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Cavs: When Kevin Love returns, Taurean Prince is bench bucket-getter

By Dan Gilinsky

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Taurean Prince handles the ball. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Taurean Prince handles the ball. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Taurean Prince, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff (left) and Cleveland wing Taurean Prince celebrate in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Examining what Prince has provided for the Cavs so far

Thus far with the Wine and Gold, Prince has settled in nicely, and he’s really given juice to the Cavaliers. Overall in his 12 games with Cleveland, Prince has looked more comfortable than he did in his time with Brooklyn, whether that was playing with Durant in or not.

He’s had 10.2 points per outing in this span, and knocked down 43.1 percent from three-point range, and has had 4.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 25.8 minutes per contest. But one thing has been particularly evident, and that’s the stark contrast in Prince’s efficiency/overall effectiveness as a starter as opposed to coming off the bench.

First, we’ll note Prince’s stats as a starter, and that’s been at the 4 in said instances.

  • 8.5 points per game on 32.4 percent shooting, while shooting 35.0 percent on 5.0 three-point attempts per contest
  • He’s had 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in 29.4 minutes per game in those outings
  • A plus-minus of minus-8.0 stands out, though

Secondly, here’s the bench splits/production for Prince with the Cavs.

  • 11.0 points per game on 44.6 percent shooting, and has 48.4 percent of his three-point attempts
  • He’s had 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, to go with 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 24.1 minutes per outing
  • The plus-minus for him off the bench has been plus-4.5

Point being, from my perspective, while I’m not opposed to Prince starting at the 4, perhaps for a few games, if Love isn’t back just yet, his efficiency and the juice he’s provided as a reserve has been especially crucial.

When he’s been able to come in off the bench, both at the 3 and against reserves when at the 4 more, he’s meshed well with guys like Cedi Osman, Dylan Windler and seemingly a staggered Darius Garland/Collin Sexton.

The efficiency has been a big difference, as was noted, and though I get those that would perhaps want Prince to start over Isaac Okoro at the 3 when Love returns, I firmly believe that Okoro, while his minutes should be cut down some, maybe, should still start there. And Prince can play alongside him for spurts/stretches at a different spot, or with Okoro a bit at the 2.