CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and guest Chris Fedor discuss the upcoming NBA season, focusing on the impact of rookie max extensions on players like Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Franz Wagner.
Takeaways:
- Evan Mobley is a top defensive player in the league, but he needs to demand the ball more on offense to have a breakout season.
- Franz Wagner is poised for a breakout season, and the Magic could surprise this season with their depth.
- Scottie Barnes could take the cake with his improved supporting cast and continued growth throughout his career.
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Read the automated transcript of today’s podcast below. Because it’s a computer-generated transcript, it may contain errors and misspellings.
Ethan Sands
What up, Cavs Nation? I’m your host, Ethan Sands, and I’m back with another episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast. Joining me today, the man, the myth, the legend, Chris Fedor. I wanted to kind of go back to something we did yesterday with Jimmy real quick, obviously.
Christmas a little bit under the weather. Now he’s back and I wanted to get your power rankings going into the regular season with preseason coming up. What are you thinking about the East and the West? Start me off with the Eastern Conference.
Chris (00:47.752)
I mean, I think it’s pretty straightforward, honestly. I do think Boston’s on a tier by themselves. I think they’re the best team in the NBA. They’re the reigning champions for a reason. When Kristaps Porzingis is healthy and playing well, it’s a cheat code out there for them. Everybody on that roster can shoot. Everybody on that roster can be a skilled playmaker at times too. So I think Boston’s on a tier by themselves and then…
The second tier in the East to me, Ethan, is just a cluster of Philly, New York, Cleveland, and I would say Milwaukee too. I think a lot of people understandably are doubting Milwaukee and wondering if it actually is going to work because the last time we saw the Bucks, it didn’t work the way that it was intended to.
And they’ve got some older players that they’re certainly relying on, including Chris Middleton, who, you know, is once again dealing with an injury. But I like the pickup of Gary Trent Jr. Like I think when, when you’re a team like Milwaukee and you have so much star power and you have so much committed to Dame and Giannis and Chris Middleton as well. Like, can you find some pieces around the margins that, that are cost effective? and also can give you quality minutes.
And I think getting Tori in Prince, Dillon Wright, and Gary Trent Jr., it makes them deeper. It enhances their roster in a big way. Nobody’s going to sit here and say that Gary Trent Jr. is going to go out there and average 25 points per game and be an All-Star or anything like that. But they don’t need that. They just need role players to fill in the gaps on this roster. And that’s something that they were missing last year in a big way. And I think they have more playable depth.
at this point so that they don’t have to rely on AJ Green as much as they did so that they don’t have to rely on Andre Jackson Jr. You know what I mean? Guys who shouldn’t be in the top eight, nine of a rotation for a team that is supposedly built to win a championship. I think they made some smart moves this off season. I understand the doubts. I understand the questions about whether Dame is the right fit next to Giannis, whether Dame is the kind of guy who
Chris (03:08.892)
is what Milwaukee needs. But I think they did some smart things in the off season and I think they belong in that second tier in the Eastern Conference. The thing that stands out to me though, Ethan, is that Boston is such a dominant team, but the teams in that second tier, there are legitimate questions about each and every one of them that could disrupt their regular season, that could alter their
chances of winning big in the playoffs and it makes it like more up for grabs.
Ethan Sands (03:51.671)
Yeah, and I just think it’s it’s definitely getting even more difficult to figure out the East, especially when it comes to the later groups in that category that you mentioned. One that I really have my eye on for this season is the Orlando Magic, not only because they added in contiguous Caldwell Pope, but Jonathan Isaac has reportedly put on some weight for strength in being able to body up as a true five if needed and called upon.
Chris (04:07.403)
Yeah.
Chris (04:16.278)
Yeah.
