Fear The Sword - All PostsThe Warriors blew a 3-1 lead - never forget that.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50189/fts-fav.png2024-03-17T15:38:16-05:00http://www.fearthesword.com/rss/current/2024-03-17T15:38:16-05:002024-03-17T15:38:16-05:00Cavs to sign Marcus Morris to 10-day contract
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<p>Morris will be available for the Cavs game against the Pacers on Monday.</p> <p id="DSiXUa">The report from <a href="https://twitter.com/PatBevPod/status/1768782038633414976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1768782038633414976%7Ctwgr%5E706e16316fc71a6831433b2cd7483ed00132b542%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fearthesword.com%2F2024%2F3%2F15%2F24102557%2Fnba-free-agency-rumors-marcus-morris-cleveland-cavaliers">Patrick Beverly and his podcast</a> that Marcus Morris Sr. <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/15/24102557/nba-free-agency-rumors-marcus-morris-cleveland-cavaliers">was intending to sign</a> with the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> was backed up by NBA insiders on Saturday night. According to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1769170205916516781?s=20">Shams Charania of The Athletic</a>, Morris will be signing a 10-day contract and should be available for Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.</p>
<p id="GGYJSr">The timing of this deal makes sense. Dean Wade returned to the team after being away for personal reasons but wasn’t able to take the court on Saturday against the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a> due to knee soreness. This, on top of Evan Mobley and Max Strus — who can play the four in spurts — being out, has left Georges Niang and Isaiah Mobley as the only true power forwards on the roster. </p>
<p id="8WHt56">The lack of depth <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/16/24103284/final-score-cleveland-cavaliers-embarrassed-by-houston-rockets-117-103">was on display in their loss to the Rockets</a>. J.B. Bickerstaff started Niang but spelled him with Isaac Okoro at the four and lineups featuring two centers with some combination of Jarrett Allen, Tristan Thompson, and Damian Jones. Units that didn’t include Niang unsurprisingly didn’t fare well before garbage time.</p>
<p id="XMqJ4x">Morris should help in the short term. The 34-year-old power forward appeared in 37 games with the <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com">Philadelphia 76ers</a> this season before being traded to the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com">San Antonio Spurs</a> as part of a three-team deal. The Spurs waived him shortly thereafter. This season, Morris is averaging 6.7 points on .439/.400/.861 shooting splits with 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 17.2 minutes per contest.</p>
<p id="oBNKsb">At this point, it’s not completely clear how Morris factors into the team’s plans for the remainder of the season. It seems that he’s likely going to be on the team for the remainder of the season given he can provide veteran leadership and toughness the team coulse use. But, Cleveland has an out if they choose to go a different route.</p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/17/24104178/cleveland-cavaliers-to-sign-marcus-morristo-10-day-contractJackson Flickinger2024-03-17T12:30:00-05:002024-03-17T12:30:00-05:00Sharife Cooper’s 10-day contract made him “want to be there even more”
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<figcaption>Photo by Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cooper’s brief time with the Cavs reinforced his belief in himself and his goal of being on an NBA roster.</p> <p id="GVZ2xn">Sharife Cooper played one of his best games of the season in the Cleveland Charge’s win Friday night against the Raptors 905. The Charge were shorthanded with their three two-way players with the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. Cooper made sure that didn’t matter as he notched 29 points on 12-21 shooting with 12 assists to go along with just two turnovers en route to a victory.</p>
<p id="Sl6k1a">Afterward, Charge head coach Mike Gerrity noted that this was the balance between scoring and playmaking he’s wanted to see from his point guard.</p>
<p id="DtIupM">“I just saw a guy that was being decisive,” Geritty said. “He was making quick decisions and was trusting his teammates. It was finding the balance between getting guys involved and then taking those opportunities to attack.”</p>
<p id="EC0NCl">Performances like this with 12 assists to just two turnovers are the ones Cooper will need to make more routine to prove that he’s more than just an undersized microwave scorer. A knock that has kept him from getting a look at the NBA level for the majority of the last two seasons.</p>
<p id="wnCqd1"><a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/2/26/24083940/cleveland-cavaliers-sign-guard-sharife-cooper-to-10-day-contract">Cooper’s recent 10-day contract with the Cavs</a> has given him a new perspective and focus on what he needs to do to get back to that level.</p>
