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Have the Cleveland Cavaliers Forgot About Kyle Korver?

By Jackson Flickinger

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during the preseason game on October 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic during the preseason game on October 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the Cleveland Cavaliers want more success in spacing the floor, they need to play Kyle Korver more.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made only five threes in their opening win against the Boston Celtics. What’s even worse is the fact they attempted just 22 shots from deep. To put that in perspective, as a team the Cavs averaged the second-most threes per game last season with 33.9 per night. Their ability to take and make the three-ball was one of the biggest reasons they were a top-five offense in nearly ever statistical category last season. If they want to get back to this type of offense, Kyle Korver must be involved more often.

The Cavs aren’t the same team they were last season. They have three new starters and only seven returning players. These additions have added much-needed depth, but it has come at the price of sacrificing the three ball. One of the returning players that can change that is Kyle Korver.

Korver is still one of the best shooters in the league even at his age. He led the NBA with a 45.1% three-point shooting percentage last season. However, that incredible shooting doesn’t space the floor when he’s sitting on the bench. Korver played just seven minutes and didn’t register a single shot in Tuesdays’ win over the Celtics. There’s no justification for that with the Cavs’ lack of spacing.

Coach head coach Tyronn Lue has his hands full in trying to find minutes for every player. The Cavs have arguably the deepest team in franchise history, but that depth does no good if veterans like Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose play 30 minutes per night. The benefit of having depth is so players like Wade and Rose don’t have to play as much so they can be fresh for the playoffs.

The Cavs new depth can create very good offensive lineups. The lineup of Rose, Korver, LeBron James, Jae Crowder, and Kevin Love were a plus five in the one and a half minutes they played Tuesday. That is just one of the many examples of a lineup that can thrive with Korver in it. The threat of his three-point shooting can open up lanes for Rose and Wade that didn’t exist against the Celtics.

Cleveland’s lack of spacing the first game isn’t a cause of concern. They have enough shooting with players like Love, Smith, Korver, Crowder and Channing Frye. However, shooters like Smith and Korver need to be on the floor more than a couple of minutes here and there to get into a rhythm and have an impact on the game.

Playing Korver more will go a long way in improving the Cavs offense for everyone on the floor. The Cavs can’t afford to have games where they shoot only 22 threes. Especially if one of the best shooters in NBA history doesn’t have one of those shots.

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