Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 key players not named LeBron, Kyrie or Kevin
By Glenn Moore
The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2014-15 season with some new (and familiar) faces. The last four years have been rough for Kyrie Irving and the organization, who suffered some of the most trying times in franchise history.
With the return of LeBron James and addition of All-Star Kevin Love, the Cavaliers are favorites not only to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, but to win it all.
The return of James to the team he played with for the first seven years of his career has put Cleveland back on the basketball map. Taking a look at the training camp roster, only five players (Irving, Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, Matthew Dellavedova) return from last year’s team.
With new faces come playoff experience and talent. New head coach David Blatt will have the tough task of juggling minutes and an offensive scheme that will fit the young core with the veterans.
But outside of James, Love and Irving, who are the key players that need to step up in order for the Cavaliers to have a chance to bring a championship to Cleveland? Here are five valuable players outside ‘The Big 3’:
1. Dion Waiters, SG
A lot of questions surround Waiters going into training camp. Will he be able to build chemistry with his new teammates? Will he buy into Blatt’s system? Will his shooting improve?
The rift between Waiters and Irving is well-known. Losing does that to teammates. But it does provide a red flag for the 22-year-old. He will be in the spotlight for most of the season. Everything he does will be watched and analyzed. Mix in that he will most likely be starting, his role will be important in Blatt’s system.
Waiters is a strong 3-point shooter though, and while he won’t get as many looks as he did last year, he should benefit from Blatt’s system.
The question is can he do what’s right for the team and handle not taking as many shots? If he can, the Cavaliers will be that much better.
2. Tristan Thompson, PF/C
Thompson is my X-factor for the Cavaliers this season. Will he play forward? Can he move and be effective at center? Will he be traded later in the season?
While trading Thompson is possible, considering he reportedly will be asking for around $11 million a year, I don’t see it happening if he can adjust moving positions. Coming off the bench would benefit the Cavs and Thompson best. His best qualities and production are maximized when he plays around 30 minutes per game and is able to score 10-12 points per game and grab 8-10 rebounds.
Giving Varejao some rest during the game will also be key. On the defensive side of the floor, Thompson will flourish as he improves as a shot blocker. One worry is that the additions of James and Love will hinder the development of Thompson by cutting into his playing time. Or if the youngster will press and try to impress his new teammates, and fall back into old habits.
With the veteran leadership of James and Love, they should be able to calm down Thompson and keep him comfortable. If he can do these things when called-upon, he will be rewarded with a new contract. Just not at the $11 million level.
3. Mike Miller, SG
A free agent acquisition, Miller brings a sharp eye from 3-point range and isn’t a liability on defense.
He will benefit from having James drive to the basket and demand attention, and be able to knock down shots from the wing when James kicks it back out. But can he stay healthy? He’s a year older and with plenty of other talented players on the roster, worst case scenario for Miller is that he doesn’t shoot the ball well and is slow on defense.
Miller’s touches will shrink and he will need to make the best of what he’s given. Entering his 15th season, he seems to have accepted that fact. But with other sharp shooters (James Jones, Love, Irving) on the roster, he will have to hold his minutes down with knocking down shots.
4. Anderson Varejao, C
If Varejao can play almost a full season without injury, the Cavaliers’ center position will be locked down and they won’t have to look elsewhere (trade) later in the season.
With Thompson helping out Varejao, the wild-haired Brazilian won’t be called upon to play the same amount of minutes as previous seasons. That translates into more rest and less likely to be injured. Short spurts on the court means more “spark plug” energy from Varejao, which makes the other team nuts down low. Just ask other centers around the league.
Having James back as a teammate should also inject energy into the 31-year-old. Even if Varejao can knock down the elbow jumper, he becomes the fifth of sixth option to score. Which takes pressure off Varejao and lets him do the little things that makes him a crowd favorite.
All this is dependent on Varejao staying healthy.
5. Shawn Marion, F
Another veteran free agent addition by James and the Cavaliers. He can hit the 3-point shot effectively, rebound and can play defense. Everything you need to play well in Blatt’s system. He’s not the same player he was years ago, and his age (36) is a concern.
But with so many other players that can contribute, he won’t be called upon to carry the load. More importantly, he can come in and be able to guard other big men down low, which frees up James from doing dirty work on defense for a few minutes.
And if he has lost a step, youngsters coming off the bench will help tighten the holes. If Marion can knock down a few key shots a night and move the ball around for James and Love, the Cavaliers bench will benefit from his play.
The Cavaliers’ success will depend on Blatt making sure roles are defined and everyone accepting reduced minutes and shots. Playing good defense and running the floor will not only make the Cavaliers favorites in the East, but be able to bring Cleveland their first championship since 1964.
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