Cleveland Cavaliers: Cavs need more ‘Jazz’ on offense
Rodney Hood and Alec Burks are in a familiar spot with each other again. But unlike their time with the Utah Jazz, both are leaving much to be desired with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After half of a season apart, the two former Utah Jazz are back at it as teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rodney Hood was acquired at the NBA Trade Deadline last season in the midst of a playoff run. Alec Burks was netted earlier this year in a deal to get Kyle Korver back into his stomping grounds. Currently, both start for the Cavaliers.
Despite their starting roles, neither guy can seem to find a consistent flow. Why haven’t the two found footing in Northeast Ohio?
Besides the obvious factor of shuffling and shaping a rotation every night as veterans remain on trade alert, neither one seems to be getting the right attention and it’s hurting their efficiency as a result.
But just like Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. showed last season, it’s not a bad thing to let the two be running mates in an effort to lock up their future with the Wine and Gold. Clarkson and Nance both came over from the Los Angeles Lakers and a lot of their success last season was when the two linked up on the offensive end, with familarity playing a huge part in that.
Hood and Burks can attempt to do that, but the difference is the former Lakers both came off the bench. The ex-Jazz members have realized there are more mouths to feed in the starting unit.
Cleveland is sold on second-year forward Cedi Osman and likes to run a lot of the offense with him and rookie Collin Sexton. Despite only shooting three more shots per game (per Basketball Reference) as a duo than Burks and Hood, that statistic could be misleading. In games where one of the latter have found a spark, especially Hood, the Cleveland Cavaliers elect to go away from the hot hand and continue to force feed others.
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While Burks hasn’t given hints of a blow-up game, he really hasn’t been granted a lot of chances with the ball in his hands. Regardless of his lack of usage, Burks is still averaging 11.3 points per game.
This isn’t to say that the Cavaliers should go away from Sexton and Osman. But the offense is becoming stagnant at times due to opponents understanding who they need to keep their eyes on. In reality, allowing Hood and Burks to run the floor a little more would allow the spacing to clear up for others on the floor.
Both are fighting for their spot on this team, with trade rumors aligning with their names (per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst). But if the organization can’t set them up for optimal success, how can they be blamed for their failures?
Burks and Hood are two of the better scorers in Cleveland and their talents should be utilized. Hood’s case is even more confusing, considering the Cavaliers brought him back after a flat finish to his postseason. Why re-sign him if he’s going to sit idle during key moments of the game?
Next. Cavaliers should not trade Cedi Osman. dark
The Cavaliers have two pairs of “Jazz-hands.” They should probably use them more often.