Wiggins, Bennett lead Cavs to 2-0 record to start Las Vegas Summer League. Will the success translate to the regular season?
Andrew Wiggins
Stats against Milwaukee: 18 pts (7-18 FG, 1-8 3P), 3 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk, 1 to
Stats against San Antonio: 13 pts (3-11 FG, 1-3 3P), 3 reb, 1 stl, 2 blk, 2 to
Wiggins was impressive in his first Summer League game against Jabari Parker’s Bucks. After a draft night in which both Parker and Wiggins were considered good options for the number one pick, Wiggins did not disappoint as a player who could one day be a franchise pillar. Wiggins scored in a variety of ways, showing the ability to break out in transition, move competently without the ball, and displayed a quick step back jump shot that he converted on multiple occasions. Wiggins struggled from 3-point range, but did not take many bad shots. 1-for-8 from beyond the arc, Wiggins showed good form, and should knock down more 3’s as summer league advances. Defensively, Wiggins length bothered the Bucks’ guards, though he was, at times, overpowered inside by Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In game two against San Antonio, Wiggins was matched up against Kyle Anderson for long stretches. He helped hold Anderson to just two points and no assists in a terrific defensive performance. Offensively, Wiggins hit a pair of outside shots in the first quarter off the dribble but was relatively quiet for the rest of the game. While he struggled some with his shooting, he was able to get to the line frequently. While Wiggins was praised by the commentators for his unselfishness, he did not record an assist through his first two games. Overall, David Blatt and the Cavs should be very excited about their most recent number one pick.
Anthony Bennett
Stats against Milwaukee: 15 pts (6-15 FG, 1-5 3P), 7 reb, 2 stl, 2 to, 8 fouls
Stats against San Antonio: 13 pts (5-8 FG, 1-3 3P), 14 reb, 2 ast, 2 to, 0 fouls
Bennett had a Jekyll and Hyde type of first game. Offensively, Bennett showed flashes of being able to score both inside and out, and picked up a couple of timely offensive rebounds that led to second chances. Defensively, Bennett struggled when guarding quicker players, particularly Antetokounmpo. On multiple occasions, Bennett was beat off the dribble to the rim, or was forced to foul (he had 8 on the night). Bennett looks slimmer and in better shape, though he still appears to be better suited to play a stretch-4 at the next level.
Game two was a whole different story for Bennett. Showing a mix of power and finesse, Bennett was more active on the glass and sunk a trio of perimeter jump shots, including a 3 that opened the scoring for the team. While fouls plagued Bennett in game one, he was lighter on his feet and did not commit a foul against San Antonio. Facing off against Austin Daye and Jeff Ayres, Bennett more than held his own and could still be a gem for Cleveland. He is showing he can play some small forward, though he is still a better fit as a power forward at the NBA level.
Alex Kirk
Stats against Milwaukee: 6 pts (3-6 FG, 0-1 3P), 12 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 4 to, 5 fouls
Stats against San Antonio: 6 pts (2-3 FG), 2 reb, 2 to
After going undrafted in June, Kirk looked the part of a complimentary big man in his first summer league game. Kirk showed the ability to set good screens to free Matthew Dellavedova and was able to connect on a few mid-range jump shots. His one assist was a terrific back-door pass to Wiggins, who finished with a dunk. Defensively, Kirk is strong, but not quick.
Kirk did not start against San Antonio, as he had done in the previous game against Milwaukee, and did not have as great of an impact off of the bench. Kirk was effective setting screens, but was largely non-existent. While he could make the Cavs squad as a fifth or sixth big man, he is better suited to life in the D-League next season.
Matthew Dellavedova
Stats against Milwaukee: 13 pts (3-11 FG, 1-6 3P), 9 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 6 to, 5 fouls
Stats against San Antonio: 3 pts (1-3 FG, 1-2 3P), 1 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 2 to, 5 fouls
Dellavedova has a guaranteed contract for next season, and he showed the ability to run a team, despite a high number of turnovers. He was able to find Wiggins multiple times with on-point passes in transition and looked comfortable running the pick and roll. He struggled shooting the ball, but has been an above-average shooter for his career. Defensively, he struggled with Wolters some off the dribble, but he showed intensity on that side of the ball.
The former St. Mary’s Gael was more efficient against San Antonio where he was matched up with Bryce Cotton. Dellavedova was able to cut down on his turnovers and showed a knack for making the extra pass to help a teammate score. His role offensively seemed to be toned down after game one, though he did not find the same number of open 3-pointers that were present against Milwaukee. As Summer League continues, Dellavedova’s experience should help the Cavs advance though the bracket.
Scotty Hopson
Stats against Milwaukee: 7 pts (2-4 FG, 1-2 3P), 1 reb, 1 ast, 2 to
Stats against San Antonio: DNP-Traded to Houston
Hopson started the game, but played less than a pair of the Cavs’ substitutes. The Tennessee alum only played in two NBA games last year, and he is not a lock to make the Cavs roster this upcoming season. Hopson’s athleticism was present defensively, though overall he failed to make much of an impact on the game. The presence of Wiggins in a similar position may have hindered his ability to be a greater part of the offense. Hopson did not play against San Antonio because he was traded to Houston.
