Ranking Each Cleveland Cavaliers Player Heading into Season's Final Stretch
With only two months remaining in the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have begun their ascent in the Eastern Conference.
This is no doubt due to the Cavs' impressive roster, and not just the Big Three, either.
General manager David Griffin's key trades for Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert have revitalized a once 19-20 Cavs team that now sits at 33-22 overall.
All three are making their debut on this player ranking big board, after we previously only guessed where they might end up. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love once again find themselves at the top, but in what order? Also, how does the addition of the three new pieces affect the position of role players like Tristan Thompson, Shawn Marion and Mike Miller?
Here's how the list of Cavaliers currently shakes out, with a newly added stock feature to show if they've risen, fallen or stayed in the same spot since the previous rankings were released.
Nos. 13-11: Haywood, Jones, Harris
1 of 11
No. 13: Brendan Haywood, C
2014-15 Stats: 1.6 PTS, 1.4 REB, 0.4 BLK, 5.1 MIN, 8.6 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
How bad has it gotten for Haywood's playing time in Cleveland? When the Cavs need a big, head coach David Blatt has opted for a smaller lineup featuring James Jones at power forward.
In his last 11 games, Haywood has seen the court for a total of six minutes. He's healthy, but at age 35, he may be on his last NBA run. The Cavaliers opted not to trade him and will likely use Haywood's $10 million team option for next season as trade bait this summer.
No. 12: James Jones, G/F
2014-15 Stats: 3.4 PTS, 1.1 REB, 32.1 3P%, 9.8 MIN, 10.2 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
Jones' best attribute, his three-point shooting, has regressed each month. Starting at a sparkling 50.0 percent in November, Jones is down to just 18.2 percent from deep in February.
His playing time is rare, and when it does come, it often forces Jones to play out of position. He's at his best when spacing the floor as a shooting guard or small forward alongside guys who can draw double-teams. With Smith and Shumpert filling up minutes on the wing, we likely won't see a lot of Jones from here on out.
No. 11: Joe Harris, SG
2014-15 Stats: 2.8 PTS, 0.8 REB, 39.4 3P%, 10.4 MIN, 6.8 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
Another wing facing scarce playing time, Harris has gotten some run with the D-League's Canton Charge as of late.
Cleveland will need the 23-year-old's outside shooting in the future, but for now, he'll have to be patient and learn from the veterans.
No. 10: Mike Miller, G/F
2 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 2.4 PTS, 1.9 REB, 33.3 3P%, 15.1 MIN, 4.8 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
Of the "Let It Fly" bench group (Miller, Jones, Harris), it's Miller that's most regularly plugged into the rotation.
A member of the starting lineup for the better part of December, Miller actually performed quite well. He connected on 42.1 percent of his three-pointers over a 10-game span. Unfortunately, 2015 has not been as kind. He's down to just 25.0 percent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from deep since the calendar changed.
Now, his primary value lies as a locker-room voice and extension of the coaching staff. Miller's personality doesn't change whether he plays 30 minutes or three, as he's always encouraging teammates and maintaining a consummate professional role.
No. 9: Matthew Dellavedova, PG
3 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 4.2 PTS, 2.9 AST, 40.2 3P%, 20.2 MIN, 7.4 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
Dellavedova's role has remained pretty constant throughout the year, even with an ever-changing cast around him.
As the only point guard on the roster other than Irving, Dellavedova's job is to help move the ball, play defense and knock down the open three. He's a poor shot-creator for himself, often relying on one-handed floaters when getting within 10 feet of the hoop.
His best quality is a motor that never stops. Dellavedova is constantly active on both ends, diving for loose balls and taking charges at will. His harassment of opposing guards has resulted in a paltry 29 percent success rate from three, a drop of 5.3 percent from their season average, via NBA.com.
No. 8: Shawn Marion, G/F
4 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 4.9 PTS, 3.5 REB, 0.5 BLK, 20.0 MIN, 10.9 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
The Matrix will call it quits after this season following an illustrious 16-year career.
Although presumably healthy, Marion has witnessed his playing time decline dramatically in the past few weeks. In his last six games, Marion has registered more than eight minutes of court time just once.
Besides a championship pedigree, Marion brings a tremendous level of defensive versatility to the Cavaliers. He's holding opponents to below their season shooting average from within 10 feet (minus-2.2 percent) and from three-point range (minus-4.9 percent), via NBA.com.
The debate for Marion's Hall of Fame candidacy could continue for years. Adding a second title to his resume would certainly help, however.
No. 7: Iman Shumpert, SG
5 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 7.2 PTS, 2.3 REB, 1.3 STL, 44.7 3P%, 20.6 MIN, 12.9 PER
Stock: Rising ⇑
This is where the Cavaliers' rotation really starts to tighten.
Limited early by a return from a separated shoulder, Shumpert has come on strong as of late. He's surprisingly been the Cavaliers' best three-point shooter and has remained incredibly efficient from the field as well (50.8 percent). Cleveland scores 116.3 points per 100 possessions with Shumpert on the floor, compared to 111.4 with him off, via 82games.com.
On the other end, Shumpert is arguably the team's best perimeter defender. Able to guard three positions, he's holding opposing shooting guards to a 9.3 player efficiency rating, via 82games.com.
