Cavs Season Predictions: Top Three New Additions, by: Jack Schill ’20

November 15, 2017

By now you should probably have heard the news of the Cleveland Cavaliers trading Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Nets 2018 first round pick, and a 2020 second round pick. After the trade you would have thought the Cavs were done making moves, that’s what we all thought at first until we acquired former Chicago Bulls shooting guard Dwyane Wade. There had been rumors that Wade and the Chicago Bulls were working on a buyout agreement and that if the buyout did happen Wade would most likely sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. All of that happen and mainly because the Cavs had one player Wade is very close to, and that’s Lebron James. We also acquired Jeff Green (Small Forward/Power Forward), Kendrick Perkins (Center), Jose Calderon (Point Guard), Cedi Osman (Small Forward), and surprisingly Derrick Rose. Now as you all probably know Derrick Rose hasn’t had the best luck in his NBA career, as he has had multiple knee surgeries limiting his playing time and not being able to explode to the basket as he used to before he was plagued with injuries. Now Derrick Rose is looking for a fresh new start in Cleveland as he will be the Cavs backup point guard, but for now he is the Cavs starting point guard since Isaiah Thomas is still recovering from his hip injury. The Cavs this year have really changed up their roster by acquiring some interesting talent to this ball club. So here are three players on the Cavs that are going to impact the team the most positively.

The Difference Makers

Minnesota Kevin Love: Height: 6,10, Age: 29

Experience: 9 years, Stat line last season: 19.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, PER: 21.18.

 “I know, I know….Love has been on this team for three years; however, we are going to see some of the Minnesota Kevin Love this year.” So far every season he has played with the Cavs his points per game have gone up each season. What’s also interesting is that the Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said, “But this year is going to be a big opportunity for him. We’re going to play through him more. He’s going to get those elbow touches again.” This could potentially mean that we could be seeing some Minnesota Kevin Love this season. Also Lue has moved Love to center and benched Tristan Thompson which means we could see a lot of rebounding from Love this season. This move is a good move by Lue too because this makes our starting lineup more spaced out and makes it hard for players like Andre Drummond to defend Kevin Love from the three point line. Even if centers do go out and try to defend Love at the three point line it just leaves the paint open for players like LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas, and Derrick Rose to score in. This year Kevin Love could make a huge leap in his career with the Cavs that could help them regain the championship title again.
Dwyane Wade: Height: 6,4, Age: 35, Experience: 15

Stat line last season: 18.3 points 3.8 assists 4.5 rebounds 31% from three point range, 1.4 steals

 At this age people are thinking Dwyane Wade career is coming to an end, but Wade has shown that he still has some left in the tank to win another championship title. Last season Dwyane Wade average 18.3 points 3.8 assists 4.5 rebounds 31% from three point range, and 1.4 steals per game with all star Jimmy Butler leading the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs as the 8th seed. Wade last season shoot almost a career high in three point percentage last season just short of his career high of 31.7 %. So don’t be surprised if Wade starts shooting the three well than he does normally. Also Wade can be a huge playmaker for the Cavs when LeBron is off the floor which gives the Cavs a huge boost. Plus Wade has proven to be a solid defender averaging 1.4 steals per game last season with the Chicago Bulls. But what going to make Wade more impactful is that his playing with his best and closest friend LeBron James. Wade said at the Cavs practice when asked about him and LeBron playing together, “It’s like peanut butter and jelly, man, we just go together.” With LeBron and Wade’s amazing on court chemistry will make it hard for teams to stop them when they’re on the court together. The Cavs picking up Dwyane Wade gives them a player with championship experience that could help them win another NBA championship title.
Jae Crowder: Height: 6,6, Age: 27, Experience: 5 years, Stats last season: 13.9 points, 2.2 assists 5.8, 39.8% from three point range, 1.0 steals. PER: 14.99 Jae Crowder who was acquired in the Kyrie Irving trade, is exactly what the Cavs needed. Jae Crowder Crowder last season with the Boston Celtics had a career high in three point percentage with 39.8%. In each of his seasons he has improve on his three point shot so if you see him knocking three pointers down at a high percentage don’t be surprised. Plus Jae Crowder gives Lebron another passing option to go along with Korver, Frye, Love, and J.R Smith. Not only is Jae Crowder a plus on offence, but he is a plus on defence too. What Crowder brings on defence is that defencive intensity that the Cavs have desperately needed since Matthew Dellavedova has left the Cavs. In most of his seasons he has average at least 1 steal per game. With the Cavs acquiring  Jae Crowder the Cavs improve both offensively and defensively.

 

These three players are the ones that will decide if the Cavs can become NBA champions again.