Cleveland Cavaliers Power Rankings: Evaluating Full Roster After First 6 Weeks
Now a month and a half into their new era, the Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning to come together.
With 10 new players and a head coach who hasn't lived in the United States in 30 years, we knew things wouldn't click right away. The Cavs began the season just 5-7 before embarking on their current five-game win streak.
Now 10-7, Cleveland possesses a better record than the 2010-11 Miami Heat through the season's first 17 games (9-8).
While some players are producing at their usual levels (LeBron James, Kyrie Irving), others have disappointed thus far (Dion Waiters, Mike Miller). Coach David Blatt has yet to establish a reliable rotation, something that's created a lackluster start to the year for some veteran players.
Here's how every roster member stacks up nearing the season's quarter mark, and which players have led the Cavaliers during their recent hot streak.
Nos. 15-11
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No. 15: A.J. Price, G
2014-15 Stats: N/A
Price was on the Cavaliers roster for the first two games of the season before being waived to make room for point guard Will Cherry.
The Indiana Pacers claimed Price, who averaged 10.5 points and 2.7 assists in 10 games. In a strange turn of events, the Pacers waived Price, who was naturally picked up by Cleveland. The real kicker? The Cavaliers released Cherry to sign Price, a mirror transaction of the move they made just a few weeks prior.
In two games, Price has seen just 36 seconds of court time in his return for the Cavs. With point guard Matthew Dellavedova due back from a knee injury soon, Price's latest stay in Cleveland may once again be short-lived.
No. 14: Alex Kirk, C
2014-15 Stats: 1.3 points, 0.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 2.0 minutes, 26.6 PER
The 7'0" rookie from New Mexico has appeared in just three games for the Cavaliers, instead spending the majority of his season with the D-League's Canton Charge.
In four games in Canton, Kirk is putting up a strong 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a night.
No. 13: Brendan Haywood, C
2014-15 Stats: 1.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.0 assists, 4.8 minutes, 8.4 PER
Although he hasn't seen the court much, Haywood remains a valuable reserve to keep around.
He's often one of the last Cavaliers participating in the pregame shootaround, continuing to fine-tune his body after missing all of last season with a foot injury. Even in limited minutes, Haywood has proved he can still protect the rim, as evidenced by his 5.7 blocks per 36 minutes of play.
No. 12: Lou Amundson, F/C
2014-15 Stats: 1.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 8.8 minutes, 4.4 PER
A scrappy defender, Amundson has earned some sporadic playing time as of late with his hustle and energy off the bench.
No. 11: James Jones, G/F
2014-15 Stats: 2.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 5.0 minutes, 18.4 PER
Although he's known as an elite sharpshooter around the league, Jones has yet to play a meaningful minute for the Cavaliers all season.
Jones has the rare ability to come into a game completely cold and knock down a three without hesitation. Although a small sample size, his 50 percent shooting from deep leads the Cavs.
No. 10: Matthew Dellavedova, G
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2014-15 Stats: 2.7 points, 1.0 rebound, 2.3 assists, 40 3P%, 5.0 PER
Matthew Dellavedova earns a spot in the top 10 despite participating in just three games this season following a sprained ligament in his left knee on Nov. 4.
While he'll never lead the team in scoring, Dellavedova is a perfect fit on this Cavs squad. He hustles, defends, moves the ball and can knock down three-pointers. The Cavaliers have rotated Cherry and Price as backups to Irving with little to show for it.
The Cavs need Dellavedova back, and they should get him soon, according to Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:
"He was among the backups getting in court work at practice Wednesday and said he hopes to play "at some point on this trip," but couldn't be more specific until after he consulted with team medical personnel.
'I feel pretty strong with how it's been going in rehab and playing a little bit on the court,' Dellavedova said.
"
With a severely underperforming bench, Dellavedova should bring a nice boost to the Cavaliers when he returns.
No. 9: Mike Miller, G/F
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2014-15 Stats: 1.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 26.3 3P%, 3.3 PER
Mike Miller has endured a rough start to the season.
Buried on Cleveland's bench for stretches, the normally sure-handed Miller is converting just over 26 percent of his three-pointers, the lowest rate of his 15-year career.
