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Talent or Fit: What matter more to the Cleveland Cavaliers?

By Alex Krasnow

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 29: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on October 29. 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 29: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on October 29. 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Is Derrick Rose or Jose Calderon the better option for backup point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Isaiah Thomas’ Cleveland Cavaliers’ debut seems to be coming sooner rather than later.  And with his return comes changes in the rotation.  The most affected position will be back up point guard.  Assuming Derrick Rose decides to come back and play, he’ll be competing with Jose Calderon for minutes.  While Rose has had a better overall career than Calderon, basketball is about how players fit into their team’s system.

Does backup point guard matter?

Great backups are capable of changing the tempo of any game, and each one has a different way of doing it.  Derrick Rose is one of the most athletic point guards in the league.  Even after several season-ending injuries, Rose is nearly an unstoppable force when attacking the rim.   At 36 years old Jose Calderon isn’t impressing anyone with his athleticism, but he is an efficient three-point shooter and a solid team defender.

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If you’re on the Cavs, “fitting the system” means being able to play with Lebron.  In Lebron’s’ career, Kyrie Irving, Mo Williams, and Mario Chalmers have started at point guard for successful James teams.  While their playing styles are different, all three excelled alongside Lebron because of their ability to shoot and defend.  

On the other side, one of the players with clear upside that didn’t fit with Lebron’s game was Dion Waiters.  Dion was a subpar shooter and defender while on the Cavs.  While his potential was clear, the Cavs opted to trade him for better shooting and defense in 2015.

Cavs fans can dream, right?

Jose Calderon has been the more consistent player over the course of his career.  However, putting Rose in a winning position in Cleveland should bring out the best in him.  The Cavs are filled with seasoned vets that know what it takes to win and how to get the best out of their teammates.  While it’s unclear if Rose can ever revive his career, he may never be in a better position to than he is now.  In a winning culture, and with superstar caliber talent around him, this may be his last chance to regain relevance in the NBA.

Must Read: Who's the Cavaliers second best player?

The Safe Bet

Calderon beating out Rose seems like more like a ‘when’ than an ‘if’.  History tends to repeat itself in the NBA, the fit of the player is more important than individual skill.  Once Isaiah Thomas comes back, Rose shouldn’t see much more time in a Cavs uniform.