Dylan “Breaking” Windler is a Laker. How much help does LeBron need!?

[Sebastian]

None of us ARE perfect.

 

[rcj47]

Think Windler's defensive deficiencies are being overblown and Okoro's overhyped.

Yea Windler might get muscled by stronger players.

People just shoot right over Okoro's head.

JBB always likes the grinder/physical guys over the skill guys going back to his Memphis days. But while Okoro looks the part he likes I really don't see anything special in him defensively. I watched him last year and just didn't see this defensive freak the team hyped him up to be. He looked like just another guy out there.

Then there is the whole argument about how important individual defense is ie does it really make a true difference in winning games. Give me an average defense based on team defense any day with an above average offense and that is a winning team. So even if Okoro added Matisse Thybulle's wingspan overnight I'd probably feel the same.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Windler obviously can hit wide open threes, has some length to contest shots against a catch-and-shoot guy and can grab a rebound. His handle is no better than Okoro’s and defensively against any kind of physical player you might as well call him “brisket” because he’s going to get smoked for a long time.

He and Cedi are ideally suited to come off the bench. Asking more of these guys would be a mistake, but I’m all for trying it to see just how well Windler does guarding the players Okoro usually guards.

Not every player needs to be able to handle the ball. Windler could be an extremely effective starter in the NBA. Having a guy who can shoot the lights out in between your stars is invaluable. He can have a strong impact on the game with an extremely low USG rate. Windler needs to focus on obviously becoming more physically ready. Joe Harris is a good example of a guy he could work to emulate physically. Harris transformed his body and that was a big part in him becoming the player he became after being an afterthought mid 2nd round pick.

He also needs to work on learning how to run defensss ragged coming off of screens. Watch Korver film all day and night. Work with Cedi who actually played with Korver and in my estimation seemed to have learned a LOT from Korver about playing off the ball. They can work to make each other better. I’d even call Korver and ask him to work them out for a week here or there in the summer.

Also, Windlers penchant for grabbing a rebound is actually another reason I think he could help the starting lineup. Our DRB% is faltering and a big reason is because the small guards we had out there often just weren’t a presence at ALL on the glass. Windler can use his experience playing a lot on the interior in college and grabbing a ton of rebounds to be a real asset in that way. That alone will improve our defense by helping close out more possessions. He has to size to guard other 2s in this league and he actually looks to be a high IQ player who really hustles. Given we play a lot of 3-2 zone with Mobley at the top disrupting everything, Windler can ABSOLUTELY fit into that defensive scheme and learn to not be a liability.

Long term I do think Windler will be a better fit than Okoro starting at the 2 but a lot depends on Okoro and his development trajectory. So far he’s been underwhelming but if Okoro develops into something real then maybe that changes.

I also see the argument that- 1. We don’t have a big wing defender at the 3 currently. So putting Okoro next to Garland who is not a great defender but is a great shooter does make sense on paper.

Okoro has to be better than he has, and he’s young and we have to have some patience with him as we did take him #5 though it was a somewhat weak draft…he obviously has some potential in various areas…but he has got to be a basketball player first and athlete 2nd. I do like his hustle. But I need Okoro to show me that he can slash to the rim, slice a defense up and finish at the rim. I need Okoro to be openly disruptive defensively and get steals and then that into a fast break where he’s running on the wings and giving the lead ball handler an sssy option which is where Okoro should shine in theory. The Cavs get quite a few fast break opportunities and he needs to enhance that part of our defense and offense. And I need him to be a threat from the corner with a 3 ball. I don’t even care if he can’t hit an above the break 3. I just need him to, for right now, hit 1 out of every 3 corner threes. 33.33% or better from the corner is ALL I’m asking right now. Eventually you’d like that to be higher and maybe even start being a threat from other spots occasionally…but his corner 3 ball is one of the most important things relating to his long term fit within our offense.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I'd love to understand what the team and the coach actually think of Windler. If they appreciate him or not..if they have plans for him in the future, etc...

It's hard to figure out what they think of him because of his inconsistent playing time, among other things.

 

[Dr No]

I'd love to understand what the team and the coach actually think of Windler. If they appreciate him or not..if they have plans for him in the future, etc...

