The Cleveland Cavaliers have been unbelievably lucky with the NBA draft over the past few years. Since 2011, they have netted the No. 1 pick, No. 4 pick, No. 1 pick and another No. 1 pick this summer.
Unfortunately, not all of them have necessarily panned out as hoped, with Dion Waiters still trying to figure out what his role is in the league, while Anthony Bennett had one of the most forgettable seasons in NBA history for a No. 1 overall pick (for what it’s worth, he has looked like a different player in summer league action so far).
In comes Andrew Wiggins, a player many believe has the potential to become a great player down the line. He’s still incredibly young and will look to go through the growing pains of being a rookie come next season. Fortunately for him, he will no longer be relied upon to carry a heavy load with the Cavaliers since LeBron James is back in town.
That doesn’t mean everyone isn’t clamoring to see Wiggins in action during Summer League action, though, and owner Dan Gilbert was on hand to witness a glimpse of what’s to come on Monday:
My camera work stinks but did you like that? http://t.co/4UWBqo2qMd
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) July 15, 2014
“. @NBA: Whoa…@22wiggins with the amazing spin & slam! @cavs #VINElight #NBASummer https://t.co/6rQfnQpk0c” Better angle from the baseline
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) July 15, 2014
Sweet view, indeed.
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James Park is the chief blogger and deputy editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.
What this team has lacked for the past few seasons has been leadership. Kyrie is a budding star but he is not a vocal leader by any means. LeBron will come in and immediately have the attention of everyone in the locker room; it’s his team. The team will buy in to LeBrons defensive mindset and create a new identity which we have lacked since his departure. Wiggins and Bennett will benefit immensely from LeBrons basketball IQ and his work ethic. Bright days are ahead for the Cavs but it will not happen overnight, there will be some bumps along the way.
The Waiters groupies are always unintentionally hilarious. Like this “last 21 games” cherry picking stuff.
In the last 21 games, his usage percentage was through the roof. To put it another way, he was a freakin’ ballhog, just like he’s always a freakin’ ballhog. His points went up (19 point average in last 21 games) because his minutes went up, mostly because Irving missed games, Irving’s minutes were cut because he was hurt, and C.J. Miles was hurt and out. In the last 21 games, Waiters had a grand total of 7 games where he shot 50% or better. Of those 7 games, Irving missed 3 of them. A whopping 8 offensive rebounds in the last 21 games, because all Waiters cares about is making sure he gets his shots, this while the guy he’s guarding treats him like a turnstile.
What in God’s Green Earth are you talking about Dion has not panned out and doesn’t know his role? DO you even check stats before you write this stuff? http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waitedi01/lineups/2014/ Allow me to drop some knowledge on your misinformed mind. Waiters has steadily improved by the end of his 2nd year. IN fact so much, that when he was promoted to start in the last 2
Last 21 games he averaged +20ppg, fg%45%, 3P% 40% and had best 5 man lineup +/- He was +39 pts. While your at it, he’s impressive in clutch. IF you think for 1 minute Dan Gilbert is disappointed in Waiters; you are delusional.
Guess I’ll clarify. I said he’s trying to figure out who he is. Not saying Waiters is a scrub who can’t produce at his position. Certainly had his moments in the last couple of months, but I’m talking in terms of total package. Where was that production in the first four months of the season? Do you want him to take the role of a star-level player, meaning he’s the one jacking up all the shots at an inefficient rate (and he is very inefficient)? Does he do anything else besides score?
He clashed with the staff and with Irving (no matter how much they deny). You can’t tell me he wasn’t a problem child for the org. last season, and he seems to want to be a lot more than what he’s capable of. Should they just let him chuck his way into a groove until it doesn’t matter anymore in the final months of the season? Maybe James can help fix Waiters, but Waiters will have to check his ego and fit into a role for that to happen – something he generally doesn’t appear receptive to. We’ll see.
I think you’re evaluation is still somewhat premature considering the fact that you’re talking about a 2nd YEAR player who is just 22 years old. Did u expect him to come out the gate ego in check and immediately gel with Kyrie and being a NBA 2 guard? What ever happened to the premise of being able to grow and mature? I think fans nowadays want instant results from these kids and that’s not realistic. Dion will be a stud in the very near future. Give him time to figure out who he is though before u start talking about his efficiencies and what he is and isn’t in just year 2 of NBA career.
Haha Isn’t “still trying to figure out what his role is in the league” the same thing as “needs time to figure out who he is”? You literally just said the same thing I did about him.
Only thing I have doubts about is “he’ll be a stud in the near future”, but hey, we’re allowed diff. opinions, right? Also, his FT shooting is a major problem for a SG. That kind of issue doesn’t just go away no matter what year he is in.
“He’s impressive in clutch.” Funny stuff.
I currently am living outside of Cleveland. Spend all days off there. If you would need anything to help with the site, pictures, questions asked, reports…I would more then happy to contribute.
The next time the river sets itself on fire, post some photos.