His lack of playing time has been puzzling, as Miller has a history of success playing alongside James with the Miami Heat. He's a perfect fit for this Cavaliers team with so many ball-dominant players, as Miller excels at the catch-and-shoot role.
Even though Miller hasn't produced as expected, he's usually the first one off the bench supporting teammates and shouting praise. Jones described Miller perfectly to Jonathan Abrams of Grantland:
"He has the unique experience of playing in every situation. He’s been on rebuilding teams. He’s been on championship teams. He’s been on contending teams. He’s been a starter. He’s been the sixth man. He’s been out of the rotation. He’s been injured. He’s bounced back and came back. Every player in this league can relate to him on some level.
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A recent six-point, seven-rebound effort against the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 2 was Miller's best performance of the season to date.
Hopefully it's earned him a spot in the rotation for good.
No. 8: Joe Harris, SG
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2014-15 Stats: 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 32.1 3P%, 3.6 PER
The only Cavaliers draft pick from the last two years still on the roster, Joe Harris has been a pleasant surprise thus far.
The second-round pick from Virginia was selected due to his ability to stretch the floor and provide a kick-out option for players like Irving and Dion Waiters. So far, so good.
While he's struggled from the corners, Harris is 5-of-12 on above-the-break three-pointers, good for 41.7 percent, via NBA.com/stats. Although averaging under three points a contest, the Cavaliers are a much better offensive team when he's is in the game. Cleveland scores 11.4 more points per 100 possessions with Harris on the court, per 82games.com.
Although Harris has been solid, he still shouldn't be taking minutes away from Miller or Jones right now. Given a year or two, however, he could become a reliable reserve or even spot starter for the Cavaliers.
No. 7: Dion Waiters, SG
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2014-15 Stats: 8.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 36.8 FG%, 8.5 PER
Dion Waiters has been the biggest disappointment of the Cavaliers' season, and it's not even close.
Beginning the year as the starting 2-guard, Waiters lost his job after just three games. While many thought a transition to sixth man would allow Waiters to thrive, this just hasn't been the case.
His shooting efficiency has been awful. Waiters is knocking down just 36.8 percent of his shots from the field and 25.8 percent from deep, the lowest numbers of his three-year career.
Able to sign an extension next summer, the Cavs have a decision to make with Waiters.
Do they have faith he can turn his play around and mesh with the current group, or would a mutual split be best for all involved?
Waiters remains very talented, but he just doesn't seem like a good fit on this Cavaliers team.
No. 6: Shawn Marion, G/F
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2014-15 Stats: 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks, 11.4 PER
Thought to be a key reserve for the Cavaliers coming into the season, Shawn Marion was bumped into the starting lineup after just three games.
The 6'7" Marion gives the Cavs a bigger, more defensive-oriented starting five. His versatility is key, as the Cavaliers have asked Marion to guard four different positions at times.
His defensive impact is definitely being felt. Cleveland allows 5.7 fewer points per 100 possessions when Marion is in the game, via 82games.com.
A reduced role hasn't seemed to bother him, nor has a switch to shooting guard this season. "It doesn't matter what position I play. I'm a basketball player. I know how to win," Marion told Bleacher Report in November.
Since his move to the starting five on Nov. 5, the Cavaliers have gone 9-5.
No. 5: Tristan Thompson, F/C
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2014-15 Stats: 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 16.2 PER
Cleveland's best reserve this season, Tristan Thompson has been rock-solid at both power forward and center.
Now that he's grown to 6'10" and put on more muscle, Thompson's individual defense has improved nicely. Opposing centers are registering a PER of 14.3 against Thompson, with power forwards coming in at just 7.2, via 82games.com.
Offensively, Thompson is doing a nice job taking smart shots and not forcing too much. He knows scoring will come via offensive rebounds and tip-ins. Now in his fourth season, Thompson is shooting a career-best 51.4 percent from the floor. His 3.1 offensive rebounds per game rank 13th in the league, even though Thompson is seeing just 24.8 minutes of court time a night.
Another good sign for Cleveland? Thompson is finally starting to emerge as a shot-blocking threat, with 1.4 swats per 36 minutes of play. With no true rim-protector currently on the roster, Thompson is the Cavs' best hope of developing one.
