Goal #2: A Defensive Rating in the Top Half of the NBA
Cleveland was one of the worst defensive teams in the league last year. Only the Phoenix Suns had a worse defensive rating. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ rotation changed repeatedly, and that constantly led to missed assignments. Opponents feasted on an older Cleveland roster (even after their mid-season trade overhaul) while taking advantage of mismatches. That then led to premature over-helping, too.
The Cavs were the worst team defending in isolation, and only three teams graded lower against spot-ups, per Synergy Sports Technology. More youth, and likely less major roster turnover at one-time mid-season should result in more crisp rotations. Osman, Sexton, recent signing David Nwaba (as our own Tyler Berry noted), and Nance all project as plus defenders in the rotation.
Osman is an instinctive athlete that can legitimately defend one through three, and he routinely gets deflections when sagging into passing lanes. Combined with Hood defending 2’s and some 3’s off-ball (when motivated), and Nwaba’s length and athleticism, the wing defense should be much improved.
Smith and especially Korver have their moments with splash defensive plays, too, but they should not be logging big minutes. On point guards, Hill or Sexton’s ball pressure should grade out as above average.
On the interior, Love should at least be able to hold his own at times against post players, as he graded in the 60th percentile last season in those situations, per Synergy. Behind him, Nance is viable switching on to ball handlers and he gets his share of hustle blocks and steals in help situations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9VEWDAv_w
Thompson has regressed defensively in the last few seasons, but with him likely being healthier, that helps. He should at least be respectable against post players and rim runners. His defense on the uber-versatile Al Horford last postseason illustrated that.
Thirdly, Cleveland needs to aim to have six scorers averaging double figures.
Next Up: Goal 1