Blatt will have a tough decision whether to plug Shumpert into the starting lineup in place of Smith or leave the rotation as-is.
No. 6: Tristan Thompson, PF/C
6 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 9.1 PTS, 8.4 REB, 0.9 BLK, 53.4 FG%, 28.4 MIN, 15.8 PER
Stock: Falling ⇓
Thompson should be plenty refreshed for the last two months, thanks to what looked like a nice little vacation during the All-Star break.
His hiatus was definitely deserved. Thompson has continued his hard work on the glass all season and has become a better shot-blocker as well.
Although now in a reserve role following the trade for Mozgov, Thompson hasn't complained whatsoever. His minutes have remained strong (27.2 in February), while his efficiency has actually spiked (63.6 percent shooting from field).
No. 5: J.R. Smith, SG
7 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 14.3 PTS, 3.3 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.7 STL, 32.1 MIN, 13.2 PER
Stock: Rising ⇑
Smith has fit in better with the Cavs than anyone could have expected.
A throw-in by the New York Knicks in a deal that also landed Shumpert, Smith has been on his best behavior following years of questionable on- and off-court decisions.
Why has he been able to instantly click?
"Just spacing the court. I've had a lot of wide-open shots. We play a lot of transition basketball, so it's my kind of game. Everything else is just off of feel," Smith told Bleacher Report before a February 5 game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Although a starter for now, Smith's best role may eventually be as the team's sixth man.
No. 4: Timofey Mozgov, C
8 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 10.7 PTS, 8.6 REB, 1.6 BLK, 58.7 FG%, 27.1 MIN, 18.8 PER
Stock: Rising ⇑
Cleveland's new enforcer down low, Mozgov is exactly what the Cavs needed to protect the paint.
He holds the Cavaliers' best net rating (plus-9.9), even higher than James (plus-8.5), Irving (plus-6.6) and Love (plus-5.9), via NBA.com. He does an excellent job of playing off others on offense while using his size and surprising quickness to handle both centers and driving guards on defense.
The 7'1" mountain of a man has dominated opponents inside, holding them to just 39.0 percent shooting within six feet of the basket over the last 10 games, per NBA.com.
No. 3: Kevin Love, PF
9 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 17.0 PTS, 10.4 REB, 2.3 AST, 34.7 MIN, 19.0 PER
Stock: Steady ↔
The newest GQ cover boy, it's essentially a lock that Love will finally be making his first playoff appearance in the NBA.
While on the surface it appears Love is struggling, given his drop in stats, he's actually having a nice year in Cleveland. The Cavaliers don't always need his scoring, and Love has been more than happy to swallow his ego and contribute in other areas as well, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com:
""I'm just doing what's being asked of me," Love said. "I think I've kind of been doing that all year. I've been keeping my head up and keeping positive, glass half-full. And I'm just trying to impact the game in other ways as best I can. I think tonight I did that on the defensive end -- stuff that doesn't necessarily show up in the stat sheet, and I've been trying to rebound the ball and get inside the paint a little bit more these past few games."
"
Love leads the team in rebounding, and Cleveland scores nearly four more points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, according to 82games.com.
Missing out on the All-Star Game may be a blessing in disguise for Love, as he's had back problems throughout the first half. Expect a healthy and refreshed Love to surface now for the stretch run.
No. 2: Kyrie Irving, PG
10 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 21.7 PTS, 3.3 REB, 5.3 AST, 1.5 STL, 37.7 MIN, 21.0 PER
Stock: Steady ↔
Irving recently wrapped up his third All-Star appearance despite not turning 23 yet, joining James, Shaquille O'Neal, Isiah Thomas and Kobe Bryant as the only five players in history to accomplish such a feat.
Thanks to playing alongside James, Irving's efficiency has thrived. He's up to a career-best 41.4 percent shooting from deep. Also thanks to James' presence, Irving finally has a winning record this deep into a season, telling Bob Finnan of The News-Herald: "I’m really excited. We have the same amount of wins at the break that we had all last year. That was an accomplishment for me and my team, but now we have to gear up for something far bigger, and that’s a playoff run, a championship run."
After three straight trips to the lottery, Irving's Cavs will finally be playing meaningful basketball in April and beyond.
No. 1: LeBron James, SF
11 of 11
2014-15 Stats: 25.9 PTS, 5.6 REB, 7.3 AST, 1.5 STL, 36.6 MIN, 25.5 PER
Stock: Steady ↔
James is still, and will likely be for years, the Cavaliers' best player.
Since returning from a two-week break in early January to rest his knee and back, James has appeared more mobile and thrown down some dunks not before witnessed this season. He's averaging 27.3 points and 6.3 rebounds since his time off, compared to 25.2 points and 5.3 rebounds prior.
With 29 games to go, it's James' responsibility to prepare the rest of the younger Cavaliers for their upcoming playoff run.
“(They have to) play with a sense of urgency and understand how important each game is,” James told Bob Finnan of The News-Herald. “They have never been in this situation where every game is meaningful. It is now. It’s going to set them up for the postseason.”
Leading a team full of young talent and pieced-together veterans with limited experience as a unit, this could be James' greatest test yet.
Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bleacher Report since 2010.
All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted. All quotes obtained firsthand unless cited.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
