simply attempting to be cautious with each of them due to the calendar and the way favorable the calendar is for them.

However the different factor that stood out to me, Ethan, is that we all know the eleventh. Like, you don’t wish to make sweeping conclusions. You don’t wish to make declarations primarily based on the preseason. However all the pieces that Kenny Atkinson has mentioned, Ethan, over the past couple of days is, these ultimate two preseason video games are going to be a tune-up for the common season. It’s going to offer me a possibility to actually hone in on what the opening evening rotation goes to be.

I’m going to offer these guys the majority of the minutes. The 11 have been fairly clear within the first three quarters tonight towards Detroit. And I believe they’re going to be fairly clear within the first three quarters Friday evening towards the Chicago Bulls. The 2 guys that didn’t play tonight, Max Struce and Sam Merrill, after which the 9 that you’d most anticipate. The one query I believe we have now now, Ethan, with regards to the rotation is like, who’s 10, 11?

and who’s going to be the man the place their minutes fluctuate essentially the most. And if I needed to guess proper now, there’s nonetheless some issues that I wish to determine. There’s nonetheless some questions that I wish to ask. However 10, 11 to me, if I needed to guess proper now, George Neang and Tyger.

Ethan Sands (14:21.582)

Yeah, and I imply, that’s one thing that we’ve sort of been inching in the direction of for a good interval now as a result of Kenny Atkinson’s been sort of saying he didn’t wish to give it away or saying he’s nonetheless working by it and all these kind of issues. However I agree with you, Chris. Tonight was actually one of many larger moments to determine that 11. And I agree with you that Sam Mero and Max Truist are going to be in that. Clearly, Max Truist was out tonight with a proper hip contusion, Sam Mero with a sore proper wrist.

Two issues that we have now heard all through the day was that they’d good exercises at the moment. Possibly not as a lot contact or no contact in any respect, however they have been getting in full pace reps and with the ability to do issues that they weren’t a few days in the past, particularly. So I believe it’s simply actually vital to notice, particularly contact on what you mentioned. Max Deuce is a pivotal portion of this group, particularly of the beginning lineup, however he’s going to begin.

Like there’s not a query anymore, proper? And the opposite factor that I wished to the touch on briefly was how Ty Jerome and Dean Wade have performed out of the approaching off the bench and particularly with Dean Wade being a sort of combine and match piece with regards to being a connector, proper? Kenny Atkinson talked about George Nguyen being a connector in a number of completely different aspects and the way that’s occurred to me. Dean Wade is the glue for thus many alternative lineups that Kenny Atkinson goes to be utilizing, proper?

He’s going to be the foreman within the stretch lineup. He might be a in the event that they wish to put him on the small ahead for a giant lineup, that may be a giant line of six, 10, two, seven footers. Proper. After which you concentrate on simply the place he midges and matches with regards to the rotation items, particularly tonight. Dean Wade was one of many gamers that was in with the beginning group, technically, after which additionally with the bench rotation group. Proper. So what have you ever seen from each Ty

And from Dean Wade, for me, it actually does really feel like Ty Jerome goes to fill in when Donovan Mitchell doesn’t want or may want a arrange level guard, proper? As a result of we all know that he does higher with a desk setter and Ty Jerome is a move first level guard. And that helps out Donovan Mitchell in all of the units that they’re going to run as properly. However he’s additionally proven that he’s been capable of shoot the ball, particularly tonight. That’s one thing that we received to see just a little bit extra.

Chris (16:46.616)

Kenny Atkinson appears like in some methods, Ethan, Kenny Atkinson appears like me of the earlier two years with regards to speaking about Dean Wade. Like for the final two years, I’ve been attempting each approach potential and on as many alternative platforms as potential to sing the praises of Dean Wade, the basketball participant.

And that to me is what Kenny Atkinson is doing. Each time, like every sort of dialog about Dean Wade comes, Kenny lights up. Tonight, pregame, I requested Kenny about the place he feels Dean matches finest positionally for this group, as a result of I’m attempting to get an concept of he thinks he’s primarily a 4 man. If he does imagine he’s able to taking part in the three in sure lineups. He like beamed.

and mentioned, he can play two by 5, relying on the matchup, relying on the group that we’re taking part in towards. After which tonight we’re speaking to Kenny Postgame and Serena asks him a query in regards to the run that the Cavs received off to a horrible begin tonight.

