Who stays. Who goes

[JZCane0825]

Well that's big. I know he isn't highly thought of around here but he's a solid all around player and much needed.

He was playing out of position all last year and still averaged close to 14 and 6 on 49% from the field and 36% from 3. Going to be even more effective at the 3.

 

[Cribby]

Poplar to UK would be a nice fit. Basketball players don’t go to class there.

 

[Gables Canes]

Cleveland back is great news. Hopefully we can let him play his more natural position (the 3)

Badly need another big or two, preferably a defensive minded one. Also really need a PG

 

[Miami04]

So this is where we're at rn I think

PG: TBD/Pack
SG: Pack/Bethea/Schwartz
SF: Cleveland/Djobet/Johnson-Arigu
PF: Brandon Johnson
C: Lynn Kidd

Need at least 3 more players. 1 PG, 1 PF, 1 C. Preferably 4 more.

I imagine Pack will play some 1 and Cleveland will play some 4 interchangeably.

I’m not sure that roster makes the dance. Would have felt much better with Omier.

 

[Da Jumbo Mutombo]

I’m not sure that roster makes the dance. Would have felt much better with Omier.

Hard to tell until we see the remaining 2-3 pieces. But it's not a bad start so far.

 

[va.cane]

Great new on Matt Cleveland

Slot him in at the 3 position and GET TWO MORE Bigs

Hopefully L won’t forget how dreadful last year was with no big besides Omier

2 more bigs and we go dancing

 

[IncaneInTheBrain]

 

[IncaneInTheBrain]

Floor spacing with Kidd and Cleveland could be a problem

 

[JZCane0825]

Floor spacing with Kidd and Cleveland could be a problem

3 pt percentages last year:

Cleveland - 36%
Pack - 36%
Brandon Johnson - 36.5%

Our floor spacing is fine.

 

[IncaneInTheBrain]

3 pt percentages last year:

Cleveland - 36%
Pack - 36%
Brandon Johnson - 36.5%

Our floor spacing is fine.

Cleveland's problem isn't the percentage, its the fact that it takes him 15 minutes to get the shot off

 

[casualcane]

Well that's big. I know he isn't highly thought of around here but he's a solid all around player and much needed.

Matt played out of position all year. Frankly, I was apathetic on his return until I saw him going to the 3

 

[Da Jumbo Mutombo]

Matt played out of position all year. Frankly, I was apathetic on his return until I saw him going to the 3

How do you anticipate this improving his game?

Bball has moved towards a position less style of game. Aside from getting abused in the post and rebounding, how will he benefit from going to the 3?

 

[casualcane]

Matt tried to do too much last year. Miller was able to play the 4 because he had the knack for making the right decisions near the basket.

Matt is much better using his size to create mismatches on the jump shot/driving. He’s no post player/passer.

 

[EightiesCane]

How do you anticipate this improving his game?

Bball has moved towards a position less style of game. Aside from getting abused in the post and rebounding, how will he benefit from going to the 3?

He will be matched up with players that are more his size or smaller. I can envision him having an easier time scoring, rebounding, and defending those types of players. At least, we can hope it translates—just my opinion.

Most importantly, we need him to be a guy who can get a bucket like McGusty/Wong on the elite 8 team or MIller/Wong on the final 4 team.

Adding players like Javon Small, Jalen Blackmon, and Sean Stewart would make this team formidable.

 

[Notsince1985]

Cleveland averaged 13.7 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 79% from FT, 36% from 3 and 48% from the field

The biggest problem people have with him is that he's not Jordan Miller.

 

[Cribby]

Cleveland averaged 13.7 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 79% from FT, 36% from 3 and 48% from the field

The biggest problem people have with him is that he's not Jordan Miller.

He’s feast or famine. It’s either real good or he’s invisible. That’s something he needs to improve on.

 

[King of Allapattah]

Keyshawn George was the only player from Miami to receive an invite to the 2024 NBA Draft combine being held in Chicago later this month.

 

[Geddy Lee]

So Pack, Cleveland, Djobet, Kidd, Johnson, Blackmon, and the 3 freshmen is what L has now. Who do you guys go after? Another center, forward, and guard?

Do any other guys plan on visiting soon?

 

[BWCD]

He’s feast or famine. It’s either real good or he’s invisible. That’s something he needs to improve on.

Great point. That's why I was okay if he stayed or went. A bit of nuance that's lost for most...you can put in X minutes a game and be on the floor...but what percentage of those minutes are you a JAG out there, and what percentage are you actually impacting the game? It was too much of the former too often for Cleveland. Especially after we had been spoiled by Jordan Miller punching the time clock and being impactful **** near every minute he was on campus at the 4.

Maybe Cleveland playing more 3 and less 4 will be helpful to what impact he can make. Now that he's for sure back on the roster, we'll need him to be impactful and not disappear.

 

[BWCD]

Cleveland averaged 13.7 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 79% from FT, 36% from 3 and 48% from the field

The biggest problem people have with him is that he's not Jordan Miller.

We did get spoiled by Miller for sure.

The hope was Cleveland could step in and be what we needed at the 4 in his departure, but I just feel like the chemistry and roster makeup last year didn't lean in Cleveland's favor either. Some of it was the injuries/thin roster, some of it was Cleveland disappearing at times too...that's a valid criticism and obvious when you watched the games, regardless of the final average stats.

I hope he keeps working, improves his game, and becomes a consistent solid 3 that can give us spot minutes at the 4 in smaller lineups.