Offseason Open Thread (or, Dawg Dayz)
2023-09-04Hello CtB!
Apologies for the lack of activity around these parts, the CtB squad are trying to soak up every bit of free time during the offseason before training camp and the preseason starts. Here’s some random thoughts from yours truly…
1. Will spot up shooting take another leap?
The Cavs were a bottom five spot up shooting team during the 2021-22 season (according to nba.com), and improved upon that slightly during the 2022-23 to 19th in the NBA. Interestingly the Philadelphia 76ers were the best spot up shooting team in the NBA last season, and Georges Niang was undoubtedly a part of that success. In spite of the Miami Heat’s regular season offense being an abject disaster, they were still a better spot up shooting team than the Cavs.
As you can see here, Coach JB Bickerstaff’s disastrous decision to bench Kevin Love during his struggles led to the Cavs ditching one of their best spot up shooters on the team for the Cavs’ playoff stretch run. They shipped out Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens in the Max Strus acquisition, which is probably a net positive since Bickerstaff can no longer allow Stevens to clank open jumpers with impunity. The real question besides how Strus and Niang will improve the spot up shooting of the team is whether Bickerstaff allows Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley’s jump shooting to hard-cap the offense yet again. Relatedly, does the coaching staff find more opportunities to create more open jump shots for Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, two of the deadliest jump shooters in the NBA. The upside to this information is that there is ton of low hanging fruit to improve the Cavs’ offense just by simply changing the shot diet of the offense away from crappy shooters to the elite shooters. The downside is whether this coaching staff can actually design a strategy to get the Cavs to that goal, given how the last two years have shown that the coaching staff has not been up to the task.
2. The Brilliance of Donovan Mitchell
The other part of the offense that had to improve from the 2021-22 season was the on-ball pick and roll play, which ranked in the bottom 10 of the NBA. The acquisition of Donovan Mitchell did wonders on that front elevating the Cavs into a top three pick and roll offense in the NBA this past season. There has been growing discontent among some Cavs fans regarding the Donovan Mitchell trade, especially given the first round flame out against the New York Knicks and Spida’s objectively awful postseason play. But yours truly cannot co-sign such concern, 10 out of 10 times Koby Altman has to do that trade. The scrutiny should intensify towards the coaching staff, which chose to play too many non-shooters in the rotation and didn’t maximize Evan Mobley or Caris LeVert’s ability to pass the ball as a way to create jump shot opportunities for Garland and Mitchell. Will the new sharpshooting acquisitions help along with the development of Evan Mobley and continuity of retaining Caris LeVert in free agency? Stay tuned…
3. Sound off below, Commentariat
What did you think of the 2022-23 Cavs’ offense? What do you want to see different this season? What went right? What went wrong? Was it coaching or personnel, or a combination? And as always, Go Cavs!
Podcast up.
DOES THE LILLIARD TRADE INFLUENCE THE FUTURE OF SPIDA WITH THE CAVS SINCE IT COULD BE VERY CHALLENGING TO OVERTAKE THE BUCKS THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEAR
it might.
but let’s wait and see how things turn out for the Bucks.
Lots of things can go wrong. What fraction of superstar pairings actually work out? Less than half is my guess — and never in New Jersey.
Anyone want to compile a list of supposed “superteams” created in the past, and assess how they turned out?
I’m pretty skeptical about this take. The Mitchell thing will play out on its own regardless of Bucks situation, but he seems bought in.
Jimmy Butthurt: https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/1707111644743204978?s=20
Can’t tell if he’s serious or joking.
Both
A “ CHANGE OF SCENERY “ FROM THE BIG TRADE ———A BIG THANK YOU AND TO TITO —— A GREAT MANAGER AND AN EVEN BETTER HUMAN BEING —— CLEVELAND HAS BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU “ IN THE LAND “ OVER THE YEARS ———- “ MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE FOR THE BOTH OF US A” 👍😀🍺
So sad Tito is retiring. He’s the goat manager of the Guardians/Indians.
