With the NBA playoffs starting in two weeks, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of decisions to make. They have roster issues, and good ones to have in the grand scheme of things.
Right now, they have 13 guys who can contribute. That’s been great considering all of the injuries the squad has had this season. Players like Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic have stepped up when called upon, something that no one could have foreseen going into the season.
You have to think coach Tyronn Lue will go nine deep when the playoffs start on April 14th or 15th, which means four players aren’t going to see the floor when the post-season starts.
And after seeing George Hill go down with an ankle injury last night, we are assuming the players are healthy too.
Several of the choices are no brainers. Lue would lose his job immediately if he decided LeBron James and Kevin Love were not part of the rotation.
We would eliminate Zizic because right now, Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson are playing very well. Thompson has been a rebounding machine since returning from his ankle sprain, although we would like to see him guarding smaller players on the perimeter lessened. He may have lost a step of quickness.
When he gets healthy, Hill will be the starter at the point. He has played solid defense since arriving in Cleveland, and he is starting to learn how to play with James.
Jordan Clarkson has been a constant in his role since coming over from the Lakers, that being the sixth man. He’s averaging 13.5 points per night on 47% shooting (41% from three), and if he’s got it going, he can change a game with his scoring.
Jeff Green can play the three, four, and five spots, and has also guarded smaller players at times this season. For example, he did a solid job on James Harden when the Cavs lost a close one in Houston early in the year. He’s going to get minutes.
That leaves Kyle Korver, Rodney Hood, Jose Calderon, and JR Smith battling for two spots.
The first instinct would say Calderon will be the odd man out, but the reality is, when he plays, the Cavaliers play much better. Look at last night’s game as a prime example. Calderon came into the game with 6:22 left in the third quarter and the wine and gold down by 12, at the end of the quarter, Cleveland was up one.
Some might consider it a coincidence, but remember, the veteran was a starter when the Cavs won 18 of 19 games in November and December.
Hood has had back issues, but since returning to the lineup has put up four straight double figure scoring games.
When Smith plays like he did in Charlotte on Wednesday, he reminds us of his role in the title season of 2015-16, unfortunately that hasn’t been the norm this year. He is shooting less than 40% from the field (37% from three) and his defense has dropped off too.
As for Korver, when he is making shots, he is a force. He can change a game, but when he’s not making them, there is no reason for him to play.
So, perhaps Lue will go away from conventional wisdom and play ten, which leaves one of this quartet out, otherwise two of them will collect DNP-CDs.
Our guess is that he will go with Hood and Smith initially, knowing Korver and Calderon keep themselves ready and he can go to them if someone isn’t playing well.
If you went on merit, Smith might be the odd man out. That’s tough to say, but in watching this team all season, that’s the right answer.
Our worry is that Lue will be stubborn and keep playing guys who aren’t getting it done. That’s what we’ve seen all year, but we are hoping the coaching staff looks at things differently come playoff time.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 