Links to the Present: Press Conference Edition
2022-06-27Koby Altman and J.B. Bickerstaff were at the Cleveland Clinic Courts a couple of days ago to introduce first-round draft pick Ochai Agbaji, meet 39th overall pick Khalifa Diop and for the group to take some questions (including some in Spanish) from the press. This followed on from Koby Altman’s press availability just after the NBA Draft.
Chris Fedor has a new pod which is likely worth consulting.
Wine and Gold Talk Podcast with @H_Grove: Recapping #Cavs draft strategy, what kinds of expectations should be placed on Ochai Agbaji and Collin Sexton’s bad night. https://t.co/e3xFXhQehZ
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) June 27, 2022
Cavs the Blog Twitter maven Elijah Kim has this summary:
Fedor’s pod tonight seems like the Cavs are committed to running it back with Rubio and using the last NBA contract spot for a backup center (Isaiah Mobley likely to be two-way) baring some unforeseen trade.
— Cavs:TheBlog (@CavsTheTweets) June 27, 2022
There is obviously a whole lot to discuss about how the team evolves over the next few weeks, as seen in the exploding CtB posts on the draft analysis from Chris Francis, podcasts orchestrated by Nate Smith, and the thread on the NBA Draft.
Musical Chairs in Charlotte
By way of an extended contrast to Cleveland, let’s look elsewhere in the Eastern Conference. As ever, there is a massive amount of ground to cover and the terrain never quite settles. Detroit in particular is going to merit discussion downstream. But let’s look southeast at a competitor franchise.
Charlotte is newly-equipped (or perhaps “re-treaded” would be a more appropriate verb) with a head coach. Michael Jordan’s franchise managed to bring back Steve Clifford as head coach, a move made just in time for Clifford to have have no visible feedback on the Hornets’ draft prospects.
Like Cleveland, Charlotte crashed out of last year’s Play In Tournament (PIT) via a loss to the Atlanta Hawks and did not make the playoffs. A good piece on the hiring from James Plowright includes some anonymous quotes from “people around the team” who mirror the Hornets podcasting orbit in that they are surprised that Clifford was hired, given the young character of the team and Clifford’s reputation for not being a developmental coach. No announcements have yet been made about his bench of assistant coaches and one of Plowright’s sources assumes that the team will largely keep Barrego’s coaching staff intact.
No credible information has emerged about why Mike D’Antoni wasn’t hired, but it might be some combination of his reputation of neglecting defense along with Michael Jordan’s desire not to overpay a coach. Barrego’s contract is presumably still on the books, since the Hornets haven’t yet hit the one-year anniversary of his multi-year contract extension.
Here are some quotes from and notes on Hornets G.M. Mitch Kupchak’s fifteen minutes of media availability after the NBA Draft:
- “If I had to guess — I would guess that we wouldn’t be terribly active, you know, pursuing free agents other than our own…I don’t see us going into free agency and making a big splash, OK?”
- “You can only deal with what transpires during the market; even if you want more, if it’s not there, it’s not there.”
- “We brought [University of Nebraska forward Bryce] McGowan in, he’s going to be a two-way; I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to say that.” Kupchak then got his age wrong (McGowan is 19; Kupchak said he was 20.)
- Listening to Kupchak is downright painful; he sounds and looks like he desperately needed a Red Bull or a very long vacation.
- “Adding another young player, there were a lot of contingency deals [during the NBA Draft], deals on the clock, and we had a couple that maybe could have been better, but it’s pretty hectic, and you’ve got to take what’s there, right?”
- On the Hornets having no head coach during the NBA Draft, Kupchak spun out a circular answer that was almost Buddhist in its sense of total detachment: “I have had some drafts where the coaches did not even want to be in the building…I would never have a coach and not at least listen to his opinion, [but] I would never let a coach get intimately involved in the draft…I’m not even sure they watch a college game on TV…so they are welcome to be around…but if they don’t want to be in the building, that’s fine too…it didn’t really matter that we didn’t have a coach in the building.”