They only didn’t have the vitality. They didn’t have the main focus. have been throwing ball all over. They couldn’t put the ball within the basket. They have been complaining to the referees continually. So it simply wasn’t a very good efficiency throughout, particularly firstly of the primary quarter, the start of the third quarter. However on the finish of the primary quarter, they went on like a 20 to 5 run and Serena requested particularly in regards to the 20 to 5 run and what went properly throughout that stretch. What do suppose Kenny mentioned?

Dean Wade was on the market. That’s what he mentioned. He mentioned that second unit actually gave us enhance led by Dean Wade and Isaac Okora, however it was Dean particularly. I don’t know. I believe he was like a plus 16 throughout that stretch or one thing like that. So you can simply see the sort of influence that Dean was making when he was on the market. And Kenny made certain to level it out. And I believe Kenny being an analytics man,

Chris (19:02.178)

Kenny being anyone who makes numerous choices primarily based on not simply what the numbers say, as a result of he’s going to go along with his intestine. He’s going to go along with his really feel, however he does lean into numbers much more than JB Bickerstaff did prior to now. And the numbers love Dean Wade as an influence defender, as an influence participant, as a internet score kind man. So all the pieces says that the Cavs

are a really, superb basketball group at each ends of the ground when Dean Wade is on the market. And each alternative that Kenny has gotten to speak in regards to the depth of this group, the rotations, the bench, he has singled out Dean Wade. He has gassed him up, as the children prefer to say. So I assumed it was fairly fascinating to me that through the Cavs finest stretch tonight,

Dean Wade was on the market and Kenny definitely observed and different individuals contained in the group observed that as properly. In the case of Ty, prefer to me, Ethan, an important facet of tonight’s sport for Ty was the truth that Kenny performed him alongside Darius and he performed him alongside Donovan. And we’ve talked about this quite a few completely different instances on the podcast. Ty Jerome is a two place participant.

And that’s going to offer him a greater alternative to get constant taking part in time. And I do suppose Kenny likes the truth that that Ty can play the one or the 2. He can play on the ball off the ball. He can play with Darius with out Darius with Donovan.

with out Donovan and to me that was Kenny simply sort of experimenting, tinkering, seeing the way it appears with Donovan and Ty collectively, the way it appears with Darius Ty collectively, what sorts of different items they would want in these sorts of lineups. So I do suppose the truth that Kenny did that tonight was very, very purposeful.

Ethan Sands (21:11.534)

bear in mind writing an article on the finish of final season the place it was like, if Dean Wade is wholesome, then this group can contend. And everyone jumped on my again was like, Dean Wade? Like he averages 5 factors a sport or no matter it was. And I used to be like, properly, in the event you have a look at the superior metrics and like all of those various things, and I do know individuals which might be gonna hear this podcast and say the identical factor.

He was considered one of three tonight. He had 5 factors. He had 5 rebounds and one help, one block and two fouls. However he was a plus 20. Like, he was a plus 20. And this can be a dialog that we regularly have. I bear in mind final yr, I believe he like had a excessive of like a plus 34 or one thing. Like final yr, he didn’t have that nice of a stat line, however it’s the spacing, proper? It’s the defensive effort.

Chris (21:37.784)

Yeah.

Ethan Sands (22:06.85)

The quantity of switching that I noticed with Isaac’s coral Dean approach whether or not it was Evan Moley or Jared Allen on the ground was Spectacular since you perceive they mentioned I don’t care who’s in entrance of me I can change them with D approach and really feel protected about doing it proper and the opposite gamers that had excessive plus minuses tonight when it got here to an evening that the Cavs regarded sloppy and taking part in towards like

Chris (22:22.124)

Purple.

Ethan Sands (22:34.498)

Chris mentioned after the sport, the Detroit Pistons JV group and nonetheless misplaced was Ty Jerome, who was plus 20 or plus 12. Sorry. He had eight factors and was simply two of three from the sphere and considered one of one from three level vary. Proper. Then from the starters, the one two people who have been within the constructive for plus minus was Jared Allen and Donovan Mitchell, they usually have been plus twos.

I imply, tonight it was very clear to me, proper? Jared Allen regarded like he was the most effective participant on the ground. He was capable of simply be environment friendly in all the pieces he was doing. He was a defensive monster. The one block that he had was only a knockout. After which clearly you will have Evan Mobley who has 4 blocks on the facet on a down evening in comparison with what we’ve been anticipating from him. However such as you don’t lose the defensive facet. That’s the largest factor, proper? That’s what Kenny Higginson has been saying.

