2023-24 Regular Season Thread

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Cavs crank it up with their first exhibition game tonight so the off-season is over. Let's get it on.

Cavs lose Cedi and some non-rotation players but gain Strus, Jerome, Niang, and Jones. I'm not counting on Bates being in the rotation this year. If Dean Wade is fully recovered from the shoulder injury that plagued him all last year that will also be a factor.

Last year the Cavs won 51 games and lost eight games by three points or less. Are the Cavs at least three points better this year, factoring in some improvement by Mobley and the upgrades we acquired? I'd say yes. So is this a 59-win team? No. Nobody won 59 last year. The Bucks led the NBA with 58 wins.

I'd say this verson of the Cavs is about a 55-win team, assuming a normal level of injuries. The Cavs were +5.4 points last year, better than Milwaukee (+3.6), Philly (+4.3 and 54 wins), and Denver (+3.3 and 53 wins plus the NBA Championship). The Cavs need to get better at winning close games.

Denver was 53-29 during the regular season (.646) and 12-4 in the playoffs (.750) against stronger opponents. Some teams are able to elevate their game in the playoffs and some are not. The Cavs are in the latter category as of last year. They need to get over the hump of being a talented team that outscores opponents by a lot (second most in the NBA) but underachieves (5th most wins in the regular season and 1-4 in the playoffs).

 

[foucault87]

Cavs basketball is back baby! So excited. The wait was too long

 

[AustinCarr]

Cavs crank it up with their first exhibition game tonight so the off-season is over. Let's get it on.

Cavs lose Cedi and some non-rotation players but gain Strus, Jerome, Niang, and Jones. I'm not counting on Bates being in the rotation this year. If Dean Wade is fully recovered from the shoulder injury that plagued him all last year that will also be a factor.

Last year the Cavs won 51 games and lost eight games by three points or less. Are the Cavs at least three points better this year, factoring in some improvement by Mobley and the upgrades we acquired? I'd say yes. So is this a 59-win team? No. Nobody won 59 last year. The Bucks led the NBA with 58 wins.

I'd say this verson of the Cavs is about a 55-win team, assuming a normal level of injuries. The Cavs were +5.4 points last year, better than Milwaukee (+3.6), Philly (+4.3 and 54 wins), and Denver (+3.3 and 53 wins plus the NBA Championship). The Cavs need to get better at winning close games.

Denver was 53-29 during the regular season (.646) and 12-4 in the playoffs (.750) against stronger opponents. Some teams are able to elevate their game in the playoffs and some are not. The Cavs are in the latter category as of last year. They need to get over the hump of being a talented team that outscores opponents by a lot (second most in the NBA) but underachieves (5th most wins in the regular season and 1-4 in the playoffs).

The overall talent level in the East has gone up. There are no out-and-out tank teams, with the possible exception of Washington. Even the Pistons and Hornets have the talent to be in the play-in mix with a month to go (assuming health). So I feel the Cavs lose some extra games to raw league parity. I also hope they lose some games to experimentation and player development. No more running 7-8 man rotations on a random Wednesday night game to eek out a win in Minnesota. Run 10-11 deep and get guys ready for the postseason.

I think that the improved roster counteracts the above. Ultimately, I see them winning roughly the same as last year, give or take a game.

 

[CanadaEh]

What are the biggest things people are looking for out of training camp and these preseason games? Mobleys involvement in the offense is #1, but I am so excited to see the new spacing with Strus, Niang, Bates, etc as #2.

Also really looking forward to the 2 way guys getting a lot of playing time and seeing how they implement what they learned in the summer league. Cavs ball is back indeed!

 

[guitarguy]

So, the question that comes up all the time., but I suppose Ballys App is still the best (cheapest) way to watch the Cavs without cable? Any more news on whether they're going under or not?

 

[guitarguy]

What are the biggest things people are looking for out of training camp and these preseason games? Mobleys involvement in the offense is #1, but I am so excited to see the new spacing with Strus, Niang, Bates, etc as #2.

Also really looking forward to the 2 way guys getting a lot of playing time and seeing how they implement what they learned in the summer league. Cavs ball is back indeed!

