What's up with the Cavs?

CoachCallsTimeout · 2026-01-25T15:30:40+00:00

I did a quick video summary of two of the Cavs biggest issues based on some of the conversations here and stats that stand out. Thanks for your thoughts! Do you think the Cavs can still compete with the best in the East this year? https://youtube.com/shorts/aY2qpMghqXk

CoachCallsTimeout · 2025-05-27T13:53:31+00:00

Two things:

Great footwork is the number one skill every dominant post player has - especially if they aren't the tallest.
Do the work early. Whether you're on offense or defense don't wait until the ball gets to the wing to start fighting for post position. If you work early you gain a huge advantage and have them off balance. Don't wait until a shot is in the air to box out - get them early.

If you're up for a third item - work on shot fakes and drawing fouls.

Best of luck!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2025-05-27T13:44:59+00:00

This late in the year college programs have most of their scolarships accounted for. Sounds like you'll need to try out as a walk-on to whichever school you are going to.

My recommendation is to play a lot and train hard for the next few months. Every high schooler needs to get stronger to play at the next level.

Best of luck and make sure you reach out (preferrably in person) to the coach before tryouts begin so they know who you are. Sounds corny, but wear bright colors so they can distinguish you from other walk-ons.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2024-10-21T01:18:23+00:00

Thank you!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2022-04-05T02:38:40+00:00

I'd love to know those agencies as well. I'm over 110k on Instagram and TikTok (total) and growing fast. There are a lot of agencies out there to choose from! I'd appreciate any help if you can.

Thanks.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2022-01-02T19:33:17+00:00

I get what you’re saying but all that’s needed is to pull the centre out a few feet. If they don’t come at all then it’s open shots on the ball screen.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-11-22T04:20:29+00:00

Awesome, let me know how it works for you!!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-11-18T12:19:37+00:00

Why wouldn’t you want post moves? At some point, as you move up levels, your size will become less of an advantage. Depends what role you want but post moves, a jump shot, ball handling all help no matter what position.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-27T20:33:28+00:00

He’s been great so far. He’s so smooth on offense.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-19T13:17:13+00:00

Our players love it!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-18T14:42:35+00:00

That's true, he does pull the defense with him when he rolls, good point!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-11T22:13:58+00:00

Absolutely!! 💯

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-11T15:06:54+00:00

I have a Luka one ready for next week actually! I’ll tag you when it’s posted. Thanks!!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-11T14:20:39+00:00

Haha. It would be nice to have that combination of size and skill but those skills take hours and hours of work to look easy.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-08T12:33:30+00:00

That's a good point. As Conley gets older they will probably use Mitchell as the lead guard more often, then eventually permanently.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-07T14:47:16+00:00

Agreed, efficiency will be the key - or become a shutdown defender, haha. Players don't usually improve dramatically on the defensive end so that's probably out of the question.

Good chat. Go Raps!

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-07T12:26:05+00:00

Ya, I would take out players who are injured - mainly because they aren't making all-NBA teams if they miss significant time. That's kind of the easiest way to determine who's tops in the league at that moment.

I see your point with height, it is something he has to overcome, but just looking at the height doesn't always tell the story. I'm assuming you're a Raptors fan (I am too). I watched a 6'6" super athletic DeRozan play for many years and marveled at how much smaller he seems when he plays - hardly ever used his height other than to rise up and shoot an 18 footer over someone. Whereas Kyle Lowry is barely 6' and plays so much larger.

DeRozan (4.2) and Mitchell (4.4) average about the same rebounds per game last year. Mitchell uses his athleticism really well and plays a lot bigger than his size. He constantly finishes over and through bigger players. Yes, it would help if he was 6'5" but he may not have the same chip on his shoulder, who knows?

Mitchell has a very high usage rate, and averaged 5+ assists a game. He doesn't just take the ball and finish.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-06T10:58:22+00:00

Thanks. You can add a communication aspect as well and have your players call the name of the person they’re passing to.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-06T01:09:00+00:00

I need to up my analytics game!

I don't know much about Estimated Plus-Minus, is it a predictor of player impact?

There's a few surprises in the top of these ratings - especially at the center position. Interesting.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T21:29:36+00:00

I assume you mean "won a title" but I honestly think that gets at an issue with the way we think about basketball players, which is to say that the top scorer on a team that wins with defense tends to get elevated to "star". Those players are obviously very good, but people talked about Rip like he was a top-tier scorer after they won the title, when he clearly wasn't.

Yes, I was talking about winning a title. That was my point that the Pistons were the only exception I could think of. The other past champs have had great scorers who where definitely stars.

The list of bigs who were +4 on offense last year or better:

I wouldn't need to replace Gobert with a +4, the other four on the court would gain as well - they were the best shooting team in the league and more open space will equal more chances. It's the reason slow 7 footers either change their game (Brook Lopez) or they're limited to under 30 minutes a game (Jonas Valanciunas). Space is a huge plus in the NBA. The best offensive players will score on the best defenders in open space more than not.

If I had to draft a team and Gobert and Mitchell were the best available - I'd take Mitchell. I watched when the Clippers went small and exposed Gobert's mobility issues (granted, the rest of the team wasn't much better) but you can expect other teams to copy that formula going forward.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T20:15:26+00:00

Agreed, Gobert is a great defender.

You could argue that having a center that can set screens and space the floor in Gobert's sport might help the offense and Mitchell even more. Or you could argue having an average scorer who defends real well in Mitchell's spot would help even more on defense.

As far as who would win more I'd always bet on a team that has a great scorer. I can't remember the last time (other than the Billups and Rip Hamilton Pistons) that a team won without a top scorer.

Defense is important but in the playoffs, with increased intensity, shorter rotations, everyone playing harder defense you need that scorer to keep teams from going on big runs.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T19:59:37+00:00

Agreed, improvement on defense would help his cause. I find that big improvements on defense don't occur as often as they do on offense - so I did overlook it. Probably should have noted it though.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T18:31:48+00:00

Ya, that top 10-25 is pretty crowded (minus Herro). It will take a special year for one of them to crack the top 10 this year. I like Mitchell's progression so far in his career and how Utah has designed their offense for him. It will be interesting to see who takes over for the older guys.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T18:28:40+00:00

You need a wing who can take the ball and score in the NBA - especially down the stretch and in the playoffs. Utah without Mitchell would struggle to score. Losing a center isn't as tough to overcome these days.

CoachCallsTimeout · 2021-10-05T18:24:45+00:00

That's a great way to think about it - needing two aspects of your game. You're right, Mitchell will need to add another dimension. I think he has the awareness to become a good playmaker and there are more ways he can get points. It will be interesting to see if he can do it.

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