Ethan Sands (04:21.007)
Jonathan Isaac is also one of the better defenders when it comes to the center position as well. Then you just hear about Wendell Carter Jr. who just recently got an extension with the Orlando Magic. So you look at him as a center that’s going to be paired up with Paolo Banquero in that kind of And another player on that roster that I wanted to keep an eye on for the overarching view for this entire season, not only for
their team specifically, but just for storylines when it comes to this season and what is possible for a lot of the guys that are in the same class, right? I’m talking about Evan Mobley’s draft class and where they are standing when it comes to their contracts, when it comes to everything surrounding their teams, right? Obviously we know there were a couple of big names that got major contract extensions this past off season.
Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner, those guys all got rookie max extension contracts and they were well deserved. But there are a lot of other players that are also in that class that are eligible for extensions. And Chris, I know you know this better than anybody, but the deadline for those extensions, the deadline for those extensions is coming up on October 21st. And it’s kind of figuring out where these teams are going to stand when it comes to
who they value in their rotation, who they value on their rosters, what kind of schemes they’re gonna be putting together. The other players that I’m still looking for to see if they’re gonna get an extension, as I mentioned, Jalen Suggs or the Orlando Magic is one of those guys, when I’m talking about the scheme of their team and where he’s valued at. Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets, Josh Giddy, who’s in Chicago now, Jonathan Kaminga for the Golden State Warriors, and then, I mean,
Chris (06:10.325)
you
Ethan Sands (06:16.667)
Those are the main four guys that are three guys that I’m really looking at. And they’re all in the one through 10 range from that picks for the past couple of drafts, right? And it’s, trying to figure out where they stand. But Chris, I wanted to get into more so the group of players that I talked about earlier, the guys that are on rookie max extension contracts. Like again, I’m gonna repeat myself, Scottie Barnes, Kate Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Evan Mobley.
I’m trying to figure out which of these guys is most primed to have a breakout season. Which one of these guys is going to be able to step up for their teams, especially with most of them on teams that are kind of on the cusp. Obviously the Pistons are rebuilding and trying to figure themselves out. The Raptors as well, but the Magic and the Cavaliers, Franz Wagner, Evan Mobley trying to figure themselves out, especially in a tough Eastern Conference. Who is going to step up?
Chris (06:55.776)
Yeah.
Ethan Sands (07:16.793)
when they needed the most. Last year, think Franz Wagner had Evan Mobley beat when it came to stepping up in big moments. This next season, I think it could be in Evan Mobley’s hands. What do you think?
Chris (07:29.216)
Well, I think the thing that Evan is going to run into is the same thing that that we’ve wondered about Evan for the last number of years. How big is his role going to be on the offensive end of the floor? Like we know Evan already is a top five defensive player in the NBA in terms of nightly impact. If you’re talking about Bam Adebayo, if you’re talking about Victor Wimbenyama, if you’re talking about Chet Holmgren, you’re talking about those caliber players, Evan’s right there.
He’s going to be in the defensive player of the year conversation if he plays enough games to qualify for that because he’s that kind of impactful on the defensive end of the floor. and we know the responsibilities that he’s going to have on the defensive end of the floor. We’ve heard, lot of chatter throughout the course of this off season and into the beginning stages of training camp about expanding evidence role on the offensive end of the floor, but
I just don’t think there’s as much room for it to expand as people want, as maybe even the Cavs believe. Like I do think they’re going to use him differently. I do think they’re going to give him opportunities as a playmaker. I do think they’re going to give him opportunities as an offensive hub. I do think they’re going to try and space him out to the perimeter and see if the spacing between him and Jarrett can be a little less crowded.
I also think there are going to be moments throughout the course of the game, just like this past year, where Evan’s going to be on the floor without Jarrett. And Jarrett’s going to be on the floor without Evan. But still, at the end of the day, in terms of touches, in terms of shots, in terms of usage, Evan Mobley’s not going to be higher than three. Not on this team, not on this makeup, because the ball’s going to be in the hands of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell and…
They’re going to do so much of the initiating and so much of the playmaking and so much of the shooting and the scoring. So I just don’t know, you know, when it comes to like breakout stuff, so many people even look at, okay, what kinds of stats is the guy going to put up? And I just don’t know that there’s as much room on this roster for Evan to have that kind of season. I think there is for Scottie Barnes in Toronto.