I think it's the year for Mobley, and everyone wants to see it. Can't think of anything else even close to as "important".

However, will be also fun just to see how the new pieces gel. And I guess I'm hoping there is another jump in Garland this year too.

 

[Otsego Mar]

What are the biggest things people are looking for out of training camp and these preseason games? Mobleys involvement in the offense is #1, but I am so excited to see the new spacing with Strus, Niang, Bates, etc as #2.

Also really looking forward to the 2 way guys getting a lot of playing time and seeing how they implement what they learned in the summer league. Cavs ball is back indeed!

The regulars to stay healthy.

Just looking forward to getting a closer look at the new guys.

 

[GeorgesNiang]

Man who did the preseason scheduling? Felt like forever until cavs got their first game, yet Boston had a fucking back to back game in the preseason.

 

[Cassity14]

What are the biggest things people are looking for out of training camp and these preseason games? Mobleys involvement in the offense is #1, but I am so excited to see the new spacing with Strus, Niang, Bates, etc as #2.

Also really looking forward to the 2 way guys getting a lot of playing time and seeing how they implement what they learned in the summer league. Cavs ball is back indeed!

I'm looking for an offense that has more ball and player movement.

We should see that regardless of what talent is on the floor. If there are more possessions with the ball whipping around, much like we saw to start the season two years ago, I'll be encouraged that they are walking their talk as a coaching staff.

 

[Green Lantern]

So, the question that comes up all the time., but I suppose Ballys App is still the best (cheapest) way to watch the Cavs without cable? Any more news on whether they're going under or not?

I still have Spectrum/Columbus..so as long as the games are on, I should be able to watch..I do have some free streaming sites I can use.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

In no particular order I will be looking to see...

1. Will the increased offense (hopefully) provided by Strus, Niang, and Jerome more than offset the decreased defense?

2. How many more 3's per game will the Cavs take and will the team percentage increase?

3. Is Dean Wade fully recovered from his shoulder injury and can he force his way into the rotation?

4. Are the Cavs playing a more physical style this year after the hard lessons of the Knicks series?

5. Can the Cavs do a better job of on-ball defense so their bigs don't have to challenge as many shots which pulls them away from the basket and out of position for defensive rebounding?

6. Have Mobley and Allen added anything to their offensive games, especially from more than three feet from the rim?

7. Are the Cavs going to continue to be one of the slowest paced teams in the league (27th in field goal attempts last year)?

 

[ice cream man]

I don't need to see it in preseason game 1, but I still believe the offense needs to start with Garland/Mobley, not Mitchell.

 

[Beanie4Heisman]

Do we run an offense with more motion than we've seen in years past?

Doing so would immensely lessen the load placed on the shoulders of our two best creators and get our support players and youth further involved in the flow of the games. If it's not happening by Christmas we won't have much hope of making any noise come the start of postseason play in my estimation. Movement and activity should be second nature if this team is playing optimally.

 

[Otsego Mar]

I'm looking forward to JBB winning coach of the year.

Spoiler

or being fired

 

[Dr No]

In no particular order I will be looking to see...

1. Will the increased offense (hopefully) provided by Strus, Niang, and Jerome more than offset the decreased defense?

2. How many more 3's per game will the Cavs take and will the team percentage increase?

3. Is Dean Wade fully recovered from his shoulder injury and can he force his way into the rotation?

4. Are the Cavs playing a more physical style this year after the hard lessons of the Knicks series?

5. Can the Cavs do a better job of on-ball defense so their bigs don't have to challenge as many shots which pulls them away from the basket and out of position for defensive rebounding?

6. Have Mobley and Allen added anything to their offensive games, especially from more than three feet from the rim?

7. Are the Cavs going to continue to be one of the slowest paced teams in the league (27th in field goal attempts last year)?

1,2,6 &7 are about offense. I’m also curious to see if we play offense differently for the long haul. I have no doubt that we will come out with better passing and movement early, but in the grind of the season will we revert to what we’ve seen throughout the JBB era?