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Tag: untouchable

  • 1 Cavaliers role player Cleveland must make untouchable in trade talks


    With a star quartet leading the way, the Cleveland Cavaliers have more than enough star power to make a deep playoff run this year.

    Any successful star core, though, has also been surrounded by players who star in their role, going above and beyond to make the extra play and put them over the top. Cleveland has undoubtedly enjoyed a wealth of this, finding immense value of out their bench unit and depth players. Combo guard Ty Jerome burst onto the scene as an unexpected spark plug, putting the Cavaliers over their opponents numerous times.

    Sixth man Caris LeVert has entirely reinvented his offensive mindset, buying into coach Kenny Atkinson’s system and becoming one of the Cavs’ most efficient scorers alongside impressive playmaking and defensive energy. These kinds of role players are real difference makers on a contender, elevating the efforts of the star cast to the next level. Whether it’s making a baseline cut for a lob, draining a clutch corner three or simply staying connected to their defensive assignment, Cleveland’s role players are undeniably making this franchise a step better than before.

    As the trade deadline approaches, the Cavs’ may aim to consolidate depth for another high-end role player to build toward the playoffs. Brooklyn Nets wing Cameron Johnson has rejoined Cavaliers trade rumors after being connected over the summer, making Cleveland’s intentions clearly focused on building the best possible depth chart ahead of the 16-game season.

    If the Cavaliers do make a deal ahead of the February 6 buzzer, some hometown favorites may be on the move. No matter the look of the roster after the deadline, Cleveland needs to add one impact role player to their untouchable list alongside the stars.

    The Cavaliers cannot afford to lose their best big wing

    Cleveland has finally had a chance to see what a healthy, available Dean Wade looks like this season, and the results have been key in distinguishing the Cavs as the league’s best squad.

    In 33 games played, the former G League wing has averaged 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers made in 22.7 minutes per night. He has started in 24 games, both as a small forward and power forward. Wade is not a high-minutes or high-usage player, but his presence extends far beyond the box score. The 6’9″ forward has debatably been the best wing defender in Cleveland, competing with defensive stalwart Isaac Okoro after taking on the rival team’s top assignment multiple times this year.

    Wade’s on/off numbers show his value. Defensively, opponents have a -2.2 point differential, placing him in the top third across the league. Additionally, the Cavaliers are 30-3 in games in which Dean Wade plays. Over the course of Wade’s career as a full-time NBA player in September 2022, he has a 96-35 record.

    With an astounding 73.28 win percentage when on the court, the Cavaliers are clearly better with Wade healthy and on the court. While Wade is not the only factor playing into these wins, a two-and-a-half year sample size is more than enough to recognize his value.

    Since the same time period of September 2022, the Cavaliers are only 39-36 without Wade available for play. While still above .500, Cleveland is much less overwhelming of contender.

    The value the “Real D. Wade of Cleveland Basketball” is not the numbers he puts on the board. It is not only his shooting percentage from deep (although that helps). It is not just his height or strength. Wade gives the Cavaliers immeasurable value by bringing a constant positive impact with every second he is on the floor. The only critique fans have levied against Dean in years past is his injury-plagued history. When Wade plays heavy minutes or is overworked, he tends to be injury prone for lengthy periods of time.

    Losing such a long-time impact role player would be a detriment for the Cavaliers’ chances at success. Though his roughly $6 million salary could help match numbers in another deal, Cleveland cannot afford to move on from their only ahtletic 3-and-D big wing. Even if the Cavs dealt Wade for an upgraded version of himself, Cleveland would be better off trusting in cohesion and attempting to add a second wing next to Wade rather than replacing him.

    With Atkinson managing Wade’s usage and minutes to draw out the best in him every night, the Cleveland Cavaliers have finally found the balance for their best role player. Wade is the definitive X-Factor, and keeping him around and healthy for the playoffs will be paramount for the team’s success.



    1 Cavaliers role player Cleveland must make untouchable in trade talks

    As the Cleveland Cavaliers look to rebuild and improve their roster, there is one role player that they must make untouchable in trade talks: Cedi Osman.