Chris (23:27.097)

Hmm.

Ethan Sands (23:32.734)

If the Cavs are going to be nice, they need to lean on that defensive id. Certain. There have been spurts and all these various things the place the Detroit Pistons have been taking benefit and there have been some miscues on the defensive finish the place they received open pictures and nook threes and all these different issues. I do know Isaac Acora was sitting on the bench or or taking part in and like, dang, if I might have simply hit these open threes like they’re doing proper now. Woo. However I simply suppose this offense is continuous to get its footing.

And like Chris mentioned firstly of the podcast, Max Drews on the market adjustments the sport. And Caris LaVert can be taking part in at a 3 and taking part in with the starters is totally completely different from the position that Caris LaVert has been used to. One, two, Caris LaVert mentioned final yr that he’s used to, snug, and is pleased with doing one thing persistently. That was being the sixth man for the cap.

This yr it might be just a little completely different relying on how the rotations and issues go. However, Carouselvert, when he’s doing the identical factor over and over, that’s when he catches right into a rhythm. That’s when he will get into his consolation zone. Tonight, being thrown into the beginning lineup, Kenny Atkinson was like, we’re gonna see what you’re gonna do and we’ll go from there. However Chris, simply general, what are you taking away?

Chris (24:55.864)

So going again to Dean, the opposite factor that I wish to say on that is that, you already know, in some unspecified time in the future, Ethan, it’s not a coincidence. It’s not a coincidence primarily based on how the Cavs play when Dean is on the market. And in some unspecified time in the future, it’s not only a byproduct of him being lucky to play alongside sure lineups. You recognize what I imply? Like in some unspecified time in the future, it’s simply him and he’s an impactful dude. And it’s arduous for individuals to see it.

as a result of they have a look at the field rating they usually’re like, what the hell did he do tonight? You recognize what saying? However like everyone has a special position on this group and Dean performs to his position very, very properly. You recognize, my major takeaway tonight, Ethan, was principally in regards to the rotation coming into focus. And I additionally thought it was comparatively telling and look, I do know that they only had to make use of sure guys to complete out video games or no matter.

However I assumed it was comparatively telling that George Niang was on the market with the Cleveland cost. He was on the market with Craig Porter Jr. He was on the market with JT Thor, Luke Travers, Jalen Tyson, guys who may definitely spend a while with the Cleveland cost. JT Thor and Luke Travers on two-way contracts.

Jalen Tyson, anyone who Kenny Atkinson has talked about, look, if there’s not a pathway to constant taking part in time for him, that’s one thing that we’re going to contemplate. and, Jalen Tyson, you already know, with regards to significant preseason minutes, this, this within the first three video games, he simply hasn’t gotten them. So it tells me that although the Cavs like Tyson, they drafted him twentieth general for a motive.

Even supposing Kenny Atkinson and different teammates have talked in regards to the constructive first impression that Jalen has made all through the course of coaching camp and when he’s gotten an even bigger alternative, he’s taken benefit of it. Regardless of these issues.

Chris (27:05.6)

It simply appears like there’s extra consolation with the extra identified commodities that exist already on this roster versus Jalen as a result of he simply hasn’t gotten the significant minutes that time to him being a part of this rotation on opening evening. And once more, we’ve talked about this. He can play himself into the rotation. Issues can occur all through the course of the season.

that give him a possibility and he may capitalize it, capitalize on it. And he may, you already know, begin chopping into the taking part in time of, anyone who’s going to be within the 10, 11 man rotation on opening evening. But it surely simply doesn’t really feel possible with regards to, to Jaylen, regardless of how properly he has carried out at varied factors. He’s a rookie. He’s caught in a numbers sport. And he’s on a group.

that’s coming off an Jap Convention semi-finals look that introduced again 13 of the 14 NBA gamers from that exact roster. It’s simply going to be arduous for him in such a brief time period, this early in his profession, to make his mark within the NBA. So these have been my major takeaways from tonight. Like I don’t wish to get caught up within the turnovers and…

you already know, a number of the different sloppiness that we noticed from this group, as a result of I believe a few of that, Ethan, you possibly can simply chalk as much as it’s preseason sport quantity three. These guys are prepared for the common season. They received to play higher. they received to have extra focus, extra consideration to element, all these various things. However, however I simply, I don’t get caught up in ultimate outcomes and scores this time of yr. Though and three within the pre-season isn’t actually the best way that Kenny Atkinson most likely needs to begin.

is tenure with the Cavs.

