4 stories from the Cavs win over OKC on Saturday

Cavs story #4: A Dean Wade sighting

I’ve been pretty vocal in my questioning of what exactly Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is doing with Cavs forward Dean Wade? Wade has been a starter on the team earlier this season, especially when the team was dealing with injuries and COVID-19-related issues with other teammates. Since then, he’s been demoted to the bench and out of the coach’s bench rotation.

Wade hasn’t been the double-digit scorer that several other teammates have been, but he is one of the team’s best defenders whenever he’s been on the floor. He’s one of the most knowledgeable players in understanding the game and usually makes the right decision, especially defensively.

There’s been some hesitation on Wade’s part to shoot the ball when given the chance and maybe that’s part of why Bickerstaff hasn’t been playing him at all of late.

With that said, Lauri Markkanen went down with the ankle injury in the game last night and Wade was put in during the second half of the game. Wade played okay but went one-for-five from the free throw line. While the aggressive play to get to the line is good, it was very uncharacteristic of Wade to miss four free throws.

Bickerstaff should get Wade back in the rotation permanently, but with Markkanen sidelined now with the ankle sprain, Bickerstaff shouldn’t have a choice in not playing a Wade. With Wade in the lineup, the defense for the Cavaliers only gets even better and that’s another key to getting to the playoffs and winning.

Now the Cavs will play the New York Knicks Monday night and then the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. It’s been a very entertaining and story-filled season so far. What else does this Cleveland team have up their sleeves?