No. 4: Anderson Varejao, C
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2014-15 Stats: 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 18.2 PER
Anderson Varejao's play has been a pleasant surprise for the Cavaliers, especially his scoring output.
Showcasing a synergy with James on the court, Varejao has been the beneficiary of plenty of set-up passes. He's also become money on the mid-range jumper, knocking down 53.8 percent of his shots from 15-19 feet, via NBA.com/Stats. This, combined with a plethora of quality looks inside, has Varejao converting at a 60.3 percent clip from the field, the highest of his 11-year career.
What's more important has been Varejao's ability to stay on the court. Other than being held out a single game for sore ribs, Varejao has appeared in every contest. Blatt is doing a nice job limiting his minutes at 26.4 a night.
Long considered one of the team's best defenders, Varejao is enjoying a nice season on both ends of the floor.
No. 3: Kevin Love, PF
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2014-15 Stats: 17.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 19.0 PER
While Kevin Love's scoring and rebounding has naturally dropped, it's been the opposite side of the court where he's made the most strides.
“In general, I would like to say, I think Kevin Love is playing the best defense of his career so far,” Blatt told Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “He can get better like all of us can, but he’s doing a good job. He’s buying into the system, into the principles, and he needs to continue to do that and we need to continue to involve him in the way that we are.”
Blatt isn't just spit-balling, either.
The Cavaliers are actually better defensively with Love on the court in addition to scoring 8.8 more points per 100 possessions with him in the game, via 82games.com.
Heading into a Dec. 4 game against the New York Knicks, Love was averaging 25.3 points per game over his last three contests. Cleveland was 3-0 during that time.
While Love may not have completely found himself in the Cavs offense yet, he appears to be getting a little closer every day.
No. 1B: Kyrie Irving, PG
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2014-15 Stats: 21.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 22.5 PER
Some could argue that Kyrie Irving, not LeBron James, has been the best Cavalier thus far.
Despite a few games where he overdribbles or loses focus on defense, Irving has been fantastic. He's thriving playing next to James and is enjoying career highs in field-goal percentage (47.9) and three-point shooting (42.0 percent). His PER, steals, turnovers (1.7), offensive rating (124) and defensive rating (108) are all career bests.
What's more remarkable is Irving's improved defensive effort. Not that he brings it all game every game, but there are long stretches of focus and intensity not seen before from the 22-year-old.
Irving explained to Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
"Going into my fourth year, it was just a conscious effort to have a better focus level on that end. It starts with that, and no matter who we’re playing against, guys are trying to stop me and I got to try to stop other guys. It’s just the attitude I have every single night. All the teams, their object is to stop me, so in the back of my mind it’s, ‘Why can’t I be a great defender? I don’t understand.’ It’s just all about effort. My first three years, it was just making excuses of offensive burden and all this other stuff, and at the end of the day I just have to do it for the greater good of our team.
"
Irving may not have taken the title of "Cavaliers' Best Player" from James yet, but it may be sooner than we all originally thought.
No. 1A: LeBron James, SF
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2014-15 Stats: 24.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 24.2 PER
James is once again putting up gaudy numbers, which should come as a surprise to absolutely no one.
Although a 5-7 start to the season had James contemplating his talent, Cleveland has since rebounded nicely under his watch. After James told Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, “We’ve got a four-game losing streak, so I stink," the Cavs have gone 5-0.
He's made a nice impression on Blatt, who could only watch James from afar the past 11 years.
“LeBron James is the greatest player I’ve ever coached and I’ve ever seen,” Blatt said, via Lloyd. “Every day I wake up and say, ‘Thank goodness I get the chance to coach that guy.’ And I say to myself every day, ‘I have to do a better job of coaching that guy.’ Help him to be everything that he is."
James may still be listed as a small forward, but he's handling a lot of point guard duties this season. His 7.4 assists is a figure he never reached while in Miami, and it's the most James has averaged with the Cavaliers since 2009-10.
Still the best player in basketball, James isn't ready to give up the Cavaliers' reins to Irving just yet.
Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bleacher Report since 2010.
All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted and are accurate as of Dec. 4.
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