- Kupchak then tried not to sell Gordon Hayward (“a key, one of our best players”) as a lock for actually staying on the court. Pity the Hornets marketing team!
"I think their upside is incredible."
GM Mitch Kupchak (and @SamFarberLive) introduce the newest @hornets draft picks to Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/1wkxMzywsQ
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) June 24, 2022
Watching these developments from his far more secure office on Brecksville Road, Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has views on the whole fiasco in North Carolina but isn’t going to share them publicly. More likely he’s mulling the tape from last year, when Charlotte was a peer franchise with the Cavs, producing some entertaining games in their 2-2 split. These games included a truly bizarre and nearly scandalous tilt which ended up with a last second rebound and heave by Kevin Love that resulted in the ultimate Sixth Man hitting a game-winning pair of free throws. We will see how the Cavs match up with the Hornets after free agency and the preseason concludes. We do know that the Shaker Heights class of 2012 standout shooting guard Terry Rozier will be donning a teal jersey in those matchups, as he remains on a lucrative four-year contract with Charlotte through the 2025-26 season.
Summer League
In the aftermath of the NBA Draft, Cavs fans can look forward to a flurry of expectation around free agency when that kicks off at 6 p.m. on June 30. Cavs fans can also look forward to four games — including two against Eastern Conference rivals — in the Summer League in Las Vegas. The player or coaching lists for Nevada are slowly emerging, but here is the schedule for the Cavs games in the desert:
- Friday July 8, 5 p.m. EST – vs. San Antonio
- Sunday July 10, 7 p.m. EST – vs. Denver
- Wednesday July 13, 5 p.m. EST – vs. Charlotte
- Thursday July 14, 5:30 p.m. EST – vs. Detroit
If he isn't an NBA rotation player, then I don't understand the game at all. Got hurt this year and ultimately it changed everything for them and him. Winner on and off court. https://t.co/GIxilUon2y
— david b. thorpe (@coachthorpe) June 25, 2022
In response to a question by Chris Fedor, J.B. Bickerstaff gave an extended answer which discussed the importance of Summer League for the Cavs, and it certainly sounded like Ochai Agbaji would be there. Go Cavs!
new post up!
Seems like a lot of noise for Monk to the Kings. He’s tight with Fox.
Yeah. I don’t think Cavs have the juice. I like Donte, Aaron Holiday, Muscala, and Josh Richardson.
Wish they could just swap Donte for LeVert.
Lotta chat about free trade options. Outside of the the discussion around Rubio and when he will be able to play (would work his way into rotation in 2nd half of season and OBVIOUSLY playoffs amirite, yes that sounds quite good), I say:
“Stick to the fundamentals kid, sometimes good things take time” – Lou Mannheim, 1987 Wall Street.
Miles Bridges…wow. People are real dumb.
He has a track record of being dumb.
the stress of being a basketball millionaire must be just overwhelming.. these poor little lost elementary school children just can’t help themselves sometimes.. throw his ass in prison.. if he is convicted, of course.. and yes, character matters..
how are we feeling about “sexvert” ? hold ’em or fold’em ? or split’em ?
I am thinking fold ’em. But in fairness, we should see a couple more cards.
We were 7-4 with Sexton last year. And that was before Mobley really got going. And DG. And LeVert joined mid-season.
if they both revert to their mean stats last 3 years the needle does move.. if okoro makes the year 3 lift-off could be a really unexpected year, assuming mobley and garland continue to progress.. not betting on okoro.. but we shall see..and i am reasonably optimistic about ochai.. i see him at 10-13 ppg,. and perhaps a few more.. i look for the cavs to win about 45 games (plus/minus 5).. if things really click, then maybe 50-55 wins
The Hawks got better with Murray.
