Consider this: Our starters 1-3 are more or less elite (39-40%) 3pt shooters.
Donovan Mitchell took 9+ last year, Garland 6, and Strus took 7 with the Heat. I think we mostly agree that Garland should be shooting more so let’s assume he comes up to at least 7 (tho I’d prefer 8+) Just 1-3, you have elite outside shooters that take 24-25 shots from deep between them. That’s fantastic and makes up a large chunk of their overall shooting every night. Add Niang who takes about 5 a game and has been over 40% for 4 straight years and things get really serious as we’re at 30 attempts by our elite shooters only.
EDIT: Sartruk caught a mistake I made. meant as a group. Garland, Mitchell, Strus last year combined were 38.1% from deep. Add Niang for 38.6%.
The cavs averaged 31.5 attempts a game last year. That’s 24th in the NBA. Definitely a number we want to see come up.
I don’t want to get my hopes up too high that he can replicate it, but even Caris Levert shot 39.2% on 4.5 attempts a game last year. Okoro may be considered a weak spot but he’s knocking on the door of luring some defensive attention, as he’s at 38.7% over his last 110gms. Another nudge this yr in percentage and volume, and he’s not the weak link he once was. We haven’t gotten to Ty Jerome, who flirted with 50/40/90 in limited minutes last year. We know what Dean Wade is capable of when healthy. And by God, we have the human blowtorch Sam Merrill who shot 44% on 9 attempts in the G league last year, and obviously set the summer league completely on fire with his asinine marksmanship.
Not sure if anyone noticed as well, but backup C Damian Jones canned 10/14 3’s last year and is at 38% for his career.
I am just so [excited!](https://theclevelandsportsreport.net/2023/08/14/cavs-floor-spacing-has-dramatically-improved-with-fa-acquisitions/) Those two little additions of Niang and Strus just change the geometry of the floor so much. I can’t wait for people to see just how valuable having shooting at nearly every position is. That floor is about open TF up for Garland, Mitchell to do their thing above the arc, and Evan at the high post.
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I am also excited but I feel obligated to point out that Strus was a 35% 3 point shooter last year
I know he only shot 35% last year but it’s not like teams will just leave him alone out there. By default he opens up space on the floor.
The major hurdle with that is our bigs clogging things up. That is the one question mark I have for this season.
The shooting is going to help a lot. And will only get better once destiny manifests itself and we get PJ Washington.
I do hope to see us utilize more movement within the offense and not reduce these guys to spot up shooters playing off DG/Don PNR and Iso. That will also DG and Don maximize playing together
Hopefully the shooting changes the geometry of the floor, but there’s big time pressure on JB to install good offensive principles.
I’m hoping to see DG evolve beyond Trae (who he has surpassed) and start to steal more from Steph in terms of aggressive, high-motor, off ball movement.
I’d like to see Mitchell make decisions much more quickly. And I’d like to see Evan continue to put up more shots. I know we all hate mid-range, but he needs to be a threat to rise up and drain 6-12 foot jumpers.
What I’m hoping not to see:
1. Overuse of high PnR game
2. “Forced” post looks meant to “get Mobley going”. If he isn’t getting looks within the actual rhythm of the offense, that’s a problem.
3. DG standing at the 3/4 arc 3 feet behind the line every time Mitchell is touching the ball
I mostly agree but don’t think Garland needs to take a ton of shots. While he is a good shooter, his greatest skill and value to this team is his passing ability. I don’t really want him to force a lot of iso because that’s not his game and the Cavs need the ball movement he provides. If the ball is moving he will get plenty of shots within the flow of the offense.
On paper, yes but I remain skeptical due to the coach. JB isn’t an offensive minded coach
Plus Niang and Mitchell are really close friends. Really glad to see the MINIVAN joining the Cavs!!
Where did you get your 39.9% from deep as a group number from? They shot 37.9% combined from three last season. I know it’s not a *huge* difference, but it’s still an exaggeration.
Strus shot 33% last year lol