Cleveland Cavaliers
The 2020-21 Cleveland Cavaliers season can be defined by Darius Garland’s vast improvement, the heist of Jarrett Allen in the James Harden trade, and by the fact that the Cavs did not finish last in the NBA in defensive efficiency for the first time since 2017-18.
What did we learn?
Year 3 of the post-LeBron Cavs was a step in the right direction, even if it was an incremental one.
The Cavs did not have a coaching change occur midseason for the first time in three years, finally having some structure going forward in J.B. Bickerstaff. With a young and unproven roster, the name of the game is player development.
Some advanced metrics suggested (heavily) that Darius Garland was the worst player in the league his rookie season. He finished last in the NBA in Real Plus-Minus, Win Shares and VORP. In his sophomore season, however, Garland was downright decent. He was soo much more in control and confident with the ball in his hands, something the Cavs asked him to do as their main lead point guard, moving backcourt mate Collin Sexton more off-ball.
And that’s how S E X L A N D mania came to fruition with Garland dishing out 6.1 assists per game, a big upswing from the 3.9 per game in his rookie season, and with Sexton increasing his scoring average up to 24.3 points, 18th most in the league.
Young Bull still has a fiery passion for the game. In the seven games that Sexton scored 30+ points, the Cavs were 5-2 with an average margin of victory of 15 points, including an outstanding 42-point performance against the Nets in an epic 2OT win that had Kevin Love and JaVale McGee hugging like long lost reunited relatives.
The Sexland backcourt is still lacking on the defensive side of the ball, but it helped that the Cavs picked up Jarrett Allen basically for free, a young 23-year-old center capable of anchoring a defense and protecting the rim. A fro power dunker and a fro power blocker.
Before the fro’s arrival to Cleveland, the Cavs defense actually started the season incredibly strong as the 2nd rated defense in the entire league over the first two weeks. But that turned out to be just a beginning of the season mirage. The Cavs ended the season 25th in defense, yet this was still great progress! It was the first time Cleveland didn’t finish dead last in defense in three years since LeBron left.
Isaac Okoro was drafted #5 overall precisely for his defensive ability which was pretty established for a rook. Okoro showed durability and dependability, averaging the most minutes played of all rookies at 32.4 minutes per game, but he also endured his own first-year struggles as most do. His 3-point shot definitely needs some work. A low 29 percent just ain’t going to cut it in today’s game.
The current Kevin Love situation is misterioso. On one hand we can certainly understand being frustrated here, stuck in Cleveland and all. But on the other hand, $30+ million a year should be enough to keep you in line, bud. The Cavs might want to trade him while they still can. The buyout market is all the rage lately. Speaking of, The Andre Drummond Cleveland Expedition resulted in just that. This is a reminder that it’s always better to get a return for your asset instead of nothing, i.e. Drummond, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, et al.
It feels like it’s now or never for GM Kolby Altman with how frequent the front office turnover is these days. In the three years since LeBron left for sunny LA, the Cavs have the worst record in the league:
2018-19: 19-63
2019-20: 19-46
2020-21: 22-50
An average winning percentage of .276 still equals woof.
So even if there is a sliver of light shining on the horizon through the dark and terror-filled night, there is still a long ways to go here on the journey back to relevance.
_____________________________________
Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
Under 22.5 wins but it’s probably going to be down to the wire.
Cavs 2020-21 Record: (22-50)
YES, our preseason Over/Under prediction hit! And it was down to the wire.
_____________________________________
What’s Next?
Cleveland struck a little luck at the lottery landing the #3 pick in the draft. A lot have suggested that they move down, out of the Jalens tier to find somebody better tailored to fit this roster. But if the Rockets take Jalen Green at #2, then Evan Mobley should be the move.
Get Cedi Osman back on track. Osman had his worst season yet, regressing in all areas of the game except free throw shooting percentage. And Delly looked so bad that Eric Collins made fun of him. Might we suggest T.J. McConnell to run back up point?
Give the fro whatever he wants. Same for Larry Nance Jr.
The Collin Sexton trade rumors have been swirling, but can they really break up SEXLAND?!
Figure out what to do with Kevin Love.
____________________________________
Favorite Cavs Highlight from the 2020-21 Season:
Sexton scored 20 points in a row for the Cavs, spoiling the first game that the Nets new Big 3 played together.
BONUS:
