The Cavaliers‘ improved play this season has put them in position to be unhappy after a win, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Victories have been rare in Cleveland over the past three seasons, but with the Cavs in fifth place in the East at 28-19, coach J.B. Bickerstaff is stressing the importance of a strong performance every night.
That’s why he was upset Saturday after watching his team struggle to put away the Thunder. Bickerstaff was displeased over a lack of effort and an offense that produced 23 turnovers and only 22 assists.
“It’s an understanding of the bigger picture of what we’re trying to get done and the seriousness of every game for us and what it means,” he said. “That’s part of our growth and maturation. There’s games like this where if you lose these games, you’re looking back in April and they matter.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Head coach Dwane Casey wants to take some of the ball-handling duties away from Cade Cunningham, who is running the offense and handling much of the scoring for the short-handed Pistons, per Keith Langlois of NBA.com. Injuries to Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk and Killian Hayes have resulted in Cunningham taking on a larger-than-expected share of the offense. “I’ve got to do a better job of getting him off the ball,” Casey said. “Find another ballhandler. When we get Kelly (Olynyk) back, get his time up as a point five, allowing Cade to play off the ball a little more and that’ll take the pressure off Cade, because to bring the ball down the floor, create his own shot, that’s too much.”
- Pistons rookie center Luka Garza has cleared the health and safety protocols and is focused on reconditioning so he can start playing again, tweets Rod Beard of The Detroit News.
- The Pacers have to make a decision on Lance Stephenson, whose 10-day contract expires tonight, tweets Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. Stephenson joined the team under the hardship provision at the start of January, but because all of Indiana’s players cleared protocols by the time that deal expired, he had to sign a standard 10-day contract. The Pacers have the options of giving him another 10-day deal or signing him for the rest of the season. He has averaged 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 11 games.
Its been fun watching Lance back as a Pacer. I’d be really disappointed if they don’t keep him. Give the people what they want!
So Cade looks to be getting into his rythmn after a slow start and Casey (who was deficient in player development with Raptors and now Detroit) now starts yapping on getting him to play off the ball. Maybe, his GM should pull him aside and ask WTF.
OG Anunoby (23rd), Fred Van Vleet (undrafted) and Paskal Siakim (27th) are all borderline All Stars and developed in part by Casey and his staff.
Some of us remember Casey for nailing draftees onto the bench and forced by Masai to play them. Siakam actually started a few games at the start of his rookie season and then burried by Casey for 2 seasons. Raptors 905 was key to player development. Maybe you can provide some incite for Casey getting canned soon after his Coach of theYear award. I’m sure Pistons fans can recite them.
You mean Casey getting screwed after winning coach of the year. He has competitive veteran team and most every coach prefers his vets when you’re winning. I mean I guess it worked out cause they won a championship but I think that has to do more with Kawhi then anything else.
Premise was Casey had no ability to develop players and Raptors fans endured this for several years. Pistons fans recognize his shortcomings. Anyhow, they’re apt to start a “free Cade movement”.