Larry Nance Jr. is Cavs MVP so far at near-quarter poll

The Cleveland Cavaliers have started off the 2020-21 campaign at 8-9, which, given the injury issues they’ve had, has been encouraging.

It’s evident that Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has this team bought-in, and he looks to be their long-term answer moving forward with how this squad has been competing, aside from Sunday’s blowout loss at the Boston Celtics, every game.

That’s been even previously without the likes of Darius Garland, who was sidelined for eight games due to a right shoulder sprain, Collin Sexton having missed five games because of a left ankle sprain and other ailments. That’s included Kevin Love (right calf strain/reaggravation) having been active for basically just one-plus games to this point, too.

Albeit it was a big plus, for the present and more so future, though, that the Cavs were able to acquire Jarrett Allen, who would appear to be their long-term answer at the 5, via trade from the Brooklyn Nets, too. And although JaVale McGee has filled in pretty well as Andre Drummond’s backup, Allen is a significant upgrade in the short term in that realm.

Also, considering the Brooklyn Nets and Cavs have reportedly had trade discussions involving McGee, I’d expect him to be dealt pretty soon, albeit perhaps McGee, who is set to make $4.2 million this season and is expiring, could be dealt somewhere else, anyway.

Meanwhile, one would assume that Drummond, per a report from Jason Dumas of KRON4 News in which you can view more on in the above link, and other recent reports, could very well be dealt at some point by the Cavs, too.

Dumas also reported how the Nets are interested in Love, too, though an execution of a potential trade with Brooklyn is tough to foresee happening, and Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported how that would be unlikely.

But the trade rumors involving Love, including with how Dumas reported that the Cavs are looking to deal bigs for draft capital and that Drummond and Love “could both be moved” seemingly in a general sense, plays into how Love could eventually be dealt at some point by the deadline, anyhow. Love trade rumors are nothing new, though, as us Cavs fans know.

This report from Dumas on the Nets, seemingly in response to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reporting how the Nets are hoping that Drummond is some point bought out, but stating that Love will likely be when healthy is hard to foresee currently. That’s with the Cavs in postseason contention as of now, but regarding Love, a potential buyout for him is well..beyond unrealistic, you would think.

In any case, the Cavaliers have looked good to this point, to me, and that Allen acquisition, to go with Taurean Prince as well, should help them.

So who stands out to me as far as the Cavs MVP at this juncture, nearing the quarter poll of this season thus far, then?

The Cavs MVP near the quarter poll is Larry Nance Jr., to me.

To me that’s Larry Nance Jr., of whom, let’s hope is not out for an extended period.

Nance sprained his right wrist in Cleveland’s loss to the Celtics on Sunday, and per a Cavs team status update, will be re-evaluated daily, albeit there was not a timetable mentioned, so we’ll have to see. Nance missed the second leg of Cleveland’s back-to-back on Monday versus the Los Angeles Lakers, in what was a close loss, but is questionable for Wednesday versus the Detroit Pistons.

Nonetheless, from my viewpoint, Nance has been the Cavs MVP to this point, and first, we’ll take a look at how he’s been a key factor for the Cavaliers defense.