Chris (09:49.142)
I think there is for Franz Wagner in Orlando, Franz is the number two option on that team and he’s going to remain the number two option on the team. And we saw what he did in the postseason series at times against the Cavs. I mean, he was a dog in many of those series in a positive way. 34 in one of the games, 26 in another one of the games. Cavs didn’t have an answer for Franz. They didn’t have anybody who could guard him, keep him out of the paint. So I do think, you know, his role is going to continue to expand.
He can continue to expand his game out to the three point line. They’re going to continue to give him opportunities to play, make and create, to kind of take some of that ball handling pressure off of Paulo Banquero. Jaylen Suggs is basically a point guard by position only. He doesn’t actually do the responsibilities of many point guards. He’s more of like a spacer and a catch and shoot guy. So I think a majority of the possessions for Orlando offensively are going to run through Paulo and France as well.
And if you switch it over to Toronto, the majority of the possessions are going to run through, Scottie Barnes. And then if you switch it over to Detroit, a majority of the possessions are going to run through Cade. So I just think there’s more opportunity. And I’ve talked about this so many times, Ethan, production in the NBA is so much a byproduct of opportunity. And I just don’t believe in this current makeup.
that Evan’s going to have the same number of opportunities as some of these other guys. I don’t think he’s going to have the same platform to have that kind of breakout season that so many are wanting him to have.
Ethan Sands (11:26.991)
Well, ESPN agrees to disagree, Chris. They came out with a post earlier on Monday stating 11 different players that they said were on the cusp of being all-stars. Tier 1, number 1, Evan Mobley. And I think with the discussion that we’re having, right? And I agree with you, Chris. It’s going to be very difficult for him to up his percentages.
Chris (11:28.682)
Thank
Ethan Sands (11:57.219)
difficult for him to get into his rhythms if he’s not getting the ball as much as we’ve seen in the past. This year we’ve talked about it already a lot on this podcast. Evan Mobley’s usage is supposed to go up. There’s supposed to be more things ran for him. He’s supposed to be a little bit more at the point of attack when it comes to the offense event as a playmaker. And that could not only help him, but it could also help his teammates as well. I think if his assist numbers go up, this is a different team as well.
talking about how he’s able to facilitate for guys like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, even doing some big on big action with Jared Allen, I think it’s something that we should definitely look forward to. But I also agree with you on the fact that Scottie Barnes, Cate Cunningham and Franz Wagner in this case are in better situations to up their just overall greatness, right? And I think for me,
Chris (12:48.63)
you
Hmm.
Ethan Sands (12:54.039)
The interesting thing is with Franz is how much is Paolo Bencaro going to want the ball in this next season to be able to take over? Is he going to still be okay with sharing the load with Franz and be able to create actions for each other and all those things, which I think is what makes them dangerous. But Paolo is just such an overwhelming force when it comes to the paint. We saw it in the playoffs last year as well when he went up against Isaac Okoro, who just
size-wise wasn’t able to defend him. But I feel like Paolo is on a mission this year and I think he’s definitely going to be in modes where he’s just going to want to take over. And sometimes Franz is going to have to be okay with that. But I definitely think that for me, it’s between those two, right? It’s Evan and Franz and who is going to have the biggest impact on their teams and winning. Unfortunately for Scottie Barnes and Kate Cunningham, that’s just not a
Chris (13:43.894)
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
Ethan Sands (13:51.269)
higher reality for those guys and their teams. Unfortunately for them, but it’s just, it’s so difficult for me to put Franz and Evan in the same category because they’re two different kinds of players. And one thing that I wanted to bring to your attention and get your take on is something that Kevin Garnett said on his podcast earlier this week or a couple of weeks ago, maybe. And he said something about Evan Mobley needs to get meaner.
