King James Gospel
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3 players the Knicks have and that the Cavaliers lack

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Hart #3 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 101-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Hart #3 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 101-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Josh Hart, New York Knicks. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images /

Player No. 1: Josh Hart, rebounding

Rebounding has been a major issue for the Cleveland Cavaliers in this series, and it wasn’t exactly a strength of theirs in the regular season. Despite starting two bigs the vast majority of the time, the Cavs ranked just 17th in offensive rebounding percentage (rebounding 23.6 percent of their misses) and 13th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.3 percent).

The issue is that despite their size they don’t have players who are out-rebounding their position. Jarrett Allen is a good rebounder, but he isn’t plowing guys out of the way down low and truly cleaning the glass. Mitchell Robinson, his counterpart on the Knicks, is the same age and general size as Allen; Allen was a slightly better defensive rebounder this season, but Robinson crushes Allen in offensive rebounding percentage and therefore overall rebounding percentage. Add in another 24-year-old in Isaiah Hartenstein, the Knicks’ backup center, and you get a player who again out-rebounds Allen on the offensive glass and in total rebounding.

The problem isn’t just at center, though, but up the lineup. The Cavs don’t have players who are outrebounding their position. On Sunday in Game 4 Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for six rebounds; Jalen Brunson alone had that many. Josh Hart, ostensibly the starting small forward, pulled down seven rebounds.

For the series, Josh Hart has 27 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Mitchell, Garland and Caris LeVert combined have just six offensive rebounds. The Cavaliers just don’t have a player like Hart who can outrebound larger players to keep possessions alive, not on a regular basis like Hart is doing. He is closing games out by flying in to grab these boards, and the twin towers of the Cavaliers seem powerless to stop him.