AGREE
Great manager, no question. Honestly not sure if I’d say he was better than Hargrove. Hargrove was not nearly as well regarded by most fans during his tenure, but looking back on his era and Tito’s, can’t really say one was better than the other. Both had some things going for them and some things that tied their hands (never enough pitching in Hargrove’s case, under-powered lineups in Tito’s). Both accomplished a lot. Both came maddeningly close to breaking the Cleveland World Series drought. I may never get over 1997 and 2016; how could both of those endings happen to… Read more »
Damian to Bucks?
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/09/damian-lillard-traded-to-the-milwaukee-bucks-portland-trail-blazers-receive-deandre-ayton-in-3-team-deal-report.html
WojNuke!
The big questions: can Dame Lillard survive till/through the playoffs on a team that is actually trying, can Milwaukee Guard the perimeter at all, and is Khris cooked or not?
Pod inbound!
I’m glad he didn’t go to Miami
All good questions.
But boy, did their ceiling just go up on offense.
Another question is where Jrue lands. Final year of his deal, with a player option. But no way he exercises that to stay in Portland. $36 mil is a lot, but surely a contender comes calling.
The Clippers always need a point guard. I think he lands there!
https://x.com/oldseaminer/status/1707105955765182873
YEP LET’S HAVE A ” CLF WHO DEY ” WIN TONIGHT !!!
WHO DEY BABYY!!!! PRAY FOR BURROW’S CALF!!!!
GREAT WEEKEND FOR OHIO FOOTBALL ——STILL READY FOR THE CAVS SEASON TO START
Projecting a Bengal’s last second win tonight!
This follows from the “five B” model used in these parts: Bulldogs LSW, Bobcats Blowout win, Buckeyes LSW, Browns BOW, Bengals LSW (?)
VERY EXCITING NEWS ——- COULD HELP IN THE RECRUITING OF FREE AGENTS ——POSSIBLY
Cavs coming back downtown
JUST WATCHED THE VIDEO OF KOBY S “ BALANCE SOBRIETY TEST “. WOW——- EVEN AT MY AGE // BAD KNEES AND A FEW” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “ ——I COULD HAVE DONE BETTER THAN KOBY ———SIGN UP FOR A GYMNASTICS CLASS KOBY AND ………. NO ——— MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “
CAN U IMAGINE IF THE GAURDIANS HAD HASLEM// BROWNS MONEY. THEY WOULD BE A DYNASTY
no kidding.
recall that they have new minor partner, but so far have not spent a cent.
I am hoping (dreaming?) they are waiting for a solid nucleus (which they have) and are biding their time to make a big splash. If they could grab a top FA outfielder and top closer, ….
AGREE CHUBBS DESERVES MUCH BETTER SIMILAR TO JOE THOMAS——-BROWN “CLOWNS” ARE WHAT THEY ARE ——UNFORTUNATELY FOR SOME OF THE PLAYERS—- THE BROWNS DESERVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY GET OR DONT GET FROM THE WATSON SIGNING THEY NOW HAVE TO LIVE WITH HIM //CONTACT AS NO OTHER TEAM WILL WANT TO TRADE FOR HIM SUCH A SORRY FRANCHISE FOR SUCH DESERVING FANS 🤬🤬
and he has a no-trare clause.
Haslem is a classic example of someone who was very smart in business, got rich, and thinks he is smart in sports managment too. turns out he made rookie blunder #1.
He is a classic example of somebody born rich who continues to be a worthless dummy failson
TOTALLY SUCKS ABOUT CHUBBS——PRAYERS FOR QUICK RECOVERY —-HOPING IT IS NOT SERIOUS——I KNOW IT IS ONLY THE 2ND GAME ——- I CAN T BUY INTO THE “ DESHAWN KOOL – AID “ —— THINK THE BROWNS ARE LOOKING AT A 200 MILLION MISTAKE THAT WILL SET THEM BACK EVEN MORE I AM READY FOR THE CAVS SEASON TO BEGIN 👍🍺👍🍺👍🍺🙏
Just. Cursed. Chubb deserves better than this sorry franchise. Damn you, Art Modell.