Chris (13:51.826)
Yeah.
Ethan Sands (14:21.485)
Evan Mobley needs to be more aggressive, call for the ball and do those kinds of things to get the attention, get the actions that he wants, he desires and get the ball in his hands. We’ve talked about this on multiple occasions already on this podcast that I think he needs to be more aggressive, that I think he needs to go out and get his own. And it has to be because he’s confident in the moves that he’s curated over the summer.
Chris (14:38.294)
Mm-hmm.
Ethan Sands (14:47.259)
And it has to be because he’s comfortable with the ball in his hand, putting it on the floor. And something that I asked him during media day was, have you been able to create moves for yourself that you can replicate on multiple occasions in a game and you can adequately go to them without hesitation? And he said, yeah, I can think of a few. So for me, Chris, I think I’m on the same page as KG is
He needs to be more aggressive, needs to be a little bit meaner. Where are you following that conversation?
Chris (15:21.816)
yeah, for sure. He needs to demand the ball from Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. And he needs to believe that demanding the ball from those two guys is good for the team and it’s good for Evan and it’s beneficial for the team. Right? Like that’s one of the things that is so hard with Evan. He is constantly programmed to try and make the right play. He’s constantly looking to sometimes defer to others.
that are more established, that are more polished, that have, you know, a higher profile than him in some cases. And he just has to understand that if this team is going to take the next step, and he needs to believe this too, if this team is going to take the next step, it’s got to be him. Like he has got to be the guy. And he’s got to act like that. And he’s got to be that level of aggressive. And look, like Evan Mobley in aggressive,
Has not been synonymous since going back to his college days at USC. remember having a conversation with his head coach, Andy Enfield, when Evan was coming out of the draft and I did this huge feature on Evan, just in case the Cavs were going to draft him. And one of the things that Andy told me is that, you know, Evan has a reputation for being California chill and laid back, but he shows fire and he is an intense competitor.
He just doesn’t show it the same kind of way maybe as some of these other guys from the past and maybe some of these other guys who are a little bit more demonstrative. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to be great, right? That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to win. And it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have that burning fire inside of him. It’s just all about his own personality and he has to stay true to himself. I do think we are seeing Evan as he gets more comfortable in his own skin.
uncomfortable in the NBA starting to see him celebrate a little bit more starting to see him roar a little bit more starting to see him demand look in that in that series against Boston toward the end of it when there was no Donovan Mitchell there was no Caris Levert there was no Jared Allen that was a different Evan Mobley and it wasn’t just different in terms of production it wasn’t just different in terms of where he was on the floor it was different in terms of intensity in terms of passion
Chris (17:48.062)
in terms of energy, in terms of body language, in terms of yappiness, if you want to go that way. that showed like a step forward for Evan in terms of getting more and more comfortable. But is he always going to be the mouthiest dude? No, he’s not. Is he always going to be the guy who brings the most energy? No, he’s not. Is he always going to be the most demonstrative? No, he’s not.
I remember talking to his brother, Isaiah Mobley, and he said, hey, look, we’re different. I talk. I talk all the time. I’ve been talking trash since I got out of the crib, basically. Like Evan isn’t the same kind of way, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not competitive. Doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want to win. So I do understand where people are coming from because Evan doesn’t show it. And if you don’t show it, people wonder about it. Right?
And people have wondered about that with Evan going back to his college days.
Ethan Sands (18:52.101)
For me, obviously I like to talk crap. I like all that good stuff, right? That’s part of my essence. But for somebody like Evan, who’s more chill, more laid back, more quiet, reserved, whatever word you want to use, I want to see more of like a Tim Duncan kind of perspective out of him, right? When it comes to the quote unquote trash talking. I remember watching a video of DeMarcus Cousins talking about how Tim Duncan just gave him the business and all the talking that he did.
was giving them a smack on the behind and running back down the court to defense. Like, sometimes that’s all you gotta do. To put people back into their little boxes and remind them of who they are. But I also wanted to…
Chris (19:23.867)
Yeah.
