Under the radar after an average start to the season, the Cavaliers will enter the second part of the season in 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Although deprived of Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, JB Bickerstaff's players are the team in form on the East Coast with five victories in a row, and we therefore find them in the same place as last season. In front of them, the same three teams: Boston, Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
If the Cavaliers remain in the Eastern square, it is because Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are playing at their best level, but also because the “role players” manage to take turns to support them. As Dean Wade this night against the Bulls. Starting 24 times this season, the Cleveland power forward appears to be the weak link in the starting five. He's not a great shooter, nor a great dribbler. But his versatility in defense is valuable, and his coach maintains his confidence in him.
Mitchell yells at him
Against the Bulls, he did well to leave it on the field. While he was 1 out of 7 on shots before the 4th quarter, Dean Wade will suddenly find his feet, and plant 12 points at 100% on shots! If we add his 7 rebounds and his 3 assists, we understand why Donovan Mitchell believes a lot in him.
“He’s a different guy (when he’s confident). I yell at him to shoot, and the good thing is that he doesn't take it badly.” says Donovan Mitchell. “He appreciates the support, and so do all of us. When I or someone else makes the pass to him, and he pretends to shoot, I'm there telling him: 'Dude, you're one of the best players on the team, draw!' We saw it in the 4th quarter. He changed the course of the match. When he's like that, we're at our best. »
Same speech from Jarrett Allen, who benefits greatly from having a “stretch 4” at his side. “It's good to have a lot of shooters, but it's even more special when Dean takes shots. From the first to the last guy in the squad, everyone appreciates when Dean shoots and especially when he succeeds.
The priority of priorities: defend
Usually very measured in his expressions, Dean Wade even indulged in a celebration after a 3-point basket. “I was just frustrated with myself and the way I was shooting in the first half… It felt good to make a few, and my teammates were so happy for me, that I coward ” he confirms after miming a rifle shot.
Pushed by his teammates to shoot, Dean Wade recalls that this is not his first role, and he owes his place in the five first to his defense. Against the Bulls, he stole three balls, to equal his career record.
“My first job is to defend. There is also the shoot, but that is not the most important thing. The hardest thing I have to do is defend, usually on a good player, or like tonight on their best player, with DeMar. That was my main concern and what I usually focus on. The shots will come on their own. We have so many weapons on offense that it makes my job easier. »
| Dean Wade | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 12 | 6 | 69.2 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 63 | 19 | 43.1 | 36.6 | 76.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 6.0 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 51 | 19 | 45.6 | 35.9 | 66.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 5.3 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 44 | 20 | 41.2 | 35.4 | 65.2 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 4.7 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 30 | 22 | 39.4 | 36.4 | 83.3 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 5.1 |
| Total | 200 | 19 | 43.2 | 36.3 | 72.1 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 5.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
