With two days of training camp in the books, the Cleveland Cavaliers already have a lot to talk about. Wednesday’s practice included comments from head coach David Blatt, point-forward LeBron James, guard J.R. Smith, and veteran swingman Richard Jefferson.
Blatt seems much more relaxed during his second training camp in Cleveland. He had plenty of praise for Smith, who will hold down the starting shooting guard role with Iman Shumpert missing an extended period of time due to his wrist injury.
“J.R. showed last year and throughout his career that he is more than capable as a starter,” said Blatt. “He doesn’t have to worry about fitting in anymore, he’s very much a part of us.
“I love coaching the guy,” Blatt went on, “I’ve said that before and I’ll say it again.”
Meanwhile, LeBron was very positive on the newish-look Cavaliers this season, no matter how many players may be injured to start the year. One player specifically that James is very high on? Kevin Love. The Akron native agreed that the now-curly-haired All-Star is in a much more comfortable position in 2015. With a year in Cleveland under his belt, James expects big things out of Love.
With all the injuries, James believes Mo Williams and Richard Jefferson were huge pickups this offseason. Williams can not only spread the floor, but he can play both the one- or two-guard. Jefferson, on the other hand, can play either wing spot. James said that the team’s newfound depth will enable him to get more rest throughout the regular season.
Injuries last year showed Love and Irving how important they are to the team, now James hopes that they can prove how important they are out on the court.
Other Camp Notes:
- The team has looked for new ways that they can take advantage of Kevin Love’s skill set, which could include more post play — both high and low.
- Blatt had plenty of praise for Smith, and Smith had the same for his head coach. “Coach really cares about me as a person and that’s one of the first coaches I have had that actually cares about me off the court more than on the court,” Smith said. “So it makes it that much easier to just play for him and give it my all because I already know that he cares about me as a person, regardless of if I play basketball again in my life. When you have someone like that behind you, it’s so much easier just to play. I’d run through a brick wall for coach, he knows that and everybody else in this gym knows that.”
- Shump’s injury really hit home for Smith, who has been teammates with him since their days back in New York.
- Smith agrees that the Cavs are more defensive-orientad team than any team that he has been on.
- Reasons Richard Jefferson came to Cleveland: the team and fan base are great, a clear role in backing up LeBron and playing limited minutes, and the fact that the Cavaliers are one of the few teams that has a shot at a ring.
- Jefferson can play either the two or three, and will do whatever is needed in order to help the team