Chris (19:28.608)
Yeah, right.
Chris (19:34.998)
also think it’s, I think there’s something else here, Ethan. Like I think it’s hard for somebody like Evan, right? He came into a situation where, you know, when he got here, it was a little bit different, right? And then all of a sudden Donovan Mitchell comes. So you’re surrounded by all these guys who are looked at more as leaders, more as the rah rah type guys, more of the
I’m going to rally all of you around me sort of thing. So I think when Evan came into the league, I don’t know if timid is the right way to put this, but I think he was a little bit more timid because there was already some stuff established and then quickly as he continued to progress, there was more stuff established. You know, when he got here, Jared Allen was here and Jared Allen was kind of like the mouthpiece of the defense.
He was kind of the quiet leader. He was the lead by example type guy. And Darius Garland was here and his name was front and center of this organization and flashing lights, right? He was the guy for this team. So even though, you know, Evan was the third overall pick and his name was plastered up on billboards the first day that he landed in Cleveland, it was still a different kind of situation where there were some other guys.
that could kind of take on that role that you’re talking about. And then of course, Donovan came and then Max Struess came, right? And then George Nian came. like, I think Evan wonders how much of that kind of stuff do I need to do? How much of that kind of stuff am I responsible for? Or do I defer to all these other guys that have done more in the NBA than me? That have won at a higher level than me. You know what I mean?
So I think even though there were high expectations for Evan, and even though this organization has talked about him as being the one and the transcendent player in the organization, there were already some other players established in front of him that I think it was easier for him early in his career to kind of blend and just fit in.
Ethan Sands (21:55.641)
Yeah. And I mean, the other guys in these groups that we’re talking about in this rookie maximum kind of quad that we’re talking about, Scottie Barnes, Kate Cunningham, Franz Wagner. I mean, maybe Franz, maybe less so, but Scottie and Kate didn’t have no time to adjust. They said, okay, you are the flashing lights. You are the guy on the billboard that is bringing everybody to town. You are going to save this team, right?
Chris (22:14.876)
Right.
Ethan Sands (22:24.547)
Evan didn’t have that. But the other thing that makes the conversation difficult of Evan Mobley taking a step, taking a jump is what you mentioned to a very, very good point that he wants to make the best read and the best play every single time down the floor. And that is showing up in his field goal percentage compared to everybody else’s, right? In the three seasons since the 2021 class was drafted,
Evan Mobley has averaged 54.4 % from the field in those three seasons. Scottie Barnes, 47.4%. Cade Cunningham, 43.2%. Franz Wagner, 47.9%. So Evan Mobley is the only player that averages 50 % or more from the field in his first three seasons in the league, but he’s also the only player that has been kept.
under 19 points per game of those four players. So it’s very difficult to see how he’s gonna make that jump unless he’s willing to make mistakes. He’s willing to be like, okay, I’m working on this. I wanna get better at it in game. We saw the reps, we’ve seen the videos, we’ve seen all of this stuff in training camp and during the off season, but are you willing to make mistakes to better yourself during the season? That will help you.
Chris (23:32.051)
Mm-hmm.
Ethan Sands (23:48.961)
Maybe even just taking more shots. And that’s the hardest conversation, right? Because if Evan Mobley is taking more shots, who are you taking shots away from? And with this Cavs team, it’s like, well, everybody needs to shoot to feel confident. And as Jimmy says, you have to have confidence to shoot and you need to shoot to have confidence. So I just think it’s really difficult on this team for him to grow to that next level.
Chris (23:52.501)
Mm-hmm.
Chris (23:59.146)
Mm-hmm.
Chris (24:12.277)
Yep.
