King James Gospel
Fansided

The Cavs should build a new identity through defense

By Doug Patrick

Cleveland Cavaliers Cedi Osman (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers Cedi Osman (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton reacts after being selected eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton reacts after being selected eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The new pieces

Several of Cleveland’s acquisitions this summer point towards an organizational desire to build a barricade on the less glamourous side of the ball.

Most notable, of course, is eighth-overall pick Collin “Young Bull” Sexton.

Coming out of college, critics wonder how well the Alabama product could shoot and facilitate for others.

One thing they’re unconcerned about? His ability to defend.

Sexton has been praised throughout this offseason for his lateral quickness and tenacity on defense. In Summer League, he displayed his fearlessness in dramatic fashion when guarding Los Angeles Lakers point guard and Summer League MVP Josh Hart.

What’s more, Sexton possesses a relentless work ethic that could be the catalyst for creating this new gritty Cavalier identity. He was unranked after his high school junior year season—the Young Bull wasn’t supposed to be a top ten pick.

He knew he had a place in the NBA though, even when scouts weren’t yet cued in on it. He made his vision a reality through his intense attitude and focus toward basketball.

Sexton can be the motor to this developing Cleveland machine.

Less high-profile but just as important to this new team was their August 1 signing of swingman David Nwaba.

With a linebacker’s body and a seven-foot wingspan, despite only standing at six-foot-four, it’s no wonder Nwaba has been a defensive standout since entering the league two years ago.

In his short career, Nwaba has played on two bottom-feeding teams: the Lakers and Bulls. However, in both of these stints, he carried impressive on-off numbers. With Los Angeles, he was +9.1. With Chicago, he was +2.0.

Clearly, in these dark situations, he was a bright spot.

Though listed as a two-guard, the Cavs should tinker around with lineups where Nwaba would be the de facto three. His elite length and athleticism could allow him to defend smaller, less physical small forwards. And if you put him alongside developing shooters like Cedi Osman or already established ones like Kyle Korver or George Hill, he can cover their weaknesses while making the best part of his offensive game shine—his ability to cut.

(This cut was good for two free throws rather than just one measly dunk.)

Nwaba averaged 1.35 points per possession when cutting and graded out in the 72nd percentile in the league last season on these actions.