I think there are 10 teams in the East who are thinking 45+ wins.
absolutely — unless someone makes a trade offer — you have to see what they can do going in to the season. either or both have the POTENTIAL to be pretty good. I’m not saying it is likely, but a decent chance. Sexton actually did his early career job pretty good: score a bunch of points, be exciting, put some fans in the seats, win a few games. the big question is, is there a role for him on a contending team? hard to say. I don’t really know much about LaVert other than that he has had some big… Read more »
we should absolutely try to ditch them both, but it’s hard to do that if nobody better wants to come to Cleveland like Beal, LaVine, or Mitchell, and they’re too chicken to trade for Murray.
given that, it’s better to keep them both and see if one of them pops this season with DG/Mobley/Allen. The org is going to value guys who want to stay in Cleveland long term, and both said they want to stay.
Do Beal and LaVine not want to come to Cleveland?
I would think the chance to be a star on a super team would be pretty attractive. That is the situation Kyrie was hoping to find when he bolted.
I am a hard pass on Beal.
I think in theory they could be convinced since we have bigs that can make them look good. But ultimately it sounds like the extra security of the fifth year guarantee if they re-sign is too much to overcome.
I would keep Sexton if he can be signed reasonably. I think he’s someone who can be valuable in those prime age 25-28 seasons. Levert is already out of this window, and his advanced stats have always been pretty terrible. Sexton had more win shares and higher VORP in 2020 than Levert has ever had in any single season. I guess the problem is you’re not getting any value for Levert unless somebody really needs cap space. Giving up a first for such a replacement level player is one of the only bad non-draft moves Koby has made.
might be a bad move in the long run, but at the time the Cavs were about in the top four or so in the EC, and it was generally thought they should “go for it”, and had to make some kind of move in hopes of replacing Rubio’s role.
how may years in college did he have ?
LeVert was a four year guy IIRC.
I’m open to Sexton staying if he’s off the bench. A lurking problem for the club is that he has a huge stan base that will be clamouring for starter recognition if he scores well.
Levert – I’ve seen enough.
If they both are folded I’m ok. Both staying is baaaaad.
Kevin “Basketball Anthrax” Knox not extended QO, and is a free agent. LOL.
haha: “Basketball Anthrax”! didn’t he used to play bass in “Wall Ketchup”?
Kings didn’t extend QO to DiVincenzo, he’s an unrestricted free agent. Not sure if he’s 100% healthy, though.
wow that just does not seem enough for D. Murray. Or am I missing something? 3 first round picks sure, but dude is a young two-way stud All-Star on a very nice contract. So wish the Cavs could have got in on this!
Not really sure what the Spurs are doing. Not saying Murray is untouchable, he has two seasons left on his current cheap contract, then he’ll be a max, but agree, seems like the Hawks got off a little light. Guess Spurs want to do just a full rebuild after Pop retires.
I suppose they are basically tanking.
Hearing that the Spurs knew Murray wouldn’t want to resign after the season, so they sold high… smart move.
That would at least make it understandable. Think the Spurs could have gotten a little more, but I’m assuming Murray wanted to go to the Hawks, and they weren’t pushing it too hard. Those firsts will probably all be somewhere in the ’20s.
I think the Spurs made off well, did better than the Jrue trade and Jrue’s a better player.
And yes, doesn’t pay to be ruthless 24/7 still gotta deal with these agents/teams in the future.
good point.
Yeah I’m surprised they got away with only giving up Galinari instead of Collins.
Hawks have a good mix of players – Young, Murray, Huerter, Bogdanovic, Capela, Collins, Hunter
Am I missing something about Jalenn Brunson? Why do the Knicks have such a hard on for him? I know his dad is employed there but I didn’t think he was a needle mover in terms of being a contender.
Yeah I don’t get it. Sexton has put up better production and is two years younger but he doesn’t get the same hype. Granted I’ve seen way more Sexton but seems suspect.
Knicks are absolutely desperate for a ‘point guard’. I think it’s an overpay, but if they get him for $20mill/ year, it’s not horrendous.
Numbers I was hearing were in the 4 year $100-110M range
Yeah, imo, if it’s $25mill per, it’s horrendous. $20mill per, uhh, ok, I guess? He’ll make them a little better, hard to see him taking them anywhere.
yup, they need a free agency win and a guy who can shoot and pass.
