Welcome Taurean Prince

[Randolphkeys]

If he plays like once he got more comfortable, he's a really nice add. Nice debut all things considered.

It will be interesting how the minutes shake our between our wings once Windler and Garland are back too. Someone will have to take a cut.

Cedi played almost every second of the double overtime game, so there are minutes there. I also think Dotson will see a reduction, even though he made the most of his opportunity.

 

[Cavatt]

@Cavatt had asked elsewhere what development, if any, is there left with Prince and specifically about his shooting. Here is what I found about his offensive profile in general:

Spot Up:

20-21: 35.8% frequency, 1.15 PPP, 51.6% eFG%, 64th percentile among qualified players.
19-20: 42.1% frequency, 0.91 PPP, 49.1% eFG%, 37th percentile.
18-19: 27.0% frequency, 1.17 PPP, 61.7% eFG%, 89th percentile.
17-18: 27.0% frequency, 0.98 PPP, 52.4% eFG%, 49th percentile.

Transition:

20-21: 25.3% frequency, 1.04 PPP, 53.3% eFG%, 38th percentile.
19-20: 18.6% frequency, 0.98 PPP, 55.4% eFG%, 23rd percentile.
18-19: 22.5% frequency, 1.02 PPP, 55.6% eFG%, 32nd percentile.
17-18: 18.0% frequency, 1.02 PPP, 58.8 eFG%, 35th percentile.

Pick-and-Roll Ball Handler:

20-21: 16.8% frequency, 0.69 PPP, 42.3% eFG%, 19th percentile.
19-20: 7.4% frequency, 0.66 PPP, 40.7% eFG%, 19th percentile.
18-19: 19.3% frequency, 0.82 PPP, 44.4% eFG%, 49th percentile.
17-18: 19.3% frequency, 0.63 PPP, 41.3% eFG%, 18th percentile.

Off-Screen:

20-21: not qualified
19-20: 9.5% frequency, 0.85 PPP, 46.1% eFG%, 31st percentile.
18-19: 5.5% frequency, 1.10 PPP, 64.7% eFG%, 84th percentile.
17-18: 14.3% frequency, 1.01 PPP, 51.6% eFG%, 60th percentile.

Cuts:

20-21: Not qualified.
19-20: 1.8% frequency, 1.06 PPP, 57.1% FG%, 14th percentile.
18-19: 2.5% frequency, 1.61 PPP, 81.3% FG%, 96th percentile.
17-18: 2.0% frequency, 1.40 PPP, 69.6% FG%, 81st percentile.

So right off the bat, from a "what do we want him doing on offense" standpoint. Take the ball out of his hands, full stop. If there is any area the Cavs can and should develop, it's putting him in position where ~75% of his touches are coming in spot up, off-screen, or cutting situations where he doesn't have the ball. He clearly has the skills to be a good off-ball player, but he also clearly has shown over multiple seasons that he is a huge negative with the ball in his hands. He's atrocious driving to the basket, averaging 4 drives per game, a FG% under 40%, and a turnover percentage over 10% his last 2 seasons. But he's proven he can be a good catch-and-shoot player with multiple seasons with an eFG% over 60% in that situation.

With, when healthy, Garland, Sexton, Cedi, Nance, and Dotson doing most of the ball-handling/playmaking and a clear emphasis on wanting to play through our bigs in the post and on the elbow, we should be in a position to do just that with Prince.

We need a catch-and-shoot presence as is. We are dead last in catch-and-shoot attempts per game in the league, something that I think changes when Drummond is moved (we average the 2nd most post-ups per game in the league, sure that takes away). As we move away from the post-centric offense and into more of a typical modern day NBA offense (pick and rolls, off-ball screens to get shooters open, drive and kicks) I hope we keep some of the things that came with it, specifically our wings consistency in back-door cuts this year (we are 3rd in the league in cut frequency as as a team). That kind of playstyle is right up Prince's alley in what he actually does well offensively.

I'll get to defense here a little later.

Hey this is fantastic.

I was thinking basically your same conclusions after the game. He should just not handle the ball. He should be playing "stretch 4" role whether he is at the 3 or the 4. I like his ability to hoist. I know he is streaky and his shot form is not super smooth, but we need willing shooters to make the offense work.

I really liked him moving the ball. I didn't think he was capable of that. Maybe just the culture will help him. He has NOT been good on a Nets team where some guys go iso, and he goes without touching the ball. It makes him try to press and make something happen when he does similar to how Cedi was playing a few games ago.

He got after it on defense. I think he is going to fit in well that way. I heard his awareness is not great off ball, but he looked locked in.

He was homeless at times in his life and he has been one of those guys who wasn't expected to be a star or anything but worked his way into being a late lottery pick. I think his mentality on the team fits really well. I'd guess he is over paid even if he gets a little better, but he is potentially a trade asset or a long term backup option at the 3-4. He had a crazy good statline on low usage last night. If the Cavs can continue to get him to play that way, he is going to give us another 3 and D guy that will be plenty useful.

 

[natedagg]

Here’s how this goes down: we have one of the best shooting coaches in the NBA. She is crushing it. Check her $tats.
Prince will improve by working with her mixed with the effort that he wants to put forth.

 

[Cavatt]

Listened to Locked on Nets podcast. They were incredulous at Prince's game the way people here talk about Wiggins destroying the Cavs.

Said he hasn't shot like that in recent memory. Talked about his turnovers handling the ball.

I'd love if the confidence is this team got to him and he was just more comfortable in his role here. Still not encouraging.

 

[Lee]

Here’s how this goes down: we have one of the best shooting coaches in the NBA. She is crushing it. Check her $tats.
Prince will improve by working with her mixed with the effort that he wants to put forth.