Ethan Sands (29:04.738)

I imply, by no means, by no means, proper? I imply, for me, it was simply humorous to me how the Detroit Pistons performed, proper? The up temple type, like spreading the ground, getting the ball up the court docket rapidly and taking nook threes. Tobias Harris, I believe had two threes to open up the sport. They have been like so fast and so early within the shot clock. I used to be like, is that this the Cavs being out?

performed by their new system higher than they’re taking part in presently? Like clearly they’re nonetheless engaged on it, nonetheless attending to know the system, all these various things. It’s simply wanting on the little issues that we will level out too. However I wished to get again to at least one fast factor earlier than we wrapped up, proper? We wanna see what Isaac Okoro goes to do. We wanna see what Ty Jerome is gonna do.

We wish to see what Craig Porter Jr. goes to do, however we’re speaking just a little bit in regards to the sort of controversies that we’ve heard from our subscribers, from our followers, and all these different issues. Jaylen Tyson as properly is on this dialog. JT, Jaylen Tyson, and Craig Porter Jr. have proven just a little bit over the preseason that they is perhaps urgent just a little bit, proper? While you’re attempting to earn a spot.

reasonably than when Craig Porter Jr. final yr was not anticipating to get minutes, was anticipated to spend time within the G League on a two-way contract, then earn a normal contract within the NBA. He appears like he’s attempting to earn that spot and say that I’m adequate to be the backup level guard, proper? It feels to me that he’s been urgent just a bit bit. Jalen Tyson, there may be moments that you just see that as properly, proper? Jalen Tyson within the first two video games was the main rebounder, proper?

Chris (30:33.379)

Mm-hmm.

Ethan Sands (30:56.396)

one thing that he’s been heartbroken and say that he’s going to carry from his faculty days to the NBA, he’s performed that. However with regards to scoring the basketball, one thing that he was so good at it, Cal, it appears like he’s urgent. Like, I bear in mind the primary sport in preseason, you can see how arduous he was attempting to get his first NBA bucket within the preseason, proper? That’s sort of carried over when the offense hasn’t performed to his liking through the preseason.

when he’s been working with these rotation guys. So I believe you talked about the Dane Tyson piece. For me, it’s the Craig Porter Jr. piece. I do know I used to be so excessive on him final yr due to how he performed, due to what he earned his spot. However this yr, it actually does really feel like he’s going to need to take a again seat, extra so a task that he might need had final yr that he received pushed ahead to the highest of one thing on the backcourt with regards to the backup rotation.

However I simply suppose this group goes to need to determine itself out and goes to proceed to study itself all through the common season. So issues can change, however the conversations of Craig Porter Jr. must be the backup level guard as a result of he’s been right here just a little bit longer than Ty Jerome. Don’t actually sit properly with me, proper? The offense that they’re working, the protection, like Chris mentioned, with the ability to play two positions reasonably than Craig Porter Jr. simply being some extent guard. These are going to harm.

Craig Porter Jr.’s possibilities of with the ability to get extra minutes. However we’ll need to see what Kenny Atkinson thinks and if he’ll be capable to get minutes relying on no matter occurs all through the season.

Chris (32:37.218)

Right here’s the first drawback that I believe Craig has with regards to this present roster make-up. There’s a perception that the Cavs don’t want a backup level guard from the outset. Look, if one thing occurs, Darius Garland fractures his jaw, Donovan Mitchell is coping with knee points, regardless of the case could also be. In the event that they get right into a scenario the place the established order adjustments, all proper. However coming into the yr,

There’s a perception that they don’t want a backup level guard. Even Ty Jerome. They don’t technically want him. They like him. They like his match subsequent to Darius, subsequent to Donovan. He has the scale to play the 2. has sufficient versatility and the sort of ability set that permits him to raised play off the ball than anyone like Craig. Particularly with regards to Ty as a succesful outdoors shooter and a risk.

You recognize, with regards to Craig Porter Jr. So many of those defenders are simply going to go underneath screens and sag off of him and stuff. He’s not the identical sort of risk that Ty is. However, the first drawback is that the best way that the Cavs roster is constructed, they will play Donovan Mitchell at backup level guard.

Chris (33:58.094)

He can run the second unit. No drawback working the second unit. So just like the factor that theoretically Craig Porter Jr. is on the roster for the Cavs simply produce other extra succesful choices than him. And it doesn’t imply that he’s a nasty participant. And it doesn’t imply that that he shouldn’t get taking part in time in some unspecified time in the future throughout an 82 sport common season. However we’re speaking about opening evening, October twenty third towards the Raptors.