Carrick Felix
Stats against Milwaukee: 0 pts (0-2 FG), 1 reb, 2 stl, 2 to
Stats against San Antonio: 7 pts (3-5 FG, 0-2 3P), 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl
The 33rd pick in the 2013 Draft, Felix played in only seven games a rookie last year. The game against Milwaukee gave little reason for excitement. He used his length well to pick up a pair of steals, but was a near ghost offensively, taking a pair of shots, and getting one of them blocked. Felix has a guaranteed contract, but like Hopson, was not a focal point of the Cavs’ attack.
Felix played more against San Antonio and rewarded his team with efficient play. His NBA-level athleticism was on display, in particular on a play where he made an athletic steal and drove the length of the court and earned two free throws. While his outside shot still appears to be a work in progress, Felix could have potential as a deep wing option for Blatt in 2015.
Joe Harris
Stats against Milwaukee: DNP-CD
Stats against San Antonio: 4 pts (2-6 FG, 0-3 3P), 1 blk, 1 to
Harris, the 33rd pick in the 2014 Draft, did not play against Milwaukee. Against San Antonio, Harris started, but was largely ineffective. He had a tough time finding an open jump shot, which is his specialty. His ball handling looked shaky at times as well. He showed promise defensively against the smaller Marcus Denmon, using his strength to deter his opponent from driving. It is too early to draw conclusions about Harris, and more time next to Wiggins in the Las Vegas Summer League should lead to more open 3’s.
Will Cherry
Stats against Milwaukee: 7 pts (3-5 FG, 0-1 3P), 3 reb, 1 ast, 4 fouls
Stats against San Antonio: 21 pts (9-13 FG, 3-5 3P), 7 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl
A former University of Montana guard, Cherry handled the backup point guard duties for Cleveland behind Dellavedova. Cherry showed the ability to pull up and knock down jump shots from 15-18 feet and did not turn the ball over despite being in control for a good portion of the game. He was efficient and held his own defensively, and he was exactly what Blatt needed in a summer-league backup.
The small guard had a big afternoon against San Antonio, scoring 21 points to lead all scorers. At one point, he scored 14 consecutive in the fourth quarter. He showed the ability to score from all over the court and set up Bennett for a two-handed tomahawk dunk to push the game out of question. His scoring spark came with some flair – for better and for worse – and helped the Cavaliers push their record to 2-0. Unfortunately, Cherry is a vast long shot to make the Cavs roster.
Jack Cooley
Stats against Milwaukee: 4 pts (2-4 FG, 0-1 3P), 5 reb, 1 stl
Stats against San Antonio: 15 pts (6-9 FG, 0-1 3P), 5 reb, 3 to
Cooley went undrafted in 2013 after being tasked with being Luke Harangody’s replacement at Notre Dame. After playing in Turkey last season, Cooley had an efficient performance in his first summer league game. Cooley helped patrol the glass and hold Johnny O’Bryant and Kenny Kadji to only five combined rebounds. The reserve had a nice first performance.
Cooley earned the start against San Antonio, taking Kirk’s spot in the middle. He was very efficient and was able to convert many baskets after the dump off from a teammate. He showed the ability to shoot out to 15 feet. Defensively, Cooley is not athletic and was overmatched against Ayers and JaMychal Green. As Summer League progresses, Cooley did well enough to continue to earn significant minutes.
Shane Edwards
Stats against Milwaukee: 0 pts (0-2 FG, 0-1 3P)
Stats against San Antonio: 0 pts, 2 reb, 2 to
Edwards, a 27-year old forward who has spent the last few years in the D-League and overseas, saw two games in the NBA last year on a 10-day contract with the Cavs. A 6-7 stretch four, Edwards failed to impress against both teams.
Steven Gray
Stats against Milwaukee: 0 pts, 1 to
Stats against San Antonio: DNP-CD
The former Gonzaga guard only played 2:54 against Milwaukee and did not appear against San Antonio. Gray is not a realistic choice to make the Cavs roster. He spent last season playing in France.
Jayson Granger
Stats against Milwaukee: 0 pts, 1 reb, 1 to
Stats against San Antonio: 0 pts (0-3 FG, 0-2 3P), 1 to
Granger went undrafted as an international candidate in 2011. He has played in Spain since 2006 and is unlikely to make an NBA team. He only played three minutes against Milwaukee and had little effect on the game. Granger played nearly eight minutes against the Spurs, but was slow defensively and could not convert on his three shot attempts.
Dwight Powell
Stats against Milwaukee: DNP-NWT
Stats against San Antonio: 2 min, 0 pts
Powell was forced to a late start with Cleveland’s summer league team, as he was part of a draft-day trade that involved already established NBA players. Due to the presence of non-draft picks, Powell was forced to wait until the trade became final on July 10. Due to his late arrival, he was unable to see the floor against Milwaukee and only played two minutes at the end of the first quarter against San Antonio. His court time should increase exponentially for the next pair of games.
Sergey Karasev
Karasev is listed on Cleveland’s summer league roster, but was traded to Brooklyn with Jarrett Jack in order to create the cap space to allow LeBron James to sign with the team.
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