<p id="m3PMDU">“It was a great experience,” Cooper said. “Just being there, back in an NBA atmosphere, in an NBA locker room, on an NBA bench. I didn’t get in a game, but just to be there to scout was great.”</p>
<p id="FwuoE9">It was also a reminder of what he hasn’t been a part of the last two seasons after spending his rookie season on a two-way deal with the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p id="dJTfYB">“Just to see a little bit of the things that I missed out on last year and a lot of this year was just a refreshing experience,” Cooper said. “It just made me want to be there even more.”</p>
<p id="EkmOma">The brief time up with the Cavs reinforced to him that he still has the game to be one of the 540 NBA players.</p>
<p id="bNXCgx">“I feel like it gives you confidence just because of that recognition,” Cooper said. “The fact that you were rewarded for your work, I feel like that’s a boost. Whether you know it or not, I feel like it’s something that affects your consciousness and gives you that extra confidence.”</p>
<p id="5HfxlQ">The goal to get back to the league has been <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/2023/2/27/23605819/sharife-cooper-cleveland-charge-interview">on his mind for the past two years</a>. The week and a half with the Cavs just rekindled that desire, but he knows he can only do that by controlling what he can control. His attention needs to remain on just the next game as he showed with his performance Saturday.</p>
<p id="dbht4i">“I love to play,” Cooper said. “[The attention isn’t just on] ‘how do I get back?’ It’s just focusing on the moment. Whenever I do get a chance, I know I’ll be 100 percent ready.”</p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/17/24103121/sharife-cooper-10-day-contract-with-cleveland-cavaliers-made-him-want-to-be-there-even-moreJackson Flickinger2024-03-16T19:40:13-05:002024-03-16T19:40:13-05:00Mitchell says he’s ‘probably’ not playing on Monday
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<figcaption>Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mitchell just returned from a knee injury.</p> <p id="cCvSMB">Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell just returned from a knee injury and a seven-game absence that required an injection. And it sounds like he might be headed back to the sideline, at least for a game. </p>
<p id="7jd6DM">Per Bally Sports’ Serena Winters, Mitchell said “I’m probably not playing next game to be completely honest with you” after the Cavaliers’ loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Cavs’ next game is on Monday on the road against the Indiana Pacers. That game completes a three-game road trip. </p>
<p id="KFfowx">Full quote below, via Winters: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donovan Mitchell talking about his knee post-game, says he probably won't play against Indiana.<br><br>Donovan had a PRP injection on March 4th to treat a left knee bone bruise (missed 7 total games), before returning 2 games ago. <a href="https://t.co/r0Z5QgbscD">pic.twitter.com/r0Z5QgbscD</a></p>— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) <a href="https://twitter.com/SerenaWinters/status/1769149575200161947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="5pff3p">Mitchell had his PRP injection on March 7 to treat a bone bruise. He returned this past Wednesday in the Cavaliers’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans and had 14 points on 5-16 shooting. Against Houston, he was 4-13 for 13 points. In neither game did Mitchell look like himself or anything close to the player he was pre-injury. </p>
<p id="eLFVeU">This, obviously, is a real concern for the Cavs. Mitchell is their best player. He is their offensive engine. If he’s not healthy — plus Max Strus and Evan Mobley are on the sidelines with their injuries — this team is not nearly as good. And with the playoffs about a month away, is Mitchell going to be right when the games matter most? Will the Cavs be able to hold onto a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference if Mitchell misses another stretch? </p>
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https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/16/24103503/cleveland-cavaliers-donovan-mitchell-injury-updateChris Manning2024-03-16T18:24:14-05:002024-03-16T18:24:14-05:00Cavaliers embarrassed by Rockets 117-103
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<figcaption>Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This one was over before it began. </p> <p id="NWwLwO">The <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> might have celebrated Tristan Thompson’s birthday too hard the night before this one. It’s that or something else that took away all of their juice.</p>
<p id="Vsbkoo">They fell flat on their face against the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">Houston Rockets</a>. Let’s recap what happened:</p>
<h3 id="8ICUDQ"><em><strong>Coming up short</strong></em></h3>