I WILL REMEMBER THAT CLF—-” FEAR THE DEER OR DEAR ” :-)
“TALES FROM NOMAD “—-ONE OF MY CONTRACTS// LAWN MOWING BUSINESS IS A RURAL CHURCH/ 25 ACRES// AND A BEAUTIFUL WOODS—THIS MORNING AS I WAS MOWING ALONG THE WOODS ‘SINGING ‘ TO MY 60’S MUSIC–OUT OF NOWHERE A DEER JUMPED ALMOST OVER THE FRONT OF THE MOWER —HE HAD TO BE THE SIZE OF A– “T-REX ” —-ALTHOUGH THE CHURCH IS CLOSE TO 1/2 MILE AWAY FROM WHERE I WAS MOWING -THEY HAD TO HEAR MY LOUDEST EVER- ‘WTF ‘ —AFTER I CHECKED FOR “BROWN UNDEWEAR ‘– PROCEEDED TO HEAD DOWN THE ROAD ….NOT FOR ” MORE BEER PLEASE –WENT FOR… Read more »
LMFAOOO FEAR THE DEER NOMAD!
that was a SIGN to bet on the Bucks next year!
Exactly!
Fear the Deer!
HEY JASON YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DIOP—-SO AM I AFTER VEIEWING CLIPS—-DO YOU THINK HE COULD POSSIBLY BE A BACK UP THIS YEAR ALREADY ?/
I think a big reason the Cavs took a couple of stash guys is they will be facing a bit of a roster crunch after they sign Rubio or whatever backup PG.
Unless they get hit with a rash of injuries (yet again), I’d assume they’re very happy to keep these guys off the roster, off the payroll, and developing elsewhere.
Also, I. Mobley can play. I think it’s much more likely that he’s eventually on the roster.
I thought he would be when we picked him. But wiser heads said stash & then the Cavs confirmed it. But the fact that he is here for Summer League implies the Cavs think he has a future here.
Don’t get me wrong, he is young & raw, especially offensively. But he has good size, good feet for his size, and is a willing defender. He can be a good finisher/defender. A nice backup.
You know, I hate Draymond the player but he’s been “money” on pod takes for a while now.
yeah, Draymond has a split personality — total asshat on the court, entertaining and insightful off the court.
Not too surprising
I think they want a vet. Hopefully more playable than Davis, thiugh Ed was great in the locker room.
Thomas Bryant, coming off injury, might be a decent gamble. Problem is, our guy is essentially 3rd string, b/c Mobley & Love both play some C minutes.
LeBron and Kyrie:
Wholly unsurprising. What was surprising was how the organisation and the two of them kept the disharmony out of the public eye for so long.
why character matters.. deshawn watson.. destroying a franchise is so easy.. only in the 216..
Steelers did fine with Roethelsberger
not familiar with his issues, but the entire sport has issues.. which is wny i have ZERO interest.. on deshawn, this is a very sick dude,, a mentally-ill child enabled by the sickness that is pro sports.. bring on the choir boys.. re ochai.. i can live with mid-level talent.. keep the psychopaths out.. the browns ownership is a tragedy for the city.. sad
with you on that. very glad the Cavs appear to be on the choir boy end of the spectrum.
They did, but maybe they shouldn’t have. Feel like smoke with public figures often equals raging forest fires with fire tornados. Cosby essentially got away with shit for 40 years. Probably shouldn’t have. Same goes for many other wealthy public figures accused of sexual assault.
But innocent until proven guilty or until statute of limitations passes or until hush money is paid out. Sports is life tho.
All true. However, Crosby (massive use of date rape drugs) and Roethlesberger (has friends guard the door while he rapes girls in public bathrooms) had vastly more serious offensives. Watson was more like “creepy on a massive scale”.
Did the suspension get announced?
Browns knew he might not play much, he’s only making $1 mil (in salary) this year.
the dude is a sick little pervert.. exactly what cleveland and neo need to be associated with..
Yes he is.
The Haslams don’t care.
