Cavs: Off-ball improvement of Kevin Porter Jr. was on display vs. Celtics

The off-ball improvement of Cleveland Cavaliers rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr. is coming along, and that was on display against the Boston Celtics on Monday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a spectacularly unspectacular performance at the Boston Celtics on Monday.

Cleveland took their seventh consecutive L in that one 110-88, moving the Wine and Gold’s record to 5-18 in the 2019-20 season, and while the Cavaliers had a few really nice spurts, they missed way too many good looks.

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The Cavs had a much better effort than in their previous game at the Philadelphia 76ers when they got annihilated 141-94, and that was a plus.

Cleveland shooting 39.6% from the field, including seven-of-31 from three-point range, as noted by ESPN, though, did them in too much against Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum and a well-balanced Celtics team that is now 17-5.

Kevin Love, who has been in the thick of trade rumors again lately of which was further detailed by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Monday, could not get it going at all against the C’s. Love had only seven points and was just three-of-12 from the field and was just one-of-seven from three-point land, as noted by ESPN.

Love did ten rebounds at least.

Tristan Thompson, in typical fashion, made his presence felt on both ends on the interior and had 11 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, though. He also had a hard-earned 17 points.

Nonetheless, he did have five turnovers against the likes of Daniel Theis, Tatum, Jaylen Brown and a stingy Boston defense.

At any rate, a big positive from this game for the Cleveland Cavaliers was the continued improvement of rookie wing Kevin Porter Jr. off the ball on both ends being on display.

I get that Porter is going to be inconsistent in probably the next few years as a scorer, at least when it comes to shooting the ball, and him shooting just 26.0% from three-point range, according to NBA.com, thus far this season isn’t ideal.

He has not been able to knock down off-the-catch looks, primarily from deep much in 2019-20, and Porter has just a 31.9% effective field goal shooting clip on pull-ups, as indicated by NBA.com. That’s a big reason why he’s had just 7.0 points per game, but he’s been playing reserve minutes, and all in all, that scoring clip is not at all bad for the 19-year-old.

However, Porter’s passing feel for a score-first wing continues to impress me, and an assist rate of 15.0%, as shown by NBA.com, is encouraging. Again, though, in this Celtics game on Monday, Porter’s off-ball improvement stuck out to me for a player that’s much more of a natural on-ball creator.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been at their best this season when they are moving the ball well for long stretches and the man movement has been productive.

Porter in this one was cutting really well, and though his jumper again hasn’t come along yet, he’s making considerable strides off the ball, and is not dribbling the air out of the ball much.

That is just what the doctor ordered, so-to-speak, for Cleveland head coach John Beilein and the coaching staff. Porter had three dunks against the Celtics, and that was from being in the right place at the right time.

Porter is showing better feel in timing of cuts in the last few weeks, and he’s beginning to play off pieces such as Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and to some degree, rookie Darius Garland, as drivers better.

Porter didn’t set the world on fire with nine points on Monday, but he again showed growth off-ball, and when he’s rising up for a jam, defenders need to watch out.

This was even with his non-dominant right hand in transition. Woah.

Additionally, Porter seems to be improving as the year has progressed defensively in terms of navigating through off-ball screens.

That’s made him in recent weeks be in better position to stay locked-in to wall off drivers, along with be more disciplined in closeouts.

Porter’s ability to time up opponent passes/ball-swings and get deflections and/or make precise stunts has also been great to see. He’s clearly getting more comfortable in that way, too, and that was demonstrated by Porter having three steals against the Celtics on Monday, as documented by ESPN.

KPJ recovered in a flash to get back and blocked an interior shot attempt, too, which showcased his closing speed and athleticism, and as play-by-play announcer and Cavs legend, Austin Carr, highlighted, KPJ’s anticipation on defense is seemingly ever-improving.

Along with his play off-ball against a very good Celtics squad, Porter’s postgame comments were good to hear, too.

The big takeaway from him here is touching on how the Cavs need to move the rock and play unselfish.

Now KPJ did have three turnovers against the C’s, which I’m sure didn’t please Beilein and company.

Porter did also have two terrific assists to Clarkson, too, though.

Moreover, Porter seems to be getting it more and more now, and Cleveland Cavaliers fans should should be all-in on KPJ.

Though the jumper hasn’t been there yet, the youngster is showing more and more why he could be a key piece for the Cavs in coming years.

Most notably, Porter’s seemingly rapid off-ball improvement has been a pleasant surprise, and this game against the Celtics on Monday was an example of that.