<p id="3BjVDm">There isn’t much good to write about. The Cavs were blitzed from the jump, giving up 70 points in the first half and falling behind by 20+ points early in the third quarter. </p>
<p id="dyU5X9">Little resistance was offered on the perimeter or the interior. Houston buried 15 three-pointers and outscored Cleveland 56-46 in the paint. </p>
<p id="catqTj">Fred VanVleet absolutely picked the defense apart. He dished 11 assists in the first half and finished with 15 on the night. Jalen Green and Jabari Smith combined for 46 points while Amen Thompson scored 18 points, just four shy of matching a career-high. </p>
<p id="Rj3UVZ">For Cleveland, only Caris LeVert deserves a mention. He was one of the only Cavaliers who looked like they cared tonight, scoring a team-high 21 points off of the bench. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen put together just 35 points between the three of them. </p>
<h3 id="kYiEIf"><em><strong>Well, that happened... </strong></em></h3>
<p id="hrkkJA">Thompson didn’t do much in his first game back from a 25-game suspension. But still, it was nice to see Thompson return to the floor. It didn’t take long for him to secure an extra Cavalier possession — even if it didn’t amount to anything. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tristan Thompson entered the game 20 seconds ago<br><br>Tristan Thompson has grabbed an offensive rebound</p>— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tony_Pesta/status/1769113300204130512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<h3 id="sob4u6"><em><strong>Big Picture</strong></em></h3>
<p id="lnadFL">A loss like this feels inexcusable at this stage of the season. With the playoffs looming, Cleveland should be taking every opportunity to get themselves ready. An embarrassing loss to a team that is below .500 isn’t exactly the way to tell everyone that you are serious about competing in the playoffs. </p>
<p id="ttaC3i">Nonetheless, a regular season loss can only mean so much. The Cavs remain in close competition for the second seed of the Eastern Conference. Though, at this rate, Milwaukee is going to take it from them. </p>
<p id="mMlxW2">You’d have to hope that this loss will spark a fire under the Cavaliers. Because once the postseason begins, they are going to need it. </p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/16/24103284/final-score-cleveland-cavaliers-embarrassed-by-houston-rockets-117-103Tony Pesta2024-03-16T16:09:01-05:002024-03-16T16:09:01-05:00Cavaliers at Rockets gamethread
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<figcaption>Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Can Cleveland make it two in a row on the road?</p> <blockquote>
<p id="tV3u4k">What: Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets</p>
<p id="N4vFIa">When: 5:00 p.m. EST</p>
<p id="Ch1NzQ">Where: Toyota Center - Houston, Texas</p>
<p id="LUFzfp">Line: CLE -4.5</p>
<p id="hyZ2rJ">Expected Cavaliers Starting Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen</p>
<p id="fVCtbZ">Cavaliers Injury Report: Max Strus (ankle, OUT), Evan Mobley (ankle, OUT), Ty Jerome (ankle, OUT), Emoni Bates (G League, OUT), Pete Nance (G League, OUT), Isaiah Mobley (G League, OUT)</p>
<p id="btEWyk">Expected Rockets Starting Lineup: Fred Van Vleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith</p>
<p id="FhporB">Rockets Injury Report: Alperen Sengun (ankle/knee, OUT), Cam Whitmore (knee sprain, OUT), Steven Adams (knee, OUT), Tari Eason (leg, OUT), Nate Hinton (G League, OUT), Jermaine Samuels Jr. (G League, OUT)</p>
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https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/16/24103374/cleveland-cavaliers-at-houston-rockets-gamethreadChris Manning2024-03-16T11:30:24-05:002024-03-16T11:30:24-05:00What to watch for in Cavaliers at Rockets
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<figcaption>David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cavs will look to halt Houston’s four-game winning streak. </p> <p id="QzJZyD">The Cleveland Cavaliers (42-24) will stay in the South and take on the Houston Rockets (31-35). In their last meeting, a 135-130 overtime thriller in Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell dropped 37 points to lead the Cavs to victory. </p>
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<p id="tV3u4k">What: Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets</p>
<p id="N4vFIa">When: 5:00 p.m. EST</p>
<p id="Ch1NzQ">Where: Toyota Center - Houston, Texas</p>
<p id="LUFzfp">Line: CLE -4.5</p>
<p id="hyZ2rJ">Expected Cavaliers Starting Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen</p>
<p id="fVCtbZ">Cavaliers Injury Report: Max Strus (ankle, OUT), Evan Mobley (ankle, OUT), Ty Jerome (ankle, OUT), Emoni Bates (G League, OUT), Pete Nance (G League, OUT), Isaiah Mobley (G League, OUT)</p>
<p id="btEWyk">Expected Rockets Starting Lineup: Fred Van Vleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith</p>
