After playing 15 minutes last season, Ty Jerome has become a pivotal piece to the Cavs’ historic start.
In the 2023-24 season, Ty Jerome suffered a right ankle impingement that kept him out for nearly the entire year. He underwent a successful arthroscopic surgery on January 23rd, 2024.
https://twitter.com/UVaHoopsRiffs/status/1839737136305557590
He received heavy praise during training camp and as the Cavaliers have fought their way to a 13-0 start.
Impact!
Through 13 games, Jerome is averaging 10 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 1.4 spg on 73.8% true shooting in just 16.2 minutes per game!
At 6-foot-5, Jerome has the size to play multiple positions. According to Basketball Reference, Ty has played 32% of his minutes at the small forward position this season. This type of versatility has allowed the Cavs’ head coach Kenny Atkinson to employ him in some unique lineups.
In the game versus the Philadelphia 76ers, we saw the fourth quarter open up with a three-guard lineup: Donovan Mitchell, Craig Porter Jr, Ty Jerome, Dean Wade, and Evan Mobley. Within 10 seconds Jerome, cashed a three to give the Cavs a seven-point lead. This was after not playing the entire third quarter.
This is an example of his ability to impact the game off the bench, even in limited minutes. In 211 total minutes played, Jerome has a plus/minus per 100 possessions of +8.9.
Another example of Jerome’s lineup versatility came against the Bulls on November 11th. In the third quarter, the Cavs found themselves down seven. At the 4:42 mark, Dean Wade subbed in for Mobley, and Kenny trusted an all-bench lineup of Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Caris LeVert, Dean Wade, and Georges Niang to close the quarter.
This time, Jerome acted as the point guard and came up with two steals, six points, and a three-point lead. This type of juice allowed the starters to rest and gave the team the energy boost they needed to close out the game.
Before the single-game slate on November 14th, the Cavs are one of five teams to play 13 games. Somehow, the Cavs have played a game every other day besides the three back-to-backs they have played in.
Closing Thoughts
With Ty Jerome playing the way he is, there is less worry about fatigue and overuse. Atkinson knows he can trust Jerome to step up anytime, allowing him to run the show or be a chaos agent for stretches. Last season, there was a heavy reliance on Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. This season, the ball is spread out more and everybody can eat.
These factors have played a large role in the Cavs’ hot start and have allowed them to get multiple people going at once. This versatility is something that should pay off in the long term, aka April, May and June.
https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1856411607758176767
The race for the sixth man of the year may not possess the excitement of the MVP race, but for Cavs fans, it means something.
In the 42-year history of the Sixth Man of the Year award, the Cavs have never had someone win.
Is this the year history is made in Cleveland?
Leave a comment