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September 21, 2017Although it seems like the NBA Finals just ended weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for the 2017-18 season, which begins on October 17 this year. With less than a month before the opening tip of the season, most of the Cavs are in California at UC-Santa Barbara for LeBron James’ annual pre-training camp team workout.
With plenty of new faces on the team, this is the first time since James’ return to Cleveland in 2014 that there is plenty of intriguing parts heading into training camp. When will Isaiah Thomas and his hip be ready to play? Can Derrick Rose be a significant addition to the team? What will all the new players bring to the wine and gold?
Those, along with plenty of other questions, are what make this training camp very interesting. On ESPN’s The Jump on Wednesday, Cavs reporter Dave McMenamin had some interesting things to see. Here’s the clip:
Two of the biggest takeaways from all that McMenamin said: Rose is “killing it” so far in team camp, and James is invested in helping the point guard achieve his goal of getting another significant payday before he retires.
Due to Rose’s nagging knee injuries throughout his career, teams have been somewhat scared to take a long-term chance on him. How concerned, you ask? Coming off a season in which he averaged 18 points (best since 2011-12), 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor (best since his 2009-10 season) in 32.5 minutes per game (most since 2011-12), no one would give him significant money, so he signed with the Cavs for the veteran’s minimum.
While he took a chance on himself, he couldn’t have put himself in a better situation. Not only will he play alongside the best player in the world, but with Thomas’ hip injury, Rose will begin the season as Cleveland’s starting point guard. With James wanting to get Rose another significant deal along with the point guard knowing that his next contract solely depends on how he performs this season, if he can stay healthy, it’s the perfect situation for both Rose and the Cavs.
Along with talking about Rose and how he is turning plenty of his teammates’ heads in camp, McMenamin also talked about how motivated the Cavs are this year. In seasons past, it was hard for the team to be motivated for the regular season outside of a game here and there. With the wine and gold set to host Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics in their season opener, that’s all the motivation the Cavs need. It will definitely be interesting to see how James and the Cavs play from the start given the changes that have taken place and the motivation they will have right away.
Many seem to think that the Celtics are now the best team in the East, but if Rose stays healthy, Cleveland will be the class of the East even without Thomas. Just remember, a motivated and angry LeBron James is a very good one, teams across the NBA better be prepared for The King to dominate this season.
6 Comments
There were some times even last year that Rose looked unstoppable. But I think he needs to be around 24 minutes a night MAX.
Who thinks Boston is better?
ESPN’s BPI has the Celtics 4th and the Cavs 6th in their first 2017-18 season rankings. It looks like the major item holding the Cavs back in the rankings is their -0.3 rating on Defense compared to Boston’s 1.5. Do they know the Cavs worst defensive player got traded to Boston and Boston’s best 2 got traded away, including one to the Cavs? Anyway, the Cavs are 2nd in offensive ratings. Numerical values aside, I think the Thunder are a stretch at #5, even with Paul George, and the Cavs and Celtics should be swapped. Chicago is last, FWIW.
1. Warriors
2. Rockets
3. Spurs
4. Celtics
5. Thunder
6. Cavs
The Oompa Loompa isn’t a major drop off from KI, and Crowder is head and shoulders better than whatever pensioner the Cavs were going to bring off the bench, and a 75% Rose is still a quality addition.
The Four Letter may be disappointed in our failure to die in a loud, grotesque military manner.
And the Four Letter can place us behind as many Western Conference teams as they want. We only have to beat one of them.
I think there’s a tendency at the mothership to associate star power directly with how good a player is. The Cavs MUST be diminished if they lost a superstar, but I agree Isaiah Thomas isn’t a major drop-off. Last year – though it could be his career peak – he was as good as Kyrie. I figure KI for IT4, D-Will for Rose, and Jefferson/Other-D-Will minutes for Jae is a clear net positive. The Celtics are tougher to peg, but it’s obvious they made their moves looking at next year and beyond. I don’t think they’re any better than last year.
Big health questions, but if everybody is on the court come playoff time, I think the Cavs are clearly better than last year. (even before they sign Wade post-buyout and trade TT+pick for Boogie in January…)
Cousins is a massive upgrade over TT, but he is such a loon.