Review: Koby Altman Press Conference (or, Reading the Tea Leaves)
2022-04-20The Cavs’ President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman talked for nearly an hour to selected media about the 2021-22 season as well as an initial outline of the off-season. Here’s a running diary of his statements as well as initial reactions…
What stood out?
Altman was asked about what stood out about the season, and he answered that the Cavs were “fun to watch.” While it’s a bit peculiar to say, he’s right on the money. When the Cavs played at their best, they played a FUN brand of basketball. A bunch of seven footers doing skillful things, an unselfish point guard who can cook with the best hoopers in the world, competitive dawgs who get after it night after night, the Cavs are must-see TV when they’re locked in. The word is out about the Cavs around NBA fans and media, and it’s a credit to the season they had as a team.
On Caris and Collin…
Obviously right out of the gate, people wanted to know about how the organization will approach contract talks with Collin Sexton and Caris LeVert this offseason. Both are extension eligible, with Sexton becoming a restricted free agent this off-season and LeVert becoming an unrestricted free agent next off-season. What stood out about Koby’s comments about Sexton and LeVert was the fact that both players are interested in making Cleveland home. Their desire to be in Cleveland and be a part of the team is a feather in both of their caps in Koby’s eyes because Cleveland will never be a “salary cap” team (in other words, not a free agent destination). At the very least, it’s clear that he sees both as part of next season’s equation.
On Trades…
When discussing trades, it appear that while Altman said the politically correct thing that they’re always “canvassing the league,” he also said that the Cavs don’t want to “disrupt the core.” In tandem with Altman’s Sexton and LeVert comments, it seems far-fetched that there would be any massive trade action on the Cavs’ part unless something blew Altman away. He seemed much more inclined to “let it cook” and build more chemistry before taking any drastic measures.
On Evan Mobley…
Koby had some great tidbits about Evan Mobley’s season. First of all, Mobley’s family support was a constant throughout the season. He mentioned that Mobley’s mom was at every game other than NCAA tournament season for his brother Isaiah. Another interesting tidbit was the report that Mobley couldn’t keep weight on throughout the season, due to the minutes. The plan will be how to develop his strength in the offseason. Koby also mentioned that the Cavs got great buy-in from Mobley into the organization while in Summer League because of the team’s support. He cited all of the players out there to support Mobley in his Summer League stint. Lastly, Koby said that the reason they were confident with starting Mobley at the power forward position instead of center was because he normally played with another big growing up in high school and college.
On the draft…
What is Koby looking for in the draft? “Shooting,” was the answer, which is no surprise given how poor the team’s spot up shooting was this season. It was interesting that he didn’t want to commit to a position he was looking for, when clearly there’s a need for point guards given what transpired this season.
On Isaac Okoro…
Koby said it’s “on us” to unlock Isaac Okoro’s offense. It can be inferred from Koby’s comments about Caris and Collin that Okoro will also be seeing more time on ball to alleviate Darius Garland’ burden. Stay tuned on this front.
Expectations next season
Altman didn’t want to declare any expectations before having a team meeting before training camp. But it’s clear that the late season collapse is on the forefront of the organization’s minds. They know they screwed up and lost some games they should’ve won. They only needed two more wins to grab the sixth seed. When Koby asked each player what their vacation plans were, they all said “I don’t know.” He took that as a great sign that the guys are locked in this off-season for next season.
On Ricky Rubio and the offense…
The last two comments Altman made were about Ricky Rubio’s importance, especially to the offense. First Koby said Rubio’s leadership is what really keyed the season forward. Also, it was Rubio’s presence on the second unit that really gave the Cavs’ offense juice. Altman said that personnel is more important than scheme when trying to find answers for better offensive performance. The comments really just reinforced the notion about how the Cavs desperately need to solve the point guard issue behind DG. They need to find another Rubio, then they need to find another.
post up!
Unbelievable 4th quarter for the Grizz…outplayed most of the game, then drop the nukes…
Clarke probably the Grizz MVP tonight…
Wow….that 3 was a statement.
Not one of Morant’s best nights…he’s been making a lot of negative plays…
He looks gassed
Ja turning it over tonight like he’s Durant…
The runs in this game are crazy…
This game is nuts!!!
ARod looking pretty doughy.
It’s hard for to believe how badly these Grizz are playing the Twolves. Twolves have some guys, and can be dangerous, but the Grizz look helpless on defense, are turning it over a lot in careless fashion, and are pretty hapless trying to score. Wtf happened to these guys?
They were playing great when Morant was injured. Weird.
Based on Altman’s comments:
Tier 1: Inner Core: DG, Mobley, Allen.
Tier 2: Outer Core: YB, Okoro, LeVert, Big Finnish.
Tier 3: Veteran/Mantle: Love
Tier 4: Fringe Rotation/Crust: Cedi, Stevens, Wade
Tier 5: Not on solid ground/Atmosphere: Windler, Brown, Goodwin, Rondo.
sounds right. not sure what to do with Cedi.
We should try to ink Rubio in FA. Full MLE. I do not care if he misses the first half of the year.
with you on that
Bucks losing Middleton. Suns down Booker. Luka has not played yet. This thing is wide open.
I’d take the Dubs out West and Heat (or Celtics) in the East.
Gee, who’d have thunk that Flat Earth & Sock Puppet lacked a bit of intestinal, mental, & emotional fortitude?
They are both otherworldly offensive talents. But if those two are the foundational pieces of your organization, leadership-wise, you are not gonna win squat. Just my opinion.
1-17 in the second half combined. KD without a 2nd half bucket in the series.
wow!
Hey MikeO, did you catch Crowder pooping the bed yesterday?