Go Cavs.
Such a disappointing game. Watson is so bad. Just awful that Chubbs got hurt so bad. Hard to see anything but another lost season ahead.
actually it is worse.
they are 100% STUCK with Watson for three more years (five total) due to the contract. there is no sign that he can be a top 10 QB.
the team will probably be around .500 due to a top couple defense.
and baker reborn (karma is a bitch, especially to fools).. the CLE curse has some serious supernatural mojo going.. and shows no sign of losing strength..
think you are probably right. Watson appears to be a mediocre QB — about halfway between Mayfield and good. And they paid a kings ransom for him and are stuck for five years.
WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE CAVS REACT ON THIS. DONT THINK HE WILL BE FIRED CAN SEE A SUSPENSION OR SOME OTHER DISCIPLINE “ NO MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “
Lol. Well played.
Blotting the copybook. Disappointing, but manageable I think/hope.
Nothing will happen. He’s not the first nor the last NBA executive to get popped for a DUI. Plus he didn’t blow so I’m sure his lawyers will get him out of it.
agree. although it would be interesting to know his percent. Lawyers always tell everyone not to cooperate, but this is primarily so they they will be getting a large check.
Altman needs to watch it.
If you drain too many drinks, you can become a fountain.
Oops!
https://fox8.com/news/i-team/cleveland-cavaliers-executive-arrested-for-ovi-i-team/
Yeesh. What a dumbass.
You’d think people making millions of dollars a year would be smart enough to hire a driver if they new they were going to have more than a couple of drinks. No real excuse there. Just dumb and not a good look for the face of an organization. We’ll see what happens I guess.
AGREE—— DID SEE HE HAD ELITE ATHLETICISM AND CAN PLAY DEFENSE
I SAW THAT ALSO RAOUL ——-DONT KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HIM TO FORM AN OPINION. ANY OPINIONS FROM OUR ASTUTE CTB MINDS WOULD BE APPRECIATED
me neither.
in the large category of high picks who have been big disappointments, usually they continue to disappoint. But sometimes they break through. so it can be worth taking a flyer.
He’s an elite athlete with no basketball skill to hang his hat on.
Zhaire Smith:
Rockets looking to trade or waive KPJ. Looks like his NBA career is coming to a close. Good riddance!
JUST-IN. (THE BASKET) POWELL IS A LARGER SIZZE ——-SAM “ MY MAN “ CLONE ——— HIGHLIGHTS APPEARS HE MIGHT HAVE BETTER HANDLE AND PASSING THAN SAM ——- WE SHALL SEE ———ALSO THINK PETE NAMCE WILL BE A REGULÄR ON THE CAVS BENCH IN 3 YEARS
Sounds good!
The highlight film shows that Powell has a couple things you can’t teach: size and shooting touch. I he has the handle and D to match, he will be a steal.
Justin Powell:
https://www.fearthesword.com/2023/9/12/23871213/cleveland-cavaliers-justin-powell-nba-free-agency
Seems like he could be Ty Jerome in a few years
Wow, I’m sure that the graphic above was shown previously, but that really puts it in perspective, re: Love. I was one who was ready to move on from him, more from fatigue of his being around. but, obviously, subtracting him fully instead of reshuffling things while allowing him to recover was a terrible move. I’m always curious how these things play out behind the scenes: what did the coaches say/want, how did the player and gm take it? Primarily, how much of a hit does your rep take in a move like that and how it plays out, particularly… Read more »
reshuffling would bo the obvious thing to do, unless the person involved is “difficult”, which might lead to an “addition by subtraction” situation.
once a gangsta, always a gangsta ? .. kpj “alleged” attack on girlfriend results in
fractured neck vertabra and right eye laceration.. the sad POS has been charged with felony assault and strangulation.. at least he ain’t in CLE.. good koby.. yes, once a gangsta.. always a gangsta.. just the way it is.. this imbecile just destroyed his multi-million $$ career, which is simply justice.. i doubt we have heard that last of his insanity.. this likely makes a lot of noise at it circles the bowl..