What stats? Nance didnt take a 3 pointer before he got here, now he is shooting 40% from there? Sexton is 50% from 3 this year?

Garland couldnt shoot last year? This year he is 45% from 3 this year?

How is 3 starters improving their shooting proof she can coach shooting? lol

She will have Allen and Prince hitting 3 pointers at 40% in 12 months, lol

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Prince, if he can shoot threes close to 40%, is a great long-term fit for us.

Part of Portland's biggest problem after establishing Dame and CJ was the rest of their roster outside of like Nurkic being underwhelming,

Okoro, Prince, Osman, Allen, Nance Jr is a core of guys that I think is a great start to a supporting cast alongside two smaller guards that will handle the ball most of the time.

If we can hit on another 6'8-6'10 2-way wing that can shoot a little, pass a little, and dribble a little, whether it be in the draft or trade, we'll have a nearly perfect roster to put around the 2 smaller guards. Easier said than done, I know, those types of guys are what the entire league is after. Lol.

 

[shoes22]

Prince, if he can shoot threes close to 40%, is a great long-term fit for us.

Part of Portland's biggest problem after establishing Dame and CJ was the rest of their roster outside of like Nurkic being underwhelming,

Okoro, Prince, Osman, Allen, Nance Jr is a core of guys that I think is a great start to a supporting cast alongside two smaller guards that will handle the ball most of the time.

If we can hit on another 6'8-6'10 2-way wing that can shoot a little, pass a little, and dribble a little, whether it be in the draft or trade, we'll have a nearly perfect roster to put around the 2 smaller guards. Easier said than done, I know, those types of guys are what the entire league is after. Lol.

Prince makes too much money these next two years to really be a long term piece, IMO.

The Cavs are pretty light on commited future salary so of course we can afford it if we wanted to, but his $15 mil salary should probably be used towards getting a better forward than what Prince provides.

He’s not a starter caliber player, and at full strength our rotation is:

SF: <Future Player not currently on roster>/Osman
PF: Love/Nance

Of course this could change with trades, but if we do get that mythical ideal wing player you described, I’m not sure where Prince gets minutes.

He’s a useful addition for right now though, and I suppose this could be used as an audition period of sorts to see if he provides enough long-term value to stick around.

 

[stowfan]

Prince, if he can shoot threes close to 40%, is a great long-term fit for us.

Part of Portland's biggest problem after establishing Dame and CJ was the rest of their roster outside of like Nurkic being underwhelming,

Okoro, Prince, Osman, Allen, Nance Jr is a core of guys that I think is a great start to a supporting cast alongside two smaller guards that will handle the ball most of the time.

If we can hit on another 6'8-6'10 2-way wing that can shoot a little, pass a little, and dribble a little, whether it be in the draft or trade, we'll have a nearly perfect roster to put around the 2 smaller guards. Easier said than done, I know, those types of guys are what the entire league is after. Lol.

I my dreams, that's the player I hope the the Cavs can trade Drummond for.

 

[ajz20]

Serviceable wing with size off the bench is never a bad thing to have.

 

[daddywags]

Prince, if he can shoot threes close to 40%, is a great long-term fit for us.

Part of Portland's biggest problem after establishing Dame and CJ was the rest of their roster outside of like Nurkic being underwhelming,

Okoro, Prince, Osman, Allen, Nance Jr is a core of guys that I think is a great start to a supporting cast alongside two smaller guards that will handle the ball most of the time.

If we can hit on another 6'8-6'10 2-way wing that can shoot a little, pass a little, and dribble a little, whether it be in the draft or trade, we'll have a nearly perfect roster to put around the 2 smaller guards. Easier said than done, I know, those types of guys are what the entire league is after. Lol.

That's kind of the player I hope Windler can be. If not a perfect fit at least a 6'8" guy who can shoot, pass, and rebound and has a high BB IQ.

 

[stowfan]

He is at least a proven NBA player, maybe not great, but decent.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

If Prince turns in consistent performances like he did today, he's getting paid just the right amount for a 2 way 6'8 player that can shoot in this league. 14 pts on 5 shots. 2 threes, 6-6 from the line. Steal and a block. Improving defensively. Fits in amazingly well with our young core. Only 26.

I would not be rushing to get rid of him because he maybe makes a couple million more a year than he's worth. He's a quality top 7 rotation guy.

 

[shoes22]

Yeah when I made my post earlier today, I didn’t think he’d be turning in performances like that .

What he did today is well worth $15 mil, if not a little more if he can repeat it consistently.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Yeah when I made my post earlier today, I didn’t think he’d be turning in performances like that .

What he did today is well worth $15 mil, if not a little more if he can repeat it consistently.

He looks a lot more like the guy he was in Atlanta since being freed from the Kyrie zone.

Kyrie just doesn't make his teammates better. IMO. Prince can do more than just stand around and wait for Kyrie to dance. He's got active hands and a good feel for the game on offense. And he just fits in SEAMLESSLY here at the 3 or small ball 4.

 

[Kiddo]

If Prince turns in consistent performances like he did today, he's getting paid just the right amount for a 2 way 6'8 player that can shoot in this league. 14 pts on 5 shots. 2 threes, 6-6 from the line. Steal and a block. Improving defensively. Fits in amazingly well with our young core. Only 26.

I would not be rushing to get rid of him because he maybe makes a couple million more a year than he's worth. He's a quality top 7 rotation guy.

Yeah he definitely has a spot on this team going forward, especially if he keeps playing this way and there’s no reason to think he won’t. He really does fit very well with the rest of our core. Did Koby really add 2 to our core without giving up anything too valuable?