I did. One has to admire Crowder in a way…he has conned multiple front offices into believing he’s an NBA player. Altman was dumb for trading for him, but at least he realized his mistake pretty quickly.
I have to believe that trade was 100% Dan Gilbert.
He was hell-bent on not getting Lebron’d again. Unfortunately for us, he got Ainged.
that is all on the flat earther for pulling that surprise. the Cavs had to do something fast, and after everyone good was already taken.
anyway, it was fun thinking of Crowder in a panic about having to be with JR every day.
LET MOBES SPEND A SUMMER AT THE NOMADS RESIDENCE—- BETWEEN THE MRS NOMADS HOME COOKING AND ………” MORE BEER PLEASE ” HE WILL PUT ON THE MUCH NEEDED WEIGHT WITH THE ADDED MUSCLE AS WE WILL HAVE HIM THROWING “STRAW BALES ” AROUND ON THE FARM !!!! :-)
WOW SWEETCHI—-GOOD REPORTING—–IN FAIRNESS—-WINDLER HAS BEEN INJURED// UNDER USED —BUT DUBS HAVE AN EYE FOR TALEN TAND KNOW HOW TO DEVELOP THAT TALENT ——GUESS THE SO CALLED “SAVING GRACES” WE PICKED UP STEVENS// WADE
Talking about shooting.. ended up looking at the 2019 draft and saw we drafted Dylan Windler at 26 and Jordan Poole got drafted at 28 by GSW… what if !
great point Sweetchi! 100% agree, take hoopers over just shooters.
Hoopers > Shooters
golden state >>>> cle re organizational intelligence
We have 2 2nds before GSW the year they got Draymond. We could have taken Klay instead of TT.
that would have been considered an extreme reach at the time.
So…there’s a good chance Dylan Windler looks like Kyle Korver at the end of this year if he were drafted by them, and Jordan Poole might be just another under-developed player we are all asking why JB continues to DNP. Context makes a huge difference in development.
So very true.. and that’s the other key we need, great development staff if we are going to continue building our team via the draft.. since in Koby’s eyes because Cleveland will never be a “salary cap” team (in other words, not a free agent destination).
Impossible to know, but I personally don’t have much doubt that if Windler had been drafted by the Warriors he would be a better player and a better contributor than he is now, injuries and all.
CLF making good on that Celtics sweep prediction!!
LETS F******** GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
kyrie.. 4-13.. so sweet.. i love when little bitches wet their undies in public.. rooting for the celtics against that abomination of a team is an easy one.. give those boston homies from southie a double barrel on the way out of the gahhden ky
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Durant is throwing this game.
My disdain for KD and fasting flat earth Kyrie is so great I’m finding myself rooting for the Celtics and kind of vomiting in my mouth from time to time.
I can only watch and take enjoyment from seeing one team is losing while simultaneously being annoyed that the other team is winning. It’s a real mindf**k as a Cavs fan.
You may be used to this if you are a Browns fan. The Steelers/Ravens games are a twice-annual exercise in what you are experiencing this series.
I can’t do it. My hatred for the Celtics and their Nth level douchebag fans makes it impossible.
Great summation CLF! Thanks for saving me an hour of watching Altman on YouTube. I did watch enough to get the impression that sexton and LeVert aren’t going anywhere, at least not before the start of the season. As much as I have my doubts about Sexton’s compatibility with Garland, and it’s emphatically Garland’s team now, Sexton’s work ethic is to admired and he definitely has the dawg in him. Hope he can accept a sixth man role.
Good stuff Chris, MikeO, and Leo!
Interesting fact that Mobley “can’t keep weight on”. He might not be able to until he is a lot older, and even then it might make him slower.
I have always thought he should be playing forward, especially because we have Allen.
he played a shit ton of minutes, probably could be cut a couple minutes at least per game.
Good stuff, Chris. I thought it was interesting that Fedor in a recent article said that a source told him a Rubio signing was ‘highly likely’. Whatever he can do on the court when he’s ready, he’s an almost ideal ‘culture setter’ for this team. One interesting thing from earlier in the season — apparently Love is pretty close with Garland’s parents (and also with DG)…one doesn’t always see these relationships in pro sports. Those were illuminating comments on Mobley. Assuming they keep the draft pick, they absolutely need to look for either three point shooting, or a length/ playmaking… Read more »
post Rubio article/screenshot if you got it, heard nothing on that front.
“They have three roster spots to fill. One is earmarked for a backup point guard. Sources maintain Rubio and the Cavs are interested in running it back. A source called Rubio re-signing in Cleveland “highly likely.”
from the article at https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2022/04/cleveland-cavaliers-reflect-on-remarkable-year-prepare-to-take-next-step-and-prove-season-wasnt-a-fluke.html
THANK YOU! very interesting…. could easily see next year’s PG depth chart:
I’d take it.
absolutely salivating at those options Over DG – Rondo – Goodwin – Pangos.
I wouldnt be surprised if the Cavs kept Sexton and Levert even though I originally thought they would get rid of one of them. Again maybe that happens, but I think the Cavs brass loves Sexton and I also think they want more time with Levert. With that said, I still believe guys like Cedi and Windler will be gone as Cavs will replace them with either FA or draft. Actually agree with Koby on team needing shooters. He was also rather mum on coaching other than saying JB has built a good culture which is nice but I am… Read more »
According to Chris Fedor’s podcast, Cedi is the most likely gone. Didn’t hear anything about Windler.
Also, Koby said JB got ripped off of Coach of the Year votes, end of season collapse hurt his campaign.
love a front office who supports the coach on a young team.
Hate that the same front office is likely to be in the position next offseason of putting him on the hot seat. Hope i’m wrong.