After solidifying himself as a key scoring threat for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rodney Hood must work on his efficiency.
The Cleveland Cavaliers completed retooled their team prior to the trade deadline for several reasons. They did it to bring in players with less ego, build a younger core to build around, and be able to give LeBron James everything weapon he needed to compete with Golden State.
For the most part, bringing in Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, George Hill, and Rodney Hood has been a success. Both Nance Jr. and Hill have, for the most part, have been exceeding their expectations in the Wine & Gold. Clarkson, who has solidified himself as a key scoring threat in the second unit, has also been a phenomenal addition.
As for Hood, his lack of efficiency scoring the ball has defined his short ten-game tenure in Cleveland. From the four that were added, Hood arguably has the highest upside with an already perfected jump shot at just 25 years old.
However, Hood has yet to really turn it on in Cleveland. Since the all-star break, Hood has averaged 10.4 shots per game, the second highest on the Cavs only behind LeBron James. On those shots, he has made just 39.8%. Outside of George Hill and JR Smith, Hood has been the worst shooting rotational player.
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One of Hood’s strengths as a player is his shot. In Utah, he made 2.6 triples per game. But, in Cleveland, he’s yet to find his range either. Hood has averaged just 0.8 triples per game following the break and has shot 23.1% on those shots. On the season, he’s averaging 2.3 triples per game and 38% from downtown. The latter figures are phenomenal and exactly what the Cavaliers need from Hood.
Hood, who plays around 30 minutes per game, suffered a back sprain in his last game, and it’s unknown the severity of that injury. One thing is for sure though: Hood must find his groove in Cleveland.
Without Kyrie Irving there to bail the Cavaliers out in the postseason, Rodney Hood needs to step up. He needs to be a reliable scoring threat off the bench.
His basketball IQ is there. Since the break, Hood’s 0.6 turnovers per game are the ninth most on the Cavs, so choosing when to drive and when to shoot doesn’t seem to be the problem.
It also hasn’t been Hood’s shot selection. He’s shooting over 45% on shots that are both “tight” and “open.” However, Hood is hitting just 23.1% of his shots that are “wide open.”
Whatever the reason, Hood has not done well with the excess spacing and that must be corrected before his efficiency is significantly improved. The Cavs need Hood to improve his shooting.
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Hood has committed to being involved in Cleveland’s offense. Once his shot starts to fall, he could easily become one of Cleveland’s most lethal players.