From Lloyd's final thoughts:
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3. The Cavs did try to upgrade the backup point guard position prior to the trade deadline, but couldn’t execute a deal. That means Delly will remain the backup, but Shumpert could be looming as a wild card.
4. To be clear, James and Kyrie Irving will be the primary ball handlers in the postseason. But strange things seem to happen in playoff series and the Cavs have plenty of options available at multiple positions to mix and match as necessary. They’re deep at wing, they have frontcourt depth now with the addition of Kendrick Perkins. They can play big and physical or go small and run. But the one place they remain limited is point guard since there are only two on the roster and Delly’s limitations are evident.
5. So Blatt took this opportunity to put the ball in Shumpert’s hands and he delivered mixed results. Shumpert had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five turnovers. He was a point guard until he reached the NBA, but now he is considered a “3 and D” player.
6. Shumpert conceded he was overly excited to have the ball in his hands again and was rushing in the first half. The coaches told him at halftime to slow down and relax. He responded with 12 points, eight rebounds and only two turnovers in more than 23 minutes in the second half.
7. “I played (point guard) most of my life, then when I got to the pros I had to learn the other stuff,” Shumpert said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had the ball in my hands. Not only do you gotta knock the rust off, you’ve got to get used to the new guys you’re playing with.”
13. That brings it back to Shumpert and Friday’s opportunity to take a good look at him with the ball in his hands. He didn’t sound overly sold on the idea, but Shumpert could at least be that “break glass in case of emergency” option at point guard that Perkins will likely become at center.
14. “A game like this kind of helps you gauge that,” Blatt said. “I thought Iman did pretty well. A lot of it has to do with what we run to make it easier for him. Iman in the past has played a little bit of point. It’s not his natural position, it’s not what you want to go to the bank with, but in a moment of need he can do the job.”
