The Cavs should build a new identity through defense
By Doug Patrick
The returning pieces
Cavs fans should also excite over the defensive potential in some of their returning players, too.
One of the most anticipated Cavalier performances for this upcoming season is that coming from Cedi Osman. While many gush over the Turkish native’s shooting and rebounding potential, the long six-foot-eight winger could also turn some heads with his defense.
When Osman was on the court this past year, opponents’ offensive ratings worsened by 1.1 points. This is mundane number for now, but the eye test suggests it will only grow.
“He’s always active,” Head Coach Tyronn Lue said this past December (per Alex Hooper of 92.3 The Fan).
“He has great hands, plays hard, and sometimes he gets overanxious, sometimes he fouls jump-shooters because he wants to contest every shot. But he plays hard every single night, and that’s all you can ask.”
As Osman sees his minutes increase exponentially this year, he’ll likely become less anxious and more effective when guarding the NBA’s best.
More from Cavs Analysis
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
- Projecting how much Cavs’ 3 two-way signings might play this season
- 4 Cavaliers looking to make a name for themselves in training camp
- Mitchell’s numbers getting trimmed a bit wouldn’t be bad thing for Cavaliers
Larry Nance Jr. could also prove important on defense. At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, he is a sturdy body that can guard both the four and five positions. As a Cavalier, Nance helped drop opponents’ offensive ratings by 7.7 points last season.
If Nance can develop the jumpshot he’s talked about, he could prove athletic enough to play the small forward position without crowding the paint. Imagine a lineup that consisted of Nance, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson in which Nance was a threat from the midrange, or even deep.
Opponents would have to search for any second-chance opportunities, and the strong bodies of this front-court could throw teams favoring small-ball for a loop.
Older Cavs like George Hill and Kyle Korver will also fit into these defensive-minded ideas.
While Hill is aging and has lost some of his lateral quickness that made him effective in Indiana, he is still a more than competent on-ball defender.
Korver lacks the athleticism to be an impact defender in any sense of the word but his commitment to putting his body on the line for charge calls and loose balls makes him a valuable cog to this team.