    Osman, a 6’7″ forward from Turkey, has been a valuable contributor to the Cavaliers since being drafted in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Known for his versatility, scoring ability, and defensive prowess, Osman has become a fan favorite in Cleveland.

    Despite his young age and potential for growth, Osman has already shown that he can be a reliable and consistent player for the Cavaliers. He has improved his shooting and decision-making on the court, making him a valuable asset for the team.

    With the Cavaliers in need of stability and talent on their roster, it is crucial that they hold onto Osman and continue to develop him as a key piece of their future. Trading him away would be a mistake, as he has the potential to be a cornerstone player for the team moving forward.

    In conclusion, Cedi Osman is a player that the Cavaliers must make untouchable in trade talks. His skill set, work ethic, and potential make him a valuable asset for the team, and he should be a priority for the organization as they look to build for the future.

    Tags:

    1. Cleveland Cavaliers
    2. Role player
    3. Trade talks
    4. Untouchable player
    5. NBA
    6. Basketball
    7. Cleveland sports
    8. Team dynamics
    9. Player value
    10. Trade negotiations

    #Cavaliers #role #player #Cleveland #untouchable #trade #talks

  • Penn State powers into CFP semis to carry Big Ten flag, while SEC no longer looks untouchable

    Penn State powers into CFP semis to carry Big Ten flag, while SEC no longer looks untouchable


    GLENDALE, Ariz. — For about 15 years, the SEC ruled postseason college football, but so far in 2024 postseason games, the Big Ten has owned the SEC. So much so that Michigan managed to beat Alabama in two different bowl games in the same calendar year.

    The calendar year began with the soon-to-be-national champion Wolverines beating the Tide in the Rose Bowl. It ended with Penn State clobbering Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night to ensure its conference will claim half of next week’s CFP semifinal field. That’s because Wednesday’s Oregon-Ohio State Rose Bowl is an intra-conference affair — one made possible when the Buckeyes whooped SEC foe Tennessee in the first round.

    Earlier on New Year’s Eve, 16.5-point underdog Michigan upset No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl and nine-point underdog Illinois surprised 15th-ranked South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, moving the Big Ten to 4-1 vs. the SEC in this year’s CFP/bowl games.

    Not bad for a second-rate conference that, according to SEC Network analyst Peter Burns, plays a “PGA Championship course”-caliber schedule compared with the SEC’s U.S. Open-caliber schedules.

    A conference that took a lot of heat after Notre Dame trucked Indiana, a team Kirk Herbstreit said should have been left out of the Playoff in favor of “other teams that could have been there.” Two of which were presumably Alabama and South Carolina. (Congrats to both on their 9-4 seasons.)

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Vannini: Indiana, SMU deserve an apology after yet another Alabama loss

    The winning coach here Tuesday, Penn State’s James Franklin, spent three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13) prior to his 11-year run in State College.

    “I have tremendous respect for both conferences, and I think I have a perspective that most people don’t have,” he said at his postgame news conference. “I think the Big Ten has prepared our guys (for the Playoff).”

    After all, his team, which will soon be one of the last four standing, played 10 games this season against Big Ten competition, including a home victory over the 10-win Illini and an overtime road win at USC. The Trojans finished 7-6 after a Las Vegas Bowl win over their own SEC foe, Texas A&M.

    With so much SEC reverence, the Wolverines and Illini likely earned more respect for their second-tier bowl wins than Penn State will for winning a pair of Playoff games against ACC foe SMU and Mountain West foe Boise State. That would be unfair. Thanks to the super-sized Playoff field, Penn State has already played 15 games this season, losing only to top-five opponents Ohio State and Oregon. (As opposed to, say, a 6-7 Oklahoma team.)

    Boise State, which finished 12-2, had a great season led by a great player, Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. The Nittany Lions held Jeanty (30 carries, 104 yards) to his quietest game of the season. He crossed the 100-yard mark with two minutes left and the game out of reach, but Penn State held him to 3 yards or less on two-thirds of his 30 carries — including seven that went for loss.

