Cavs: 2 reasons they lead the league in assists thus far

The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled to move the ball last season. Darius Garland took a big step forward in directing the offense, and both he and Collin Sexton set careers highs for assists per game. Larry Nance Jr. and Kevin Love both moved the ball as elbow facilitators but combined they played less than a full season due to injuries.

Outside of them, there were a lot of moving parts whose lack of chemistry together and ability to see the floor doomed them to stilted possessions where more often than not players were trying to create for themselves. As a team, the Cavs finished 21st in the league in assists per game with 23.8.

The Cavs are moving the ball well this season, leading the league in assists and indicating great health for a young offense

That has changed significantly this season, with the Cavs now leading the league with 32 assists per game through two contests. That number would have led the league by five whole assists last year, and while it’s almost certain to come down it indicates that this offense is a lot healthier than it was before.

There are two main reasons the Cavs are currently pacing the league in assists. It comes down to tripling their number of high-level passers, and leaning on one of the league’s best finishers.

Cavs: 2 reasons they lead the league in assists – Three great playmakers

Last season, as previously stated, Darius Garland was the only true difference-maker setting up his teammates. This year that has changed dramatically, as the number of top passers on this team has tripled to provide more consistent playmaking across the full 48 minutes of games.

Two major personnel additions from the offseason can help us track the improvement. Evan Mobley was drafted No. 3 overall as a big man who nonetheless demonstrates perimeter skills, and his ability to run the offense and find open teammates is one of those skills. He had a standout performance in the opener against the Memphis Grizzlies including six assists.

The more significant culprit for the improvement is Ricky Rubio, brought in via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves to solidify a backup point guard position in flux. He has done that and more, starting in the second game against the Charlotte Hornets while Garland rested a sore ankle. He totaled 10 assists in the spot-start, one game after hitting that same number coming off the bench in the opener. Check out the patience Rubio displays as a veteran running a pick-and-roll with one of the league’s best finishers (and oh yeah, enjoy the YAM on Mason Plumlee’s head too):

Garland himself showed off his playmaking development in the one game he did play in, running the offense despite a poor shooting start and totaling 12 assists. He pushed frequently after Grizzlies misses and set up his big-men teammates in semi-transition, including five assists to Jarrett Allen and three to Evan Mobley. Between Garland and Rubio this team should have a gifted passer on the court at all times, and the development of Mobley as a passer from a big man position will unlock the offense to an even greater degree.

Cavs: 2 reasons they lead the league in assists – An elite finisher

In the Cavs’ season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Cavs’ newly-paid starting center set an NBA record in a season opener by making all 11 of his field-goal attempts. He was throwing down dunks and even occasionally stepping out for short jumpers, and was their leading scorer with 25 points. You can’t get any more efficient than that.

The finishing ability of Allen has been a huge boon to the Cavs. He has made 16 of his 17 field goal attempts in two games, all of them 2-pointers, and 14 of those have been assisted by his teammates. Pass Allen the ball near the rim and he is going to finish. Assists are credited to the passer, but the receiving player has to finish for it to count.

Allen is finishing, getting into good position and trusting his teammates to hit him in the right spot. He is setting hard screens and then racing to the rim, and the slivers of space are all he needs to finish. If there’s not enough space on the court he just creates some by going to outer space.

I know we already watched that, but I just want to keep it on replay again and again. It’s not simply a nasty dunk; it shows Allen’s increased aggressiveness this season in going after the rim. Even with high-volume scorers like Collin Sexton and alongside a high-profile rookie in Evan Mobley, Allen is confident in his role and is seeking out baskets. That determination has put him in positions for his point guards to find him for a dunk or layup.

Odds are that the Cavs will fall back to earth a bit in terms of passing, but it’s not a given. Rubio and Garland aren’t going anywhere, Mobley will only improve, and Allen is showing no signs of giving opposing big men mercy. A step forward in moving the ball is a major sign of health for this offense, one that can cut down on the turnovers and begin keeping them in games, even against better opposition.