<p id="FhporB">Rockets Injury Report: Alperen Sengun (ankle/knee, OUT), Cam Whitmore (knee sprain, OUT), Steven Adams (knee, OUT), Tari Eason (leg, OUT), Nate Hinton (G League, OUT), Jermaine Samuels Jr. (G League, OUT)</p>
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<h3 id="S9XmVE"><strong>What to watch for: paint defense</strong></h3>
<p id="r8Ea1b">The Rockets are a middle-of-the-road team in three-point attempts per game (16th) and near the bottom in three-point makes per game (26th). But a big part of Houston's offense this season has been Alperen Sengun, who suffered a severe ankle and knee injury just a few games ago and will likely miss the rest of the season. That means the Rockets will be relying on some of their young prospects to pick up that slack, which the Cavs should be able to exploit. </p>
<p id="2p3q8C">In Houston’s last game against Washington, they ran out rookie Amen Thompson at power forward and second-year Jabari Smith Jr. at center. That may have worked against the similarly-sized Wizards (who countered with Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma at the four and the five respectively), but the Cavs should have a size advantage down low. Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade provide a blend of perimeter and interior defense while being able to scoop up rebounds. Tristan Thompson is eligible off the bench as well, which could be useful. </p>
<p id="a8zd0R">The Cavs could get cleaner looks at the rim as well, led by Mitchell and Darius Garland weaving their way through the lane. Thompson and Smith are more nimble than the average big, but the Cavs will have avenues to punish their smaller size.</p>
<h3 id="dBCqpe"><strong>One stat to watch for: three-point shooting</strong></h3>
<p id="uTjg1X">The Rockets allow their opponents to get up three-point looks, but they've been successful in not permitting a high make percentage. Opponents are shooting 34.9% from deep when facing Houston, the best in the league <a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/team/11/team#tab-shooting_defense_accuracy">per Cleaning the Glass</a>. Meanwhile, the Cavs are coming off a game in which they eviscerated the New Orleans Pelicans from deep (20/45, or 44%). Cleveland will get their shots up, but the small-ball Rockets may be better equipped to close out faster on shooters. </p>
<p id="Bts03g">On the flip side, the Rockets are not as good of a three-point shooting team. In fact, they take the fifth-most shots at the rim (though they have the fourth-worst efficiency at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass). Against the Wizards, the Rockets scored a little more than half of their points at the rim utilizing the small-ball lineup. It will be interesting to see how they adjust against a team like the Cavs with a more stout rim protector in Allen.</p>
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https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/16/24103041/what-to-watch-cleveland-cavaliershouston-rocketsMike Anguilano2024-03-15T22:23:07-05:002024-03-15T22:23:07-05:00Marcus Morris intends to sign with Cleveland, according to Patrick Beverley
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<figcaption>Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Morris, a long-time NBA veteran, recently agreed to a buyout with the Spurs. </p> <p id="SRfMWD">It sounds like the Cleveland Cavaliers will be getting a veteran reinforcement. </p>
<p id="i75Bea">According to a tweet sent out from the official account of Patrick Beverly’s podcast tweeted that Marcus Morris Sr. plans to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Marcus Morris Sr. Is planning to sign with the Cleveland Cavs - Per Sources <a href="https://t.co/5NtNBnD0lY">pic.twitter.com/5NtNBnD0lY</a></p>— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatBevPod/status/1768782038633414976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="MvIGJB">Beverley, who played with Morris with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this year, tweeted it as well from his account: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happy for you gang. See u down the road. <a href="https://twitter.com/PatBevPod?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatBevPod</a> <a href="https://t.co/a73fvaTmhN">https://t.co/a73fvaTmhN</a></p>— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) <a href="https://twitter.com/patbev21/status/1768782708098912725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<p id="0ZiLm3">As of now. the usual insiders — ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, The Athletic’s Shams Charania, cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, etc. — haven’t tweeted about this deal. Morris himself also has not posted about this to any of his social media channels. The Cavs themselves also haven’t announced anything either. But is Beverley, a former teammate and friend and Morris’ is tweeting it, then it seems like it’s happening. And the Cavs do have an open roster spot. </p>
