From Distance: D.J. Shines, Cedi Signs

four point play….

1. The Cavaliers’ season opener is likely to be a rather common occurrence. The team displayed a modicum of competency before leaning into the defensive atrocity that is Jordan Clarkson, and the toddler-aged starting backcourt.

The Cavs had some decent stops with solid positional rotation. They promptly mitigated that level of decency by inserting Jordan Clarkson’s horrific defensive mind, and allowing rookie, Darius Garland to get cooked by veteran D.J. Augustin.

I actually think that Garland has a chance of becoming an adequate, albeit below-average defender. His natural feel for the game gives me hope that he will learn how to defensively read pick and roll action. It would be nice were Garland not to end up chasing on the high-side of PnR play.

Unfortunately, that is how he spent the entirety of his defensive life in game one. D.J. Augustin consistently got Garland to chase too slowly around the pick before putting his backside into the youth. Augustin would simply not let Garland back into the play once he established inside position.

2. Let’s take a moment to praise D.J. Augustin. The diminutive lead guard has consistently been deemed only an adequate backup point guard throughout his now long career. Seemingly every season guys like Elfrid Payton started over him, only for the team to fall off an offensive cliff anytime D.J. wasn’t running the show.

Yes, Augustin is undersized, and will occasionally be a detriment to any team’s defensive scheme. If the Magic go deep into the Playoffs, it is likely that every opponent will attempt to take advantage of Augustine’s size. He simply has an low defensive ceiling.

Still, what has not been properly appreciated is his absolutely wizardry in PnR play. As the league has changed around him, he is no longer just a fill-in point guard. That NBA PnR small-ball era has allowed him to flourish in the same way that J.J. Barea (an absolute genius in PnR) has flourished in the modern game.

Augustin doesn’t hoist from three with quite as much enthusiasm as his shooting numbers would suggest, but any defense (other than the Cavs) knows that he will make them pay from going under a pick. It has been impressive to see how he has steadily improved over the years on both ends.

Augustin isn’t an All-Star, and will always have limitations, but he his better than his reputation. It will be interesting to see how long before Fultz supplants him in the starting lineup, only for the Magic’s offense to fall off said cliff.

3. Considering all off that, it was a tough game one assignment for Darius Garland. I suspect that he will have more success against lesser masters. He couldn’t do any worse anyway.

I have more confidence in Garland’s potential as a defender than Sexton’s. It seems strange until you realize that neither is particularly large, though Sexton does have the better wingspan.

Perhaps my confidence comes only from what he doesn’t do on defense now, and what he does do on offense. Darius doesn’t hop around unnecessarily like Sexton is wont to do. Garland keeps his feet on the ground, and is simply too upright and hesitant in his on-ball D.

Considering his feel on offense, I can at least imagine a scenario in which he reads the opponents angles well enough to be disruptive. A guy can dream.

With Clarkson, things are simply hopeless. Jordan is a shining beacon of light to the Tanking Gods. Those looking to lose close games by serving up layups to the opposition need only worship at the altar of Clarkson. We rightfully criticize Jordan’s offensive chuck-it-up attitude.

What really kills any team he plays for is his defense consistency. As in, he consistently works on the wrong side of his opponent. I’ve rarely seen a guy so frequently leaning the wrong direction on the defensive end. He is truly an anti-talent.

Though his numbers sometimes say otherwise, Cedi Osman is not a poor defender. The Cavs came to an agreement with Osman on a four-year extension worth 30.8 million. It is a good deal for both sides, and potentially a steal for the Cavs if Cedi can use this financial security to cure his inconsistent play.

Osman has stretches where his potential and production match up in a fist pumping inducing manner. He also has stretches that make me wonder how it is that he has ever had any success at the international level.

It’s not just that he misses open threes terribly, or that he he turns the ball over. It’s that he seems to always do those things in a row. He’ll make a bad gamble on the defense end, follow that up with a “get it back three”, and wrap it up with a wild spinning turnover into traffic. It’s the Cedi special.

Cedi, you’re better than that.

I hope this potentially undervalue contract brings out the best in the young man. Regardless, the Cavs retain an asset for an acceptable price. Even if Cedi doesn’t drastically improve, his contract is about in line with his play.

4. The big surprise of the full first night of NBA action was how soundly the Suns pounded the Kings. I hadn’t really thought much about the Suns before the start of the season. I knew whom they picked up, but I didn’t really analyze the roster construction until watching their first game.

That is a surprisingly balanced starting unit. Just looking at the actual roster without thinking “Suns” indicates that they would be a Good, Bad Team in the crazy West. Of course, being the Suns, they got to enjoy that victory for all of one day before DeAndre Ayton was suspended for 25 games for violating the substance policy.

I guess he had some mad constipation? Let us hope that is the reason why he was taking a diuretic. I would be surprised if the initial 25 game suspension is upheld. I imagine it will be knocked down to 15 or so considering his age and history.

In any case, pairing Ayton with Dario Saric creates beautiful frontcourt combination. Saric has a lovely mix of skill and strength. His rugged defensive rebounding is a wonderful compliment to his floor-stretching offensive game.

Acquiring Ricky Rubio allows Devin Booker to play where he more naturally suited. His development as a lead guard was ok, but pairing him with Rubio will free him to play his natural two guard position.

Rubio, Saric, and Kelly Oubre Jr. are all average to above average defenders as well. Ayton could end up being a monster on that end if he continues to learn the game. Booker has no more excuses at that end now that he is playing with real teammates.

Speaking of real teammates, how much fun would it be to play on the Clippers right now? Patrick Beverely and I have a very similar take on how to play basketball. He feels like my spirit animal. Then I realize that the dude is almost exactly my size, and my head explodes. What a beast. That is what it means to be mentally dominant.