Cleveland Cavaliers · 7 notes
Sam Merrill went through all of Cleveland's practice, scrimmaging included — "really good news," Kenny Atkinson said. Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who had earned a rotation spot, is out for a stretch with no return date; his spot goes to the "best player," not a like-for-like swap.
I've made that mistake before... the guy tweaks an ankle.
Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson said Nae'Qwan Tomlin sat out practice and Sam Merrill was limited; Khalifa Diop is "coming back from a setback." Atkinson wants a 10-man rotation, likely named only at game time: "I've made that mistake before... the guy tweaks an ankle."
Having a bigger guy that can do that should be a nice change-up for us.
James Harden was "a little under the weather" at the Cavaliers' scrimmage in Spain and "could have easily just not played," Sam Merrill said. Harden played anyway; Merrill credited the roughly 10,000 fans, mostly kids, cheering him. Kenny Atkinson: "I don't see any slippage."
Mario Hezonja gives the Cavaliers a bigger, rim-attacking option off the bench, Sam Merrill said, naming him a camp standout with Peyton Watson and rookie Meleek Thomas. "Having a bigger guy that can do that should be a nice change-up for us."
He's kind of taken that Jaylon Tyson role last year.
Tyrese Proctor has exceeded expectations in Cavaliers camp, Donovan Mitchell said: stronger, and picking up Mitchell and James Harden full court. "He's kind of taken that Jaylon Tyson role last year." Sam Merrill praised his shooting and his defense on the ball.
You want to play me at center, I'll play and find a way to paddle and figure it out.
Sam Merrill at Cavaliers practice: Peyton Watson on the wing with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is "a lot of length and something we haven't totally had," which may let Cleveland pressure less yet still force turnovers. He also backed more playmaking from Allen and Mobley.
Sam Merrill, asked about more time at shooting guard, said he usually guards point guards and will play anywhere: "You want to play me at center, I'll play and find a way to paddle and figure it out." On Donovan Mitchell's extension: "Donovan's always been 100% committed here."