It's hard to figure out what they think of him because of his inconsistent playing time, among other things.

It’s a good question. They liked him enough to pick up his option, but JBB hasn’t exactly shown him love in the way that matters most - minutes. If he keeps hitting 3’s it’s going to be hard to keep him on the bench, even when everyone is healthy.

 

[Cavatt]

I hope he gets minutes at the 2 starting or off the bench. He is much deadlier the better the other players around him.

I love he stays like 3-4 feet behind the line to really pull his guy out. He can close the distance to the line with his shooting motion.

 

[bs80]

I hope he gets minutes at the 2 starting or off the bench. He is much deadlier the better the other players around him.

I love he stays like 3-4 feet behind the line to really pull his guy out. He can close the distance to the line with his shooting motion.

Why not at the 3? With Collin down for a while, Isaac is going to get a ton of the minutes at the 2. I wouldn't mind seeing both Isaac and Dylan in the starting lineup, at the 2 and 3, respectively.

 

[weepinwillow]

Not every player needs to be able to handle the ball. Windler could be an extremely effective starter in the NBA. Having a guy who can shoot the lights out in between your stars is invaluable. He can have a strong impact on the game with an extremely low USG rate. Windler needs to focus on obviously becoming more physically ready. Joe Harris is a good example of a guy he could work to emulate physically. Harris transformed his body and that was a big part in him becoming the player he became after being an afterthought mid 2nd round pick.

He also needs to work on learning how to run defensss ragged coming off of screens. Watch Korver film all day and night. Work with Cedi who actually played with Korver and in my estimation seemed to have learned a LOT from Korver about playing off the ball. They can work to make each other better. I’d even call Korver and ask him to work them out for a week here or there in the summer.

Also, Windlers penchant for grabbing a rebound is actually another reason I think he could help the starting lineup. Our DRB% is faltering and a big reason is because the small guards we had out there often just weren’t a presence at ALL on the glass. Windler can use his experience playing a lot on the interior in college and grabbing a ton of rebounds to be a real asset in that way. That alone will improve our defense by helping close out more possessions. He has to size to guard other 2s in this league and he actually looks to be a high IQ player who really hustles. Given we play a lot of 3-2 zone with Mobley at the top disrupting everything, Windler can ABSOLUTELY fit into that defensive scheme and learn to not be a liability.

Long term I do think Windler will be a better fit than Okoro starting at the 2 but a lot depends on Okoro and his development trajectory. So far he’s been underwhelming but if Okoro develops into something real then maybe that changes.

I also see the argument that- 1. We don’t have a big wing defender at the 3 currently. So putting Okoro next to Garland who is not a great defender but is a great shooter does make sense on paper.

Okoro has to be better than he has, and he’s young and we have to have some patience with him as we did take him #5 though it was a somewhat weak draft…he obviously has some potential in various areas…but he has got to be a basketball player first and athlete 2nd. I do like his hustle. But I need Okoro to show me that he can slash to the rim, slice a defense up and finish at the rim. I need Okoro to be openly disruptive defensively and get steals and then that into a fast break where he’s running on the wings and giving the lead ball handler an sssy option which is where Okoro should shine in theory. The Cavs get quite a few fast break opportunities and he needs to enhance that part of our defense and offense. And I need him to be a threat from the corner with a 3 ball. I don’t even care if he can’t hit an above the break 3. I just need him to, for right now, hit 1 out of every 3 corner threes. 33.33% or better from the corner is ALL I’m asking right now. Eventually you’d like that to be higher and maybe even start being a threat from other spots occasionally…but his corner 3 ball is one of the most important things relating to his long term fit within our offense.

I don't see it as our small G's, I've noticed more that our bigs aren't as strong fending off the offensive rebounder. They excel at forcing misses because of their length and mobility, but aren't the kind of wide base-box-out style garbage men that makes all misses a sure end of possession.

On Okoro, I am fine with how he plays. He could stand to be more aggressive with his offense at times, pick his spots etc., but I can appreciate a guy is looking to move the ball inside of the offense, especially if he's the 5th option in said offense. 5th guy in most offenses is a 7-9 pt per game dude, so can he do other things that help: can he defend his position and/or switch out to other spots? can he make quick decisions with the ball? can he move the ball back to the other side of the floor? To me Okoro does most of this well, but has room to improve. Ultimately, he needs to be more than a 5th option to warrant investment. I think he can be, but yeah, needs to add more offensively and find a bigger role in the offense.