<p id="azVGMf">Morris, 34, has been in the NBA since 2011. He’s played for the 76ers, the Houston Rockets, the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers, the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. His twin brother, Markieff, has also been in the league since 2011 and currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks. </p>
<p id="lEenpx">Morris became a free agent after he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal at the trade deadline and <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10111200-nba-rumors-marcus-morris-spurs-agree-to-contract-buyout-after-3-team-trade">agreed to a buyout.</a> He has career averages of 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. With the 76ers this season, he appeared in 37 games and averaged 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Based on when he was bought out, he is playoff eligible. </p>
<p id="V3zktG">More on Morris in the coming days as this situation develops. </p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/15/24102557/nba-free-agency-rumors-marcus-morris-cleveland-cavaliersChris Manning2024-03-15T06:00:00-05:002024-03-15T06:00:00-05:00Garland is gradually adapting his game
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<p>Garland has made positive changes to his on-court process. </p> <p id="Z1rWkp">Winning in the NBA requires sacrifice. Even more so for the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> — who run a Frankenstein starting lineup of overlapping talents such as Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. The two backcourt running mates have found success together but taking things to the next level requires individual sacrifices that both players have slowly been making. </p>
<p id="d34v6I">In Mitchell’s case, letting go of his hero-mentality and growing as a playmaker was necessary. He couldn’t just be a high-volume gunslinger next to Garland. Mitchell had to find a way to open the floor with his passing and a career-high in assists this season has shown that progression</p>
<p id="KG3J3h">As for Garland, two separate changes needed to be made. First, Garland had to accept fewer touches to make room for his new running mate. This has happened, with Garland’s on-ball touches down by more than 10 per game since the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/touches?CF=PLAYER_NAME*E*garland&Season=2021-22">2021-22 season</a>. Garland has managed to decrease his touches even more this season than compared to his <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/touches?CF=PLAYER_NAME*E*garland&Season=2022-23">first </a>with Mitchell (down by 4.1 per game). </p>
<p id="swcqT1">Playing without the ball is not easy for a player who has spent his entire career dominating the game as a floor general. While this hasn’t been a seamless transition, Garland is gradually finding ways to be effective. More than <a href="https://twitter.com/Tony_Pesta/status/1768352591119872429">45% of his field goals</a> have been assisted this season, marking a career-high and nearly 10% more than the year before. </p>
<p id="GayU4H">In addition to playing more off-ball, Garland has had to adjust his playmaking style. He has always favored interior passing rather than spraying it out to the perimeter. But Garland has had to adapt to Cleveland’s newfound emphasis on three-point shooting. </p>
<p id="VdJEBe">This season, three-point shots have accounted for 35% of Garland’s assists. Compare this to last year (25.6%) or the year before (30.7%) and a positive trend emerges. The Cavaliers are attempting the 8th most three-pointers in the NBA and Garland is doing his best to contribute to this uptick. </p>
<p id="91Zq0c">Generating three-point shots is more difficult for a player like Garland, who lacks elite athleticism or the ability to apply pressure on the rim. Compare this to Mitchell, who gets to the rim in his sleep and generates 45% of his assists on three-point field goals. Again, that ability to drive and kick has been a key component to Mitchell’s growth as a playmaker. </p>
<p id="fiM9Xl">Garland has been far from perfect. He struggled heavily during the early stages of the season with the second-worst assist-to-turnover ratio of his career. Even now, his physical limitations put a ceiling on what passes he can and can’t make to the perimeter. </p>
<p id="PzB9ci">But a recent 27-point, 11-assist performance against the New Orleans Pelicans showed the culmination of Garland’s development. This was vintage DG — only it happened within the construct of Cleveland’s new style. The Cavaliers attempted 45 three-pointers against the Pelicans, 22 of which were generated directly by Garland. </p>
<p id="uXmdMK">The Cavs rely on Darius and Donovan to lead the charge offensively. If Mitchell is making unselfish decisions with the ball and Garland is appropriately controlling their shot diet, then the Cavaliers will be a scary team to face in the playoffs. </p>
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/3/15/24100333/cleveland-cavaliers-darius-garland-is-gradually-adapting-his-gameTony Pesta