JB Bickerstaff has no shortage of ambitions for his Cavaliers on a statistical level. “ We may not yet be the best defense in the league. But I think we finished last season with the 8th most efficient offense. Our goal is to be in the Top 5 in both categories. If we succeed, it will allow us to go far “, rightly stares at the Cleveland coach.
Seeing a team finish so highly ranked on both ends of the court is rare, but the Cavs weren’t far off last year. With 116 points scored per game, over 100 possessions, his team was indeed in the top 10 for best attacks (9th), while being the best defense in the country (110 points).
Can the Cavaliers’ attack, which stalled in the playoffs against the Knicks (103 points in the first round), become more efficient? JB Bickerstaff answers in the affirmative. Initially asked what to show him Donovan Mitchellthe Cavs coach begins with a promise: “ You’re going to see a change in our offensive system. »
“ Two years ago (editor’s note: before the arrival of Donovan Mitchell), we relied on a lot of movement of the ball and the players. We will try to get back to that, where everyone moves more, where the ball moves more. Then he (Donovan Mitchell) will have the opportunity, once the defense moves, to do what he does best », Projects the technician.
Not too much insulation in Cleveland
His team, however, was little concerned by the phenomenon of isolation. With seven such possessions on average, the Cavs played half as many as the Mavericks, leaders in this area. And Donovan Mitchell was very far away players, including Luka Doncic, who resort to isolation the most.
Collectively, JB Bickerstaff believes “ that we will have to ask everyone to be a little more dynamic, to be a little more difficult to find. When you defend on an elite player like Donovan, he automatically has the advantage. All he has to do is play the game. »
The former Jazz player’s quota of assists could thus start to rise again. Author of his best career season, with better shooting efficiency, Donovan Mitchell distributed one less caviar compared to his last year in Utah.
Next year, he will have even more shooters to find. “ Add guys like Max (Strus), George (Niang), they can move, create movement and get shots in thanks to movement. Opponents are chasing them, and you always have the option to play the pick-and-roll with Darius (Garland), Donovan, Evan (Mobley) and Jarrett (Allen)”, recalls the coach who therefore intends to generate variety in his attack.
