Reviewing Cedi Osman’s hot start for the Cavaliers

So far this season, Cedi Osman has averaged 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, playing 29 minutes per night. Even crazier, he has not started a single game over the first 4 games, and has shot 52.4% from the field, 47.4% from deep, and 81.8% from the free throw line for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Furthemore, his offensive rating is a 134.7, ranking 14th in the league among qualified players, per Basketball Reference. He also is 17th in win shares per-48 minutes. Currently, Osman is on a scorching start early on in the season, and it is very impressive to watch.

Let’s review each game for Osman, starting with the first game of the season for the Cavaliers against the Toronto Raptors.

In his first regular season game this season in Toronto, he put up 17 points, which was 2nd-best on the team, while shooting 6-12 from the field and 3-6 from deep in a close loss. He also had a +7 +/-, which was also 2nd-best on the team. It’s also good to mention that Osman currently has the 5th-best +/- total in the league as of now, with a +56 total (Caris LeVert is also tied at 2nd with +57). In the game, Osman was very fluid with his shot, and made a solid amount of distance shots.

In the second game at the Chicago Bulls, Osman put up 15 points off the bench, while also putting up 4 assists and 2 rebounds in a blowout win. He was a +41 in only 26 minutes off the bench, which is the best +/- in one game this season. He shot 5-8 from the field, and 2-3 from distance. He was a main factor in the marginal victory against Chicago, playing solid defense and making good shots.

The next game against the Washington Wizards at home, he put up 16 points, shooting 6-10 from the field and 3-5 from distance in an overtime victory. He also put up 3 assists and 1 steal. However, he only had a +3, a far cry from the previous game, but still an okay +/-. He was a big helper in the OT win, playing 32 minutes that night.

Finally, in Wednesday’s win over the Orlando Magic, he was solid. Osman put up 14 points, 7 rebounds (including 2 offensive) and 3 assists. He had a +/- of +5, which is a good sight to see, as in all 4 games, he was a net positive for all. He also added in 1 block in this game, which shouldn’t be expected to happen all the time, but is still good to see.

If Osman can keep up this level of play, I think he has a shot to be able to win 6th Man of the Year. Obviously, he has some competitors, and that’s a stretch, in fairness. Malcolm Brogdon, Christian Wood, and Jordan Poole are all runners for the award, for instance.

Regardless, Osman’s play for the Cavaliers so far this season has been tremendous to see, and as of now, it doesn’t look like he will be stopping this level of play. Of course, it’s a small sample size, but Cedi has been playing really confident, and hopefully that, more than anything, continues.