Lock him up. Enough is enough.
right. guys in any kind of trouble in college are a gamble and rarely work out. multiple events, or major trouble, and they pretty much never work out.
TT is back
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38381466/cavaliers-reach-one-year-deal-center-tristan-thompson
I guess it helps on the glass some. Though TT was never a great defensive rebounder and is undersized at C. But he isn’t a beanpole and won’t be intimidated in the POs.
Am I missing anyone?
PG: DG, Rubio, Jerome
SG: Spida, LeVert/Okoro, Merrill
SF: Strus, Okoro/LeVert
PF: Mobes, Niang, Wade
C: Allen, TT, D. Jones
———–
2-Way: Porter Jr, Bates, I. Mobley
That is a LOT more decent players than last year. Time to find out if the coach can use them.
Seems like a gesture for the fans and maybe his agent (Rich Paul). I don’t think TT can play, and probably won’t see the court except in garbage time.
Totally agree TT can’t/won’t play unless it’s garbage time or injury, but disagree it’s for the fans or Rich Paul.
It’s clearly to mentor JA and Mobley and teach them how to consistently do the dirty work (rebounds, defense, screen and roll) that TT was always willing to do without the glamorous offensive stats.
Allen & Mobes are better defenders already than TT ever was.
But agree on the mentor angle.
TT won’t be in the regular rotation, but against a BIG center, or if Allen/Mobes get dinged, I think he will play.
AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU ARCH /RAOUL PERTAINING TO LOVE. GREEN. TT COMING BACK IS A POSITIVE FOR ME IN A LINITED ROLE STILL THINK HE CAN BE EFFECTIVE
Heard on the interwebs something about TT resigning with Cavs
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1701323059578216939?s=20
I would have loved this move before the playoffs last year.
Rockets’ Kevin Porter Jr. arrested on assault charges
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38379204/rockets-kevin-porter-jr-charged-assault-strangulation
Cavs did the right thing getting rid of him when they did.
strong agree!
Lots of talent but complete headcase.
wonder if the “top 55 protected” draft pick will convey anytime soon.
GREEN SIGNS WITH PHILADELPHIA——MAKING THAT WHOLE FIASCO OF LETTING KLOVE WALK AND SIGNING GREEN LOOK EVEN WORSE WTF
To be fair, Love’s contract was finished at the end of last season.
And Green was injured and could hardly play
And Love massively underperformed his contract for years. Then his play fell off a cliff, and he threw a hissy when the coach played guys more deserving.
We all love Love for his good years, but the hard truth is that he screwed the team and the fans — which is you and me.
Holy cow. U. S. and Canada both bounced.
USA v GER was one helluva game.
Sorry to be so businesslike about this (unlike euphoria at the beginning of last year), but
Underperform: don’t make it past the first round. Coach gets fired.
Prediction: win first round series.
Exceed expectations: win second round, begin to imagine that we are one piece away from doing something.
I’ll second that motion and request it be moved to the board for approval.
I would slightly revise “Exceed Expectations:” to “win at least two rounds”.
think that’s totally gonna depend on regular season seeding. If we are still a 4, nah, we might get beaten again first round by Atlanta or Philly or NY)
if we are a 2 or 3 seed, think that’s quite doable.
guess I’m just saying our regular season success is going to need to exceed for our playoff success to exceed. which is obvious-ish, but I think we’re devaluing the regular season a bit around here.
Ready for the talk to stop (though I do like the talk) and the ball to flow!!!! End of Oct cannot get here soon enough. Go Cavs
I think camp opens on Oct 3. Anyone know for sure?