    “He’s an impressive guy,” said Franklin, “but we’re pretty good on defense.”

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    ‘This is jubilation’: Penn State relishes Fiesta Bowl win as Playoff charge continues

    And Penn State has its own stud running backs, Kaytron Allen (17 carries, 134 yards) and Nick Singleton (12 carries, 87 yards, one TD), who ripped through the Broncos defense whenever Drew Allar (13-of-25, 171 yards, three TDs, no INTs) wasn’t busy throwing touchdowns to All-American tight end Tyler Warren (six catches, 63 yards, two TDs).

    Penn State advances to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl semifinal, where it will be a modest underdog to whichever of No. 2 seed Georgia or No. 7 seed Notre Dame emerges from Wednesday night’s Sugar Bowl.

    Many of us wrote off the Nittany Lions after their familiar-looking 20-13 home loss to Ohio State on Nov. 2, the program’s eighth straight defeat to the Buckeyes. But Penn State’s offense quietly kicked it up a notch starting with the following week’s 35-6 win over Washington, and it has stayed there ever since. Even in Penn State’s 45-37 loss to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten championship, its offense was explosive. As it was against Boise State, when Allen and Singleton both averaged more than 7 yards per carry.

    “Kaytron breaks tackles. He runs people over. He’s a physical, physical back,” said Franklin. “Nick, if you give him a crease, he has got a chance to go 80 at any minute.”

    Though both will be facing a significantly tougher defense whether it’s against Georgia or Notre Dame.

    If the Dawgs do beat the Irish in New Orleans, and if Texas beats Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, we’ll have ourselves an all-Big Ten/SEC final four. Which would be fitting given the way those leagues dominated the TV ratings and national media coverage all season. They’ve been dubbed the Power 2 for a reason.

    Even then, there’s long been a perceived drop-off from the SEC to the Big Ten — and oftentimes, it’s been indisputable. Not only has commissioner Greg Sankey’s conference won 13 of the past 17 national championships, it’s won 11 of its past 15 Citrus Bowls against the Big Ten and 11 of the leagues’ past 16 Outback/ReliaQuest matchups. There were several occasions in the late 2000s/early 2010s when former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany had to field questions about his league’s latest New Year’s Day debacle.

    But those were the days when the conference often felt like Ohio State and everyone else. That began to change with Michigan’s resurgence under Jim Harbaugh. And this year the league added a new national power in Oregon.

    Penn State, now 34-7 over the past three seasons, has to this point been largely hovering in the background, nationally relevant but not nationally prominent. It’s finally getting its moment on the big stage.

    The Nittany Lions’ own SEC challenge may be coming a little over a week from now against Georgia, and while Kirby Smart’s juggernaut has won a lot of games over the past four years, it’s hardly been untouchable this year.

    Much like the Dawgs’ conference.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Boise State earned its Playoff chance, but Fiesta Bowl loss shows flaws in system

     (Photo of Penn State coach James Franklin: Norm Hall / Getty Images)





    The Penn State Nittany Lions have punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals, carrying the Big Ten flag into battle against the top teams in the nation. After a dominant season, Penn State has proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with, showcasing their talent and determination on the gridiron.

    Meanwhile, the SEC, long regarded as the powerhouse conference in college football, no longer looks untouchable. With Penn State’s strong showing and other teams from different conferences making waves, the SEC’s dominance is being put to the test.

    As the CFP semifinals approach, all eyes will be on Penn State as they look to make a statement and prove that they belong among the elite teams in college football. The Big Ten is ready to show that they can compete with the best, and Penn State is leading the charge. Stay tuned for an exciting showdown in the semifinals!

    Tags:

    1. Penn State football
    2. College Football Playoff
    3. Big Ten Conference
    4. SEC football
    5. CFP semifinals
    6. NCAA football
    7. Penn State Nittany Lions
    8. Big Ten football
    9. SEC dominance
    10. College football playoffs.

    #Penn #State #powers #CFP #semis #carry #Big #Ten #flag #SEC #longer #untouchable

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