The Cleveland Cavaliers, on paper, should be versatile, but there are far too many holes for fans to assume they can create an elite small-ball lineup.
Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers had an array of players they could bolster a small-ball lineup with, namely LeBron James and Jeff Green. Those two were the key forces behind an elite small-ball lineup.
This season, there are really two things that will limit Cleveland from playing that type of lineup.
First of all, an elite, yet versatile, power forward will be a factor. The main goal of small-ball lineups is to spread the defense out and create open looks while, at the same time, creating a defensive lineup that’s quick and possesses at least mediocre rebounding.
Cleveland should be able to put out a lineup that can target a few of those, but elite small-ball lineups have all those capabilities.
That said, Sam Dekker, as compared to LeBron James or Jeff Green, can not space the court, and other players like Cedi Osman or Rodney Hood wouldn’t be solid enough rebounding to warrant playing them at the four.
While Dekker’s rebounding, defensive abilities and finishing might be similar to at least Green’s, he, if anything, clogs the lane. Dekker ended last season averaging far less than a three per game and shot under 20% from deep.
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While another option is to play Osman at the four, it’s likely since he’d be bullied down low. A fan-favorite, Osman isn’t as strong as Green or James. Meaning, it’d be difficult for him to rebounding and compete against larger, stronger power forwards like Draymond Green or Carmelo Anthony.
However, while not having a small-ball power forward might be imperative, it’s not the only reason the Cavs might not be able to go small.
Top-tier playmaking might be another weakness for any Cavalier small-ball lineup.
Last season, any smaller lineup could thrive with James on the court, but this season, players like Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson might be crucial for success due to their offensive rebounding and defensive length.
Hood, Sexton and Osman have not proved to be capable scorers for an elite unit. While Hood did average nearly 17 points per game for a time last season, he failed to do so against opposing starting units. Love would the go-to option which would make outside shooting more necessary, and with Sexton, he’s yet to showcase and elite outside jumper.
One could also argue a lineup with Sexton-Hill-Korver-Osman-Love might be capable in spurts, but defensively, they’d be eaten alive. However, it’d at least be worth a try.
The Cavs are deep, but they have numerous one-dimensional players, which will create quite the difference in lineups.