Ethan Sands (24:18.127)
But I want to see it from Evan, right? Like this is who we see as the most important guy for this team going forward. And if Evan Mobley can’t do that, if other players on the cast aren’t willing to sacrifice in the beginning parts of the season, I think this cast team can have difficulty when it comes to playoff expansion or getting further into the playoffs and all those different things because of how important he is.
Chris (24:26.699)
Mm-hmm.
Ethan Sands (24:46.611)
on both the offensive and defensive side. Cause also in the podcast I was talking about earlier, KG emphasized offense. Paul Pierce emphasized, okay, you need to be in the DPOY conversation for the Cavs to be in the running. And he’s already in it, right? Like he’s going to be in it for going forward.
Chris (25:07.414)
He’s been in it since he got to the NBA. Like, what are we talking about here, Paul? Like, come on now. Pay attention. No, I mean, I think that’s a good point that you make, Ethan. And it’s something that Kenny Atkinson talked about. And he talked about it on Friday, actually, in Sarasota. He said, look, we understand that there are going to be growing pains in terms of trying to use Evan in a certain kind of way within this offense.
Ethan Sands (25:10.713)
Right, so, well that’s the truth for you.
Chris (25:34.186)
We understand that he’s not used to playing out on the Parade. We understand that he’s not used to being such an involved playmaker in an offensive hub. We understand that he has grown comfortable in the NBA, being close to the basket at the dunker spot, playing out of the pocket, things along those lines. But look, there’s a bigger picture in play when it comes to Evan Mobley and the importance of him in this organization. And that’s what Kenny said.
He said, we’re going to deal with the growing pains. We understand that they’re coming. Every single player on this roster understands that they’re coming, including Evan, but we’re committed to this because we think it’s going to be best for us long-term and in terms of sustainable success. And I thought that was really, really important for Kenny to talk about that and for Kenny to admit that and to show a level of understanding of that.
Because that was one of the bigger questions that I had. Like, okay, it’s really, really nice to have these conversations in the off season and in training camp and going into the preseason and stuff like that. But what happens when it doesn’t look as good as you would want? What happens if Evan goes four for 16 and for five from three point range, right? Like, are you committed to that fully or are you just experimenting with that idea? And to me, it’s
a full on commitment to making Evan evolve as an offensive force. And I think that’s a really, really good thing. If it happens, obviously it changes the trajectory of this team. It changes how far they can go. and I think everybody inside the organization, including Kenny fully understands that.
Ethan Sands (27:22.427)
For me, because I want to wrap this up to go back to the original question, who do we think could be the most impactful or have the biggest jump for their team when it comes to these guys that are under rookie max contracts? For me, I think the potential is there for Evan Mobley, right? Because if you are the best defensive player on the floor at all times and then also able to improve your offensive game,
to your so you’re the one of the top three top four offensive players on the on the floor that helps and changes a lot but who I think and I don’t want to give it to Franz because I think it’s difficult for him in the role that he already has how impactful he is already and maybe shots can taken from him for different reasons different scenarios at this point I’m gonna put it to Scottie Barnes and who I think is most likely just because of the offense that they have
having RJ Barry and Emmanuel quickly taking eyes away from him now. I think they’re gonna be able to gel and I think they’re gonna be able to take this off season where they’ve been able to work together a little bit more after a big train last season. And Scottie is gonna be able to take his game to another level while also being able to play with a little bit more ease and a little bit more presence around him with the Toronto Raptors. And they could, could make a play-in seed run.
Chris (28:49.086)
I think it’s Franz. I think Orlando is definitely in the running for a top four seed in the Eastern Conference for sure. I would not be surprised if they got close to the 50 game win mark. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Franz was in the conversation for All-Star. The things that he did last year during the regular season and those that carried over into the postseason series against the Cavs really opened my eyes to the kind of player that he can be.
for Orlando, the kinds of responsibilities that he can shoulder as a young player. And then you also have to include this, Ethan, we have talked so many different times about how guys go on the international stage. Usually it’s with team USA players that we have these conversations with and we say, okay, they go play for team USA, either the select team or the senior team. They play at the world cup, they play at the Olympics and they use that as a springboard into a breakout.