 

[Cavatt]

Why not at the 3? With Collin down for a while, Isaac is going to get a ton of the minutes at the 2. I wouldn't mind seeing both Isaac and Dylan in the starting lineup, at the 2 and 3, respectively.

SL switches all the bigs. Dean can handle a center for short bursts, Dylan can't.

I don't want Dylan playing as a big ever. If he plays as a SF off the bench that is ok

 

[Ozone]

Unless Washington is throwing up bricks tonight JBB will have to use DW or Wade a lot to stop the bleeding from getting zero points from Okoro and whoever the Wizards game plan against like DG or Allen.
Cavs need shooters in this one or forget it imo

 

[2 For The Brew]

Congratulations to “Breaking” Windler for knocking down ONE three point shot tonight. Did nothing to justify his minutes except we’re short handed and didn’t have many other options.

He does the little things right. Unfortunately they’re so little I can’t see them.

He‘s behind Wade and Stevens - two guys who were two way players. Not a good sign.

 

[Ozone]

Congratulations to “Breaking” Windler for knocking down ONE three point shot tonight. Did nothing to justify his minutes except we’re short handed and didn’t have many other options.

He does the little things right. Unfortunately they’re so little I can’t see them.

He‘s behind Wade and Stevens - two guys who were two way players. Not a good sign.

He needs more love from this coach to get into his spots and after okoro's reinjury could get some. He is out of options at the 2 now anyway. Cant play a non shooter there imo.
DW is a system player at his best but his defensive iq is high enough as well despite not having quite the same twitch as Ice that you can live with it if he is giving you 10 points in 12 minutes or 20 in 25
He is not getting the looks he got as a cutter which is confusing they need to hit him with those opportunities and then you see his game evolve
He has Korver level off ball movement ability
Wade getting minutes at the 3 is fine but not Stevens.
DW needs minutes at the 2 more often asap

 

[Man Called X]

Congratulations to “Breaking” Windler for knocking down ONE three point shot tonight. Did nothing to justify his minutes except we’re short handed and didn’t have many other options.

He does the little things right. Unfortunately they’re so little I can’t see them.

He‘s behind Wade and Stevens - two guys who were two way players. Not a good sign.

I only managed to watch the first 3 quarters before narcolepsy set in. He took a couple of bad shots, but the whole team was taking bad shots at the time. He played decent defense. There were a couple times that I thought he got burnt on the perimeter but was able to recover enough to contest the shot. I can't say I was overly disappointed with his performance. Felt like he was pressing to score and threw himself out of rhythm doing so. Not having the extra gravity from Sexton I think really hurt Windler.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

We have guards who play with the ball in their hands, so you need to put people around them who are good at playing without the ball, instinctively. [Windler] plays extremely well without the basketball. - Bickerstaff

Right now with Sexton out we have almost too many guys who play better without the basketball: Okoro, Stevens, Markkanen, Allen, Love, Wade, and Osman. None of them can beat their man off the dribble.

Garland and Rubio are the only players we have at the moment who are comfortable handling the ball and breaking down the defense. It showed against the Wizards as the team only scored 94 points after five straight over 100. The Wizards came in ranking slightly above average in scoring defense (12th).

It would help Windler a lot if he got better at playing WITH the basketball. Anytime they throw it to him he either takes a shot (if he's wide open) or immediately gives it up. It's like he's scared to death to dribble more than once or twice, and usually not even that.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Not having the extra gravity from Sexton I think really hurt Windler.

Big, if true. Windler needs “gravity” from Sexton and some are pressing for Windler to start at SG?

The next shot he creates on his own will be his first.

This guy has more excuses than Joliet Jake Blues, and yet so many people end up melting for this guy like Carrie Fisher just by looking at him. He’s like the Hollywood type that 100% looks the part but can’t act. His ceiling is an extra in a B Movie.

PLEASE JB, PLEASE start this guy. Give him 30 minutes a game for a week. Then we’ll be done with this group man crush bullshit.