HALF FULL ——HALF EMPTY—-NOT SURE WHICH I THE BEST WHEN REFERRING TO BEER 🍺——— GOING TO GO WITH RAOUL ——CAVS WERE ACTIVE IN THE OFF SEASON—- HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THE MOVES PROVE CORRECT OR NOT ——C THE LAKERS PICKED UP C WOOD ——-OUBRE // WASHINGTON STILL OUT THERE
glad you documented my comment before it vanished.
Excited for bball to return. I don’t have as much enthusiasm going into the season for the Cavs, because, “not to beat a dead horse,” they haven’t solved the coaching issues. The summer signings were “meh,” and Spida is likely gone IMO. Here’s hoping Mobley lives up to expectations.
HaHa: Mr. Half Empty!
As usual, I will take the Half Full option.
yup! summer signings were not amazing on talent but good fits and solid pros. I like the Strus signing less the more I dig into it but the alternatives were meh too. Like Niang and love Jerome.
think coaching gets better b/c of more options on the lineup side, and the defense is still best in league even with small guards. I wouldn’t be surprised if we win more regular season games and get to the 2 or 3 seed. Don’t think we can beat the Bucks or Boston but who knows.
Man. Canada is no joke. Just took out Luka. U. S. Better not sleep on Germany and the Wagner brothers.
Now Canada gone. Some players shine in FIBA, “FIBA Bogie” is a thing.
Think GER won’t trouble US.
JUST FOLLOWING UP ON THE SPIDA TRADE —-YES I SUPPORT YOU 100 % CLF —ALTHOUGH KJG JUST HAD AN ARTICLE REVISITING// GRADING THE TRADE—-THEY GAVE THE JAZZ AN A + —–THE CAVS—C ——WHAT DO THEY KNOW —-INTERESTING TO SEE HOW EACH PERFORM THIS YEAR AS THE NBA// TEAMS HAVE HAD A YEAR TO ” DIAGANOSE// EVLUATE// SCOUT HOW TO DEFEND// PREPARE FOR PLAYERS // TEAMS
The Jazz got a fridge all star, a glass combo guard, a decent rookie and a bunch of mid FRPs and swaps that will never convey as long as we have Mobley and Garland. Maybe they can package all that draft capital for another star or something to pair with Lauri but I would rather have Spida
Other notable fridge all-stars: Zion Williamson, Robert Tractor Traylor
lmao my b
haha!
and of course William “the fridge” Perry
Hell yeah! How about cleveland era Shaq, shawn kemp, and there’s another guy I’m trying to think of that would have rounded out this list?
Dinner Bell Mel Turpen, the “Mealman”?
WOW —-AM I IN HEAVEN OR IS THIS A NEW CTB POST—-YES !!!!——I LITERALLY “AGED A YEAR ” SINCE THE LAST POST ——CELEBRATED WITH ………” MANY A MORE BEER PLEASE ” ON SUNDAY ——THANK YOU CLF FOR ” RESURECTING ” CTB —-THE VERY AWARE MRS NOMAD HAD NOTICED THE “CTB DOLDRUMS ” AND INITIATED AN UPDATED ” HONEYDO LIST ” ……….” FRIGGIN MORE BEER PLEASE “——THINK EVAN FINALLY SHOWS HIS OUTSIDE SHOT CAPABILITY // ICE SHOULD BE “NAILED ” TO A CORNER TO SHOOT —–THINK LAVERT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE HIS 3 PT SHOOTING——STRUS RETURNS TO A 40 % 3 PT… Read more »
LMFAOOOOOO my bad NOMAD!!! Always at your service!
Creative juices are starting to flow, but first I need MORE BEER PLEASE~~!!!!
Thanks for keeping this train going, Chris!
Yes sir, you know it!
Good to see CtB back!
I had been jonesing for Cavs news to the point of googling for it. Turns out there are two main categories of Cavs news “out there”:
(1) Cavs fan sites proposing trades of Jarrett Allen for anyone who can walk, hop, or crawl.
(2) The other 29 teams fan sites mooting ways they can steal Jarrett Allen.
This is the year JB really figures it out……………Bahahaha!!!!!!!