After finishing 22nd in the NBA in pace last season, the Cavaliers are playing at the sixth-fastest pace so far this season, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, who notes that coaches and scouts around the league are praising new head coach Kenny Atkinson for embracing the strengths of his players while implementing his preferred style.
“It’s exactly the way Kenny wants to play,” one scout said. “The speed with which they play is so advantageous for (Evan) Mobley and (Darius) Garland, and it also helps cover up deficiencies for other players. … They’ve simplified things from last year.”
The 31-4 Cavaliers have the NBA’s best record and will carry a 10-game winning streak into a showdown with the West-leading Thunder (who have won 15 regular season games in a row) on Wednesday night.
Still, as impressive as Cleveland has been in the first half of this season, there are people across the league who remain somewhat skeptical about how the club’s style will translate to the postseason.
“I think they’re a really good regular-season team, but when the game slows down and is more targeted, I have some concerns,” said an assistant coach whose team recently faced the Cavs. “Can Donovan (Mitchell) and Darius make a bunch of shots when that happens? That’ll be the biggest question.”
Here’s more from around the Central:
- The Cavaliers‘ front office is hesitant to risk messing with the chemistry in the team’s locker room in order to make a marginal deal ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, sources tell ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. That doesn’t necessarily mean Cleveland will stand pat, but it probably means that in order to make any deal of significance, the club would have to be pretty confident it would be a meaningful on-court upgrade.
- Dr. Clint Soppe, a sports medicine doctor based in Los Angeles, tells Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press that a fibula fracture like the one Pistons guard Jaden Ivey suffered generally takes four-to-six months to fully recover. The Pistons haven’t ruled out Ivey for the season after he broke his leg last week, but that timeline suggests the odds are against him returning this spring. Still, it’s worth noting that Soppe hasn’t examined Ivey himself and can’t speak to his specific case.
- Bennedict Mathurin‘s willingness to buy into his role has been an important factor in the cohesion of the Pacers‘ starting five, which has helped fuel the team’s run of nine wins in 12 games, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “This is a winning brand of basketball that he’s playing now,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s learned some things. He’s realized some things. He and I have spent a lot of time talking about it and watching things. If he’s willing to run and take open shots, avoid the temptation to drive into crowds and try to draw fouls and play tough, hard-nosed defense, that’s a winning formula for a young player.” Mathurin will be eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2025 offseason.
Warriors sent Kenny Atkinson packing so Steve Kerr can do…what he’s doing with this roster that anyone can win with. Lacob and MDJ are idiots. Steve Kerr is the worst coach in the league.
Stop making everything about the Warriors. We get it, you have a blood feud with Steve Kerr. Nobody cares.
But didn’t you know that in ancient times the warriors had some sort of connection to a man named Kenny? Lol
I think they’re a really good regular-season team, but when the game slows down and is more targeted, I have some concerns,” said an assistant coach whose team recently faced the Cavs. “Can Donovan (Mitchell) and Darius make a bunch of shots when that happens? That’ll be the biggest question.”
Um…has he watched Donovan Mitchell in the playoffs?
Agree, teams aren’t scheming yet for individuals like they do in the playoffs. Garland got absolutely hunted on the defensive end by Boston and burnt badly on switches. If fully healthy Boston, NY and Orlando have rosters to take advantage of this and more.
You also know that Garland was still recovering from regaining his stamina and weight/endurance after his broken jaw then. It takes time to fully recoup. It appears he has recouped from it.
I wasn’t saying anything negative about Cleveland or Mitchell. Mitchell has had some disappointing series in the past but he’s usually clutch in the playoffs.
Boston is going to be tough as is Orlando but Mitchell will hunt Brunson all game every game against The Knicks just like Brunson will hunt Garland. Mobley matches up with anybody defensively be it Banchero, Tatum, Wagner or Towns. If he has to switch onto a guard he can hold his own against as can Allen to a degree. Strus, Olidipo and Okoro are good on D in certain matchups as well.
All four of the contending Eastern conference teams all well situated for matchup dependant basketball.
Taco, I think you nailed this one. And, it’s not just Mitchell that has underperformed badly in the playoffs. This whole team has a lot to prove.
Mitchell has had one or two disappointing playoffs series but for the most part he’s been pretty clutch. The team as a whole is right on pace. They have been progressing nicely. This is the third season with Mitchell. How many seasons did it take the Celtics with Tatum and Brown to win a championship?