Beauty in the scrap: Lamar Stevens is providing more than vibes for Cavs

After it appeared that he could very well be out of the rotation for the Cleveland Cavaliers not too long ago, Lamar Stevens has been re-inserted as one of Cleveland’s regulars. It wasn’t as if Stevens was not capable previously, there were just a bunch of others involved, and to some extent, Kevin Love was prior to his buyout agreement with the Cavaliers.

In Stevens’ case, he’s had more of an opportunity of late, with 20.3 minutes per outing in Cleveland’s last 10 contests, which included two spot starts in the last two-game set at the Charlotte Hornets.

In the 10-game stretch before Cleveland’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, Stevens hadn’t blown any doors off offensively with 6.4 points per game, on 5.2 shot attempts on average. He’d shot 31.3 percent from three-point range in that time. Stevens hit two-of-three from deep on Wednesday, but he and Cleveland’s other starters in that one didn’t get off to a good start in the first quarter then, and he only played 12 minutes.

Typically, Cleveland is not going to be trotting Stevens out there for significant offensive contributions, though. When he’s been involved rotationally for the Cavaliers on at least a somewhat regular basis, it’s been his defense that has been his calling card, and that’s still played out for the most part.

Stevens has largely given the Cavs energy on both ends of late, and while he’s long been known as one of the vocal leaders and crucial locker room guys for the Wine and Gold, his on-floor play recently has been big.

Stevens’ style of play isn’t necessarily glamorous, but he’s providing more than great vibes for this Cavs squad.

When he has been a rotational contributor regularly for Cleveland, Stevens has made an impact as an effective wing defender, as he also did last season when called upon. In recent weeks since being back in for stretches, he has held his own in that regard, and while there’s still some growing pains for him against difficult matchups on-ball, the Cavaliers should be pleased with what he’s given them there.

Along with the on-ball defense, Stevens has been a factor on the glass on both ends, whether he’s been a bench contributor or spot starter.

In this 10-game stretch, he’s had 4.4 boards per outing, including 1.7 offensive, and in Cleveland’s comeback over the Boston Celtics last week, he registered six offensive boards. His energy there, and finishing on the interior was essential for the Cavaliers turning things around in that game, albeit against a shorthanded Boston team on the second night of a back-to-back.

Still, no matter what the scenarios have been, Stevens has consistently made multiple-effort plays for the Cavs in recent weeks. Further, as J.B. Bickerstaff has loved to say since last season about the teams’ effort, via Kelsey Russo of The Athletic (subscription required), Stevens has been instrumental in Cleveland “winning the scrap.”

He’s been a helpful rotator on defense, is always in the mix when it comes to recovering loose balls, aids the Cavaliers’ rebounding positioning, and whether or not he’s received passes, his assertive cuts have been meaningful throughout offensive possessions. Among Cavs players in the last 10 games (of which he’s appeared in nine), Stevens has been fourth, excluding Isaiah Mobley (one appearance) rebounding rate, at 11.3 percent. He’s second among rotational players in net rating in that span, with Darius Garland’s mark (plus-14.5) only topping that of Stevens (plus-11.6).

While Stevens does have his flaws, and at times can be prone to taking some bad shots, his tenacity, physical play and impact from will and strength has given the Cavs juice of late.

Now, it’s reasonable to question if the Cavaliers should be instead starting Dean Wade next to Evan Mobley, for shooting potential at least, in this time sans Allen. But with the confidence Stevens has shown, and some flashes of creation, it’s feasible why he’s been in that role or in more off the bench than Wade, who has been struggling and since mostly out of the lineup. Either way, I still want to see some more legit Cedi Osman minutes, with the offensive lift he can provide, as an aside, even despite his hot and cold nature.

As it pertains to Stevens, however, though it seemed he might be out of the rotation not too long ago, one has to acknowledge he’s found ways to affect games for Cleveland. And not discounting his locker room presence as the original Mr. Junkyard Dog Chain himself, he’s proving to be more than a vibes guy.