Will a starting backcourt of Kyrie & Waiters ever work in the future? Or will Waiters size prevent that? @Lytleman13
It’s not Cavs guard Dion Waiters’ size so much as their ability to play together on offense. Waiters’ size was a bit of a concern before the season, particularly for an organization that likes bigger guards.
But Waiters’ on-ball defense has probably been better than Kyrie Irving’s. The problem with Waiters is some of those silly shots he takes and he sometimes relaxes defensively when his man doesn’t have the ball — a common trait among rookies. The biggest issue remains Waiters needing the ball in his hands to be effective.
Coach Byron Scott said this week some of the issues may have to be worked out in the summer, although I contend with the team so far out of the playoff race, now is the perfect chance to let Waiters and Irving figure this out.
Could you provide Kyrie’s stats in back-to-backs? Seems like he really struggles in Game 2. @boomhauertjs
Nine times this season, Irving has played both games on back-to-back nights. He is averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 assists, 3.9 turnovers and shooting 44 percent the second night. He entered the game Saturday at Utah averaging 23.3 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 turnovers and shooting 46 percent for the season.
The numbers are down slightly when playing a back-to-back, but that’s probably to be expected. It’s nothing alarming.
After two years, is there anyone from 2011 draft you’d rather have than Tristan at 4? @T_Gannon
Funny you should ask. A group of us were just chatting about this same topic on this road trip. If you redrafted the 2011 class right now, a strong case could be made for Tristan Thompson to go second overall behind Irving.
Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter, picks two and three, have been largely ineffective. Thompson, however, is averaging 13.7 points and 12.1 rebounds in his past 15 games, and his 24 career double-doubles are the most in the league for guys 21 or younger. After Thompson, the draft went: Jonas Valanciunas, Jan Vesely, Bismack Biyombo, Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker and Jimmer Fredette. Klay Thompson, who went 11th to the Warriors, has been better than all of those guys.
Valanciunas could still blossom into a fine player, but I see nothing wrong with the way Thompson is developing this season. I’d stick with him.
