Kirk looks like he's got a decent chance to make the team. Didn't expect that. Seeing how he's the only one of two guys to survive the post summer league roster massacre, maybe I should have.
Looks like he could stick around a while if he can keep his weight down and his deep shooting is for real. (Sounds like what I wanted from Bennett at this time last year too)
Plaindealer had an article today:
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/10/alex_kirk_continues_to_improve.html
Alex Kirk is seven-footer with a unique skill-set that has improved steadily throughout training camp with the Cavaliers. The undrafted big man out of the University of New Mexico has made quite the impression on head coach David Blatt. After a preseason game last week, Blatt, unprompted, made sure he acknowledged the rookie's play.
...
"Alex has come along very, very well," Blatt said after Sunday's practice. "He's shown great improvement."
Kirk, 22, isn't your typical big man. He could be seen as a stretch-five, but has the size to bang and mix it up down low.
....
"I can shoot from the outside and spread the floor a little bit," Kirk said. "I try to be productive no matter where I'm at on the floor and I hope to continue showing that."
During the preseason, Kirk has appeared in four games and is averaging 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and a block in 15.2 minutes. He's a perfect eight-for-eight from the foul line. His confidence has grown with each game. Two preseason games are all that remains to make a lasting impression. But for one of his teammates, he has seen enough. "Alex has been a surprise," Dion Waiters said to Northeast Ohio Media Group. "He's good defensively and has a nice tough on the outside. He's a gamer, the kind of player you want on your team."
ESPN did a write-up on the guy, which they don't usually doo for undrafted players--
Alex Kirk is an undrafted rookie from New Mexico trying to earn his way onto the Cavaliers' roster. The 7-0 center was a solid rebounder and shot blocker for the Lobos despite back trouble and questionable conditioning. He was high volume for a big man in college, with just OK efficiency. He did most of his damage around the basket, though he did float out to the perimeter at times to flash an unreliable jumper. SCHOENE sees Kirk as a fringe type, with comparables like .... Tyler Zeller....