Not A Recap: Things I Noticed at the Wine & Gold Scrimmage

The Cavaliers took the court in front of their fans for the first time as NBA champions for this afternoon’s Wine & Gold Scrimmage. Unlike previous seasons, the score was reset after each of the three ten-minute periods, and with players switching sides throughout, there was no real winner. My wife and I took the kids down to the Q for the festivities, and in between dealing with two preschool-aged children, here were a few things I noticed.

1. As everyone likely knows, LeBron James didn’t play today. After the game, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said that it was a rest day for James, and that he’ll have a light preseason schedule similar to the one he had last year. That’s completely understandable, but it’s still disappointing for the fans who came down, particularly kids who may have been coming to see James in action for the first time. James was engaged in the game, and spent some time encouraging a frustrated DeAndre Liggins after the latter left the game with 6:09 left in the third period.
2. On a side note, James has been wearing a practice jersey with the number six on it during training camp. This was his number with the Miami Heat, so he may be going back to it.
3. Mike Dunleavy looked great in his first action as a Cavalier, finishing 5-for-6 from deep for 15 points. In fact, those were the only shots Dunleavy took, and his shot looked incredibly smooth. There has been some justified concern about Dunleavy, since he’s 36 years old and played only 31 games for the Bulls last season due to back injuries. Today served as a reminder that Dunleavy is really good when healthy. With so many other wings on the team, the Cavaliers should be able to make sure that Dunleavy–as well as the other older players on the team—gets the rest he needs while still contributing on a regular basis.
4. Kevin Love looked sharp in scoring ten points on 4-of-6 shooting. We hear every season about how seemingly every player in the league is in the best shape of their lives, but Love does look much stronger than last season.
5. Iman Shumpert also looked leaner than last year and had the play of the night in throwing the hammer down on a lob from Kyrie Irving. If the Cavaliers can get the Iman Shumpert from the 2015 playoffs back this season, then the team will be that much stronger.
6. Kay Felder started at point guard for the Wine and his day was a mixed bag. He was able to get into the lane and dishing to teammates, but struggled to get his shot off, finishing just 1-of-6 from the field. He showed good effort and focus on the defensive end, but seemed confused over where he was supposed to be at times, and looked completely unable to switch onto other players, a tactic Ty Lue uses a lot. Like any rookie, Felder will need game time to work on these things, and if he doesn’t earn a spot in the rotation, look for him to spend a lot of time with the Canton Charge.
7. Jordan McRae played a lot, but mostly as a shooting guard looking for his own shot. Like Felder he had four assists—although he had two turnovers to Felder’s one—and like Felder, he struggled with his shot, going 2-of-9 from the field. While McRae will almost definitely make the team, his contract is non-guaranteed, and he was outplayed by some of the other players invited to camp. I often wonder if McRae fits under the label of an “AAAA player”, too good for the D-League, and not quite good enough to earn a rotation spot for a good NBA team. His best skill is creating hit own shot, but he simply isn’t very efficient in doing so.
8. The previously mentioned DeAndre Liggins, allegedly a favorite to make the roster, showed some of the things that intrigue the Cavaliers’ brass. He ran the point, sometimes taking turns with Shumpert—my dark horse pick for backup point guard—while also playing off the ball some as a floor spacer. He hit a three, and also was able to get to the basket when he needed to. Liggins also has good size length for a guard, and is big enough to guard some small forwards. He definitely looked like he could help the Cavaliers. Liggins brings defense, shooting, and the ability to play both on and off the ball. Sounds a little like somebody else we know (albeit a more turnover-prone version).
9. Liggins wasn’t the only training camp invite who had some moments. Markel Brown looked solid running the point, and played very good defense, even picking Kyrie Irving’s pocket on one occasion and going the other way for a layup. A poor offensive player during his time with the Brooklyn Nets, Brown scored 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting, including two threes, and also went 2-of-2 from the line. Despite the threes, Brown’s shooting form definitely needs some work, but he seems to be up for the challenge. If the Cavaliers decide that Felder or McRae aren’t ready for the backup point guard spot, then it wouldn’t be a shock to see one of Brown or Liggins earn the job.
10. Dahntay Jones looked a lot like the player who gave the Cavaliers some surprise minutes in the NBA Finals. He was aggressive in attacking the basket, and played the same physical defense that he’s been known for throughout his career. Assuming J.R. Smith re-signs with the Cavaliers soon, they will have two roster spots available for their training camp invites. Based on today’s scrimmage, Liggins, Brown, and Jones would seem like the leading contenders for those spots.
11. None of the rest of the invitees did much to stand out today. John Holland seesms like practice bodies headed for Canton, and Eric Moreland didn’t even participate in today’s scrimmage (he may be dealing with an injury, but that just makes it more unlikely that he earns a spot). Cory Jefferson—and to a lesser extent Jonathan Holmes—seemed willing to mix it up down low, and kept Chris Andersen from scoring around the rim, but that may have had more to do with Andersen than the efforts of the other players.
12. Khloe Kardashian was in the house, and got quite the reaction from the crowd. So there’s that.

The Cavaliers truly kick off their preseason when they host the Orlando Magic this Wednesday. That should help begin to shed more light on the various battles going on this training camp.