Wall reportedly to Clippers. Lookout. Wall, PG13, Kawhi, Zubac, Batun, Jackson, Mann, etc.
Former Kentucky point guard Ashton Hagans to Cavs Summer League team per FearTheSword.
They are up to five: Osborne, Hagans, Mobley, Agbaji, Diop.
Is Nembhard eligible for Summer League?
I think this is only his second year coming up, so he should be.
how about waiters ?
Dion?
Last I saw he was still standing by the logo, waiving his arms for a pass, and LeBron pretending he didn’t see him.
thst was a joke.. meant to elicit laughter..
The best.
Also to Nembhard. Seems they want him back.
Starters: DG, LeVert?, Markkanen, EMobe, JA.
Main bench: Rubio, YB, Okoro, Agbaji, Love
Fringe: Wade, Stevens, Osman
End of Bench: Windler + 1 (C or PG)
———
2 Way: Nembhard, IMobe
Stashed: Diop (I think he comes eventually)
Might be good to leave Diop stashed for a couple years. Let him get up to the “Euro – Majors” and hopefully will grow into a top player there. By then the Cavs should be picking very late, and bringing Diop over will be a big plus.
He has been there 3 years already. I think he won the equivalent of “best young player” at the 2nd level Euro competition.
Point being, I think he is close. Which is why (I think) he is here for Summer League. If he was 2-3 years away, I do not think he plays SL.
Of course, I may be alone on Diop island. A vet min C this year, then bring ’em over if all goes well in Spain.
Isn’t he playing in the “Euro – Minors” or “Euro – MidMajors” or something like that?
Yeah. That is what I meant by 2nd level. Still playing in the Spanish league, as well.
His team was not good enough for EuroLeague (NCAA/Champions League). They are the 2nd tier one (NIT, Europa League). I don’t know the name of that competition.
As far as Agbaji, Buddy Held comparison anyone? 4 year seniors from Big 12, though Hield was a much better shooter for his college career. Abgbaji is taller, but Hield put up huge numbers throughout his college career and is inarguably more of a pure shooter based upon ft% and 3% throughout his college career. Not sure about Hield’s metric athleticism since he didn’t participate in the athleticism part of combine.
Note their TS were similar throughout their college careers until Hield shot an absurd .665 his senior year. Adbaji shot 595 his senior year. Also note Hield 3pa were over 7 after his freshmen year.
Yes. Ochai is a good shooter, but has a ways to go to get to elite shooter level (Curry, Klay, Korver, Kerr, etc).
I am hoping he can kind of turn into a shorter, better defending version of Glen Rice. Though Rice was more of a forward.
Agbaji has about a 1” advantage on wingspan and 3” advantage on standing reach, about the same weight.
Hield is definitely more of a pure shooter. Agbaji is way more athletic and a better defender.
not the worst comp, but Hield was a far better scorer. Also Hield’s passing is slightly better.
Hield’s nowhere close to the pure athlete Agbaji is though, so Agbaji should be better in the NBA on defense.
Someone correct me if I am misremembering, but wasn’t Hield’s handle also supposed to be a weakness coming out? If I remember question was whether he could create his own going to bucket. If that is accurate I do sort of doubt that was as big of a problem/knock for Hield as it has been said for Agbaji.
nope AFAIK, it was his athleticism/age and passing ability relative to usage that was the concern. Hield definitely has/had better handles than Agbaji, not even close to the same role on offense.
Hield was way higher usage, offensive initiator… Agbaji is/was more of a finisher.
Ochai is also a better/more willing defender.
disagree, Hield was an engaged defender in college… relied on anticipation and recognition instead of pure speed and length.
Just doubled checked Hield’s college tape, way more of an off-the-dribble shooter a la Steph Curry, rather than spot ups. Also, Hield attacked the rim off the dribble in isolation more as well.
For Agbaji, he was strictly a two dribble and shoot/finish player. Far more athletic finisher too than Hield, way more dunks/lob finishes.
Lol well my memory isn’t what it used to be.
LMFAOOO heard that!!!