You know, we’ve seen so many different examples of that throughout the past. Anthony Edwards, you can look at him. Kyrie Irving. Darius Garland, the year that he became an All-Star that traced back to his time, he believed, with Team USA. So for Franz, he played on the national stage. He played in some pressure packed environments, highly competitive stuff throughout the course of the summer that I think he’s going to be like more ready going in the regular season.
because he did play for team Germany and he did have a really, really important role for team Germany. And he did play high level of competition during the Olympics. And I think that level of experience combined with what he did in the playoffs, if there was any doubt to him, and there probably wasn’t because he’s a confident dude, he’s a very mouthy dude too, because he knows how good he is. But if there was any doubt that was, he learned that he belonged on the postseason stage and he learned.
that he belonged on the international stage and he saw himself being one of the best players in that series between the Cavs and the Magic. In a series that featured other All-Stars too, by the way. And then he goes on the international stage and he saw himself perform as one of the best players in the world. So I do think he’s going to use that kind of as a launchpad into what could be an All-Star type campaign. It doesn’t mean that I’m down on Evan.
Chris (31:13.044)
I believe that there is greatness inside Evan. I believe that he is a unicorn-like player. It’s just I don’t know that the production is going to be there. I don’t know that the opportunity is going to be there, and I think there are going to be some… Eeeesh moments early on when he’s going through the growing pains of trying to evolve into this kind of offensive player with this level of usage. So I do think I would not be surprised.
if Evan gets some consideration as the season goes on, if he deserves it, for an all-star level type player. But I think his greatest impact still, Ethan, is going to be on the defensive end of the floor. Whereas some of these other guys that we talked about, their greatest impact is going to be on the offensive end of the floor. And I think it’s easier to get caught up in that. I think it’s easier to get excited about that.
I think it’s easier to attach all-star resumes to that. Like, who’s the last guy that made the all-star game as a defense first player?
Chris (32:23.446)
I can’t really think of one. I can’t really think of one. It doesn’t mean that, you know, 16 and nine with three assists or something like that is anything to sneeze at. We’re talking about all star, right? We’re talking about taking another leap. And that requires to me a different level of productivity, a different level of consistency and a different level of night to night impact on the offensive end.
Ethan Sands (32:23.707)
That’s a great question. Yeah.
Chris (32:51.356)
in areas where Evan has fallen short early on in his career and I just need to see it first from him as this kind of what they vision him being as an offensive player Ethan I’m very much okay. Show me. Let me see it first
Ethan Sands (33:10.659)
Yeah, and I think that makes sense. And the only player we kind of didn’t give props to on this little four man list is Cade Cunningham. But I think it’s really hard to go from the best player on your team to I’m going to be even the better player on my or whatever. there is very little room for Cade to improve unless he wants to improve efficiency. Like, sure, do that. But like exactly.
Chris (33:37.386)
down the turnovers, efficiency, better three-point shooting, better decision-making, involving his teammates more consistently throughout the course of the game. I think those are the benchmarks for Cade to try and reach for sure.
Ethan Sands (33:51.843)
Right. But like, I don’t think it’s on the same tier as the other three and their impactfulness to winning for their teams. Obviously, all three of them, Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, and Franz Wagner, all have better supporting characters, players around them than K. Cunningham does at this current time. And I just think it’s going to be interesting to watch because all of these guys are hungry and competitors.
even if one or two may be mouther than the others. But with all that being said, that’ll wrap up today’s episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. But remember to become a Cavs Insider and interact with Chris, me, and Jimmy by subscribing to Subtext. Tomorrow’s the first preseason game. We’re going to be there and we’re going to give you some insight while we’re in the arena. So to get this information, sign up for a 14 day free trial.
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