The Cleveland Cavaliers have started 6-0 for the first time since the 2016-17 season.
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Early on, the Cavaliers look like they’re in mid-season form. As of November 1, the Cavs possess a near-top offensive rating of 122.4. How is this possible? Outside of two-way contracts, the organization only added Jaylon Tyson to last year’s squad.
Let’s dig in.
Shot Location
Last year, the team shot 13.6 shots per game from the 20-24 feet range (long 2’s and 3-pointers). Six games into this season, the Cavs are averaging 16.7 shots per game from the same zone.
Last season, the Cavs took 22.8 shots per game from the 25-29 feet range (long 3’s). This year, the team is shooting 20.3 shots per game from that range.
Kenny Atkinson has traded a few long threes for corner threes and shots at the rim. These are more efficient shots and the team is benefiting tremendously. Cleveland currently leads the NBA in true shooting and effective field-goal percentage.
Darius Garland (.242) and Donovan Mitchell (.143) are shooting the highest threes from the corners of their careers.
PACE!
As mentioned in this article, Atkinson has pushed the team to increase their pace. The increase in pace has carried over from the pre-season. Cleveland hoists a 101.7 pace, good for eighth in the NBA.
Pace is great because it means you’re not playing late into the shot clock as much. Shots in the four-second or less range reduce efficiency.
The Cavaliers are second in shots within the 18-15 seconds left range. This attention to quicker shots bleeds into their transition play, where the team is second in the league in points off turnovers.
Take this play for example. Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell are working to contain Mitchell as he crosses half-court. Mitchell simply does not care and dusts both for what could’ve been a shot at the rim. Instead, he notices that Rui Hachimura helps and flips a pass to Dean Wade in the corner for three with 17 seconds on the shot clock.
This has been a focus all summer and pre-season. Use Garland and Mitchell’s abilities to play fast while under control to generate quicker, better shots.
Double Bigs!
Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have started the season on a mission. A mission to prove any negative discourse wrong.
Allen is averaging 17.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Mobley is averaging 19.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
Against the Lakers, Allen dominated. He ended with 20 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks.
Mobley struggled with foul trouble and only logged 18 minutes and 45 seconds. Yet he still ended with 25 points. Mobley did most of his damage in the fourth quarter where he went 8/9 in six minutes and 44 seconds.
Evan Mobley has seen a big uptick in his role. Last season, Mobley averaged 4.7 drives per game. This season? That number is up to nine per game.
Notice Donovan Mitchell encouraging Mobley to push the ball even though LeBron James is guarding him. Without hesitation, Mobley sizes LeBron up and blows right past him for a one-handed lay-up.
Closing Thoughts
All of these developments have aided the team in their hot start. Kenny Atkinson has reimagined the team’s offense, which has welcomed some great early returns. It’s easy to tell that the team enjoys playing with each other and the re-focus could lead to greater achievements.
Dean Wade, replacing the injured Max Strus in the starting lineup, has made the team even bigger. This has bothered some star players such as Jalen Brunson, who shot 8/24 in their first matchup. Wade’s aggression as a shooter has eased the temporary loss of Strus.
Ty Jerome has been another early hero of the year, averaging 11.4 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Can the Cavs continue their winning ways? How long will they stay atop the East? Enjoy the show.
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