Go Cavs
Good for them. I hope to see more corporations follow that route after the last week.
Yikes. I don’t know how northeastern Ohio residents are gonna feel about their ticket money going toward killing kids.
woman hater?
I love all people and don’t want to see any children (boys or girls) slaughtered.
spilled any seed lately?
Just my 2 cents, but one of the reasons I love CtB is that it is largely a politics-free zone.
agree. trying to keep it that way.
Still, Kyrie back with the Nets means 1-5 look solid in the East: Milwaukee, Miami, Boston, Philly, Brooklyn.
We are gonna be competing with Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, and Chalotte for the last direct PO spot & play-in positioning.
Right now, it is tough to see Indy, Washington, Detroit, NY, Orlando competing for the POs.
Being the Devil’s advocate:
Also, Kyrie hasn’t signed the opt-in yet, just stated he would. I wouldn’t take that to the bank just yet. And he can always find a way to sit out the season after he signs…I sure wouldn’t put it past him, even it if screws over KD.
True enough. But assuming relative health (including mental for Brooklyn), I think those 5 are 50+ win teams.
Point being, I do not think the POs are a gimmie next year.
OK, good point, although I doubt it.
In that case, I would feel really bad about screwing the Pacers out of a first round pick — Not!
Milwaukee has Middleton and Jrue. Philly has Harden, Harris, and Maxey.
I agree the Nets could unravel, but likely due to injury to KD. Who knows about Simmons.
you picking Harden, Harris, and Maxey over Mobley, Garland, and Allen?
Lol Kyrie…
couldn’t happen to a nicer town!
Translation:
I got laughed at after asking for a max deal. No one wanted to trade for me. So now I am gonna pretend what a loyal guy I am and wonder aloud why everyone is so mean to me.
haha!
another interesting pro-ochai vid with gary parrish.. note the discussion on the “senior issue”
2022 NBA DRAFT PROFILE: KANSAS OCHAI AGBAJI CAN BE BETTER THAN YOU THINK IN THE NBA
impressive pro-ochai analysis
‘The 3-and-D prototype!’ Why Ochai Agbaji should be a LOTTERY PICK! | 2022 NBA Draft Scouting Report
i’m sold!
chk out the following one on yt with gary parrish.. he thought ochai could go at #7.. note the discussion at the end on the “senior issue”.. they name names,,
2022 NBA DRAFT PROFILE: KANSAS OCHAI AGBAJI CAN BE BETTER THAN YOU THINK IN THE NBA
full disclosure.. i think ochai becomes an assassin, to coin a phrase from stephen a
From what I gather, bringing back Clifford (who I consider a decent enough coach) was basically just the Hornets being their usual cheapskates. They chased away Atkinson because he wanted his own assistants, and the Hornets wanted to keep the assistants they had who were already under contract.
Not really the way to run a railroad. Or an NBA team.
If Thorpe likes Osborne, I’m excited to see him. He really knows the Florida area college guys.
Nice. Thorpe was the one who sold me on Scottie Barnes last year. If Mobley ended up going to Houston (which I was convinced would happen) Barnes was my next choice. I’ll have to check Osborne out.
Adam dropping a dime piece per usual!
Appreciate the Charlotte rundown, very nice to get a perspective about another team!!!
Increasingly serious traction for Eli’s CtB work here. Great stuff dude!
Good stuff!
I think the draft worked out pretty well, and am optimistic going forward.
Good stuff, Adam.
Thanks, Adam! Cannot get the pod to work, not a subscriber!
Well, if Fedor is correct, this means 1 PG until Rubio gets back. We are gonna see PG LeVert. PG Sexton. And PG Okoro.
That trade needs to happen, one of those guys needs to take an unexpected/massive leap as a PG, or we need to install a motion/triangle offense when DG sits.
I’m not a subscriber either, but it worked when I clicked “play” in the pod’s browser window.
Unrelated: Don’t use the Spotify link, Spotify sucks!
If you’re talking about chris’ pod, just click on the article there’s a player on there that works without subscription