NFL
By: Mark Wilson
The Donavon Mitchell trade was the big headline for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. However, even without that big deal, the Cavs were still sitting on solid ground. And while the backcourt is grabbing all the headlines, it’s the frontcourt that will determine just how far the Cavs go this coming season.
Darius Garland and Mitchell will come in as one of the best backcourts in the NBA for the 2022-23 NBA season. But that frontcourt of Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Cedi Osman will set the tempo.
Just think back to last season. Mobley, in just his rookie year, averaged 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. But not to be undone was Allen who put up 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds. And off the bench was the veteran Love with 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in just 22.5 minutes of action. While they provided the heavy lifting, the other role players on the frontline did the small things that helped the Cavs reach the Play-In Tournament. Osman proved some good perimeter shooting where he hit .357 percent from deep. Wade also connected from deep at .359 percent, and Okoro is the defense ace of the bunch.
In an era where scoring and three-point shooting ranks high, the Cavaliers are among the few teams who can hurt you from anywhere on the floor. But there are still holes. The frontcourt must get better on the defensive end of the floor. Love, for all his scoring, is a terrible defender. Mobley is still learning what he can and can’t do on the floor, and as for Allen, even with him averaging 1.3 blocks per game last season, he must improve in keeping his man in front of him.
Can the Cavaliers Count On Their Bigs
For the 2021-22 season, the Cavaliers, even with their size, ranked 24th in blocks, 26th in steals, and 15th in rebounds. What about the paint play? There is no way to explain how a team with such a good inside presence managed to finish the season ranked 11th in assists. To add more injury to insult is that the Cavs ranked 15th in 2-pointers made, 12th in FT attempted, and 25th in total points.
What that shows is that the frontcourt was not being used properly. Love is now a full-blown perimeter player. Mobley averaged 12 FGA per game but reached the line 3.7 times per game. He must find a way to get more aggressive in the paint. Allen, with his size, averaged just 4.2 FTs per game. Their bigs must find ways to get opponents in foul trouble.
It’s also up to the backcourt to get these players in their proper positions. The perimeter play is the norm for the NBA but a team like the Cavs should be able to take full advantage of the height they have in the low post. With Mitchell onboard, that may become a problem. As great defensively as Rudy Gobert was, Mitchell was reluctant to pass the ball inside.
The Boston Celtics refusal to focus on the mismatches is one of the main reasons the Golden State Warriors walked away as champions. Not every team has a Joel Embidd, but the Cavaliers have players who can get the job done. It’s just a matter of preaching it at Training Camp and practice.
Across the Eastern Conference, how many teams can go toe-to-two with the bigs for the Cavaliers? The 76ers are one. The Heat a thin up front, and the Celtics, when used correctly have a chance. Other than those teams, who else can match up with them on a nightly basis?
It will all come down to coaching. Will J.B. Bickerstaff do what needs to be done or will he like everyone else grab a camera and watch as Garland and Mitchell jack up shot after shot?
To be honest, there is no clear-cut favorite in the East. Each team has a legit chance to make a Finals run and there is no reason to believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be there at the end if they play team ball and use everyone on the floor.