The Cavs may go into that sport and say, you already know what, we’re simply going to stagger Donovan and Darius. We’re going to maintain a kind of guys on the ground always. And whoever occurs to be on the ground goes to run level guard. And never each group is constructed like that. Proper. However, however the Cavs are, I had one member of the group say to me earlier at the moment, they’re like, we really feel fairly good about 4 or 5 working the present. If that’s what it needs to be. And rightfully so.

You recognize, so many individuals discuss final yr, Ethan, they usually discuss, you already know, the run that the Cavs went on when Darius was injured and Evan was injured. They usually discuss how good the offense regarded with Donovan working the present.

If that’s the case, if that’s how you’re feeling about it, then it is sensible that the calves would most likely really feel fairly just like that approach as properly.

Ethan Sands (35:24.456)

And we’re nonetheless every week away from the common season kickoff, tipoff, no matter you wish to name it, proper? And this can be a group that also has a final preseason sport towards the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on Friday, however there’s nonetheless extra to study, proper? They’re not urgent, proper? They wish to be taking part in common season basketball. That’s the place we’re attending to, Chris. And I don’t find out about you,

can sense it with this group just a little bit that they wish to be taking part in common season basketball. I’m prepared for the common season to tip off too. Able to get going. However we’ll simply have to attend a pair extra days. Seven to be actual. However with that being mentioned.

Chris (35:54.094)

you

Chris (36:06.294)

Yeah, in addition they have some issues that they received to determine to Ethan. imply, so lots of the gamers talked about it following tonight’s sport towards Detroit, the unfold lineup that they use tonight within the preseason the place they went with Evan Mobley by himself at heart surrounded by 4 guys or Jared Allen by himself at heart surrounded by 4 guys. Darius mentioned earlier tonight, that was the primary time that the Cavs used it. That specific lineup.

They talked about it. They’d mentioned it amongst coaches about the way it was going to look and what elements have been wanted and issues like that. However in a sport scenario, that was not utilized in sport one. That was not utilized in preseason sport two. That was not used within the inter squad scrimmage that they did the opposite day. That was not utilized in numerous these items that they’ve performed behind the scenes all through the course of coaching camp.

So a number of the lineups that they use tonight within the third preseason sport, it was the primary time that they really use them. So there are some issues that they’ve to determine inside these. There’s some chemistry that they should proceed to achieve. There’s some understanding about how gamers match with each other in a few of these completely different appears. So the extra time you get on the ground, the extra you possibly can workshop these issues, determine what works, what doesn’t work and get extra solutions heading into October twenty third.

that’s going to be a very good factor. So yeah, I imply, I believe mentally they’re most likely sitting right here saying, carry on the common season. But when we’re being trustworthy about it, the issues that they nonetheless have to work by as a group and a number of the issues that they have been saying within the locker room after tonight’s sport, they may positively use Friday. It is going to be helpful for them.

Ethan Sands (37:58.326)

And I believe that not solely preseason, proper? The early common season. Kenny Atkinson has additionally talked about it being a course of, getting adjusted. They’ll use the primary couple of video games to get adjusted to determine one another out. And particularly if Max Truce isn’t capable of play in Friday’s final preseason sport, he’ll need to get reacclimated as properly. So we’ll simply have to attend and see what they do and the way they play, particularly towards the Bulls. However even going ahead, wanting on the Toronto Raptors,

Chris (38:04.109)

Mm-hmm.

Ethan Sands (38:28.288)

after which when the Pistons come to Cleveland within the common season for the house opener on October twenty fifth. However with that being mentioned, that’ll wrap up at the moment’s episode of the Wine and Gold Speak Podcast. However bear in mind to turn out to be a Cavs Insider and work together with Chris, me, and Jimmy by subscribing to Subtext. Join a 14 day free trial or go to cleveland.com backslash Cavs and click on on the blue bar on the prime of the web page. If you happen to don’t prefer it, that’s nice.

All it’s important to do is textual content the phrase cease. It’s simple. However we will let you know that the individuals who join, stick round as a result of that is one of the best ways to get insider protection on the forged from me, Chris and Jimmy. This isn’t simply our podcast. It’s your podcast. And the one solution to have your voice heard is thru subtext. Y’all be protected. We out.