10 Game Player Review
Welcome to the 2014-2015 edition of the 10 Game Player Review. Each of the 14 players in the franchise gets evaluated on their performances so far.
An interesting note about this edition is that Byron Scott has played a 12 man rotation for all 10 games this season, so each player in the roster has played at least 3 games.
Kyrie Irving
10 games (10 starts)
14.4ppg 4.1rpg 8.3apg 2.8spg
It hasn't been the greatest campaign for Kyrie so far. Even though he's played all ten games so far, he's been limited by a hamstring injury. He hasn't moved with the same freedom we're used to seeing from him, but he's still managed to be a great distributor for the Cavs. Kyrie's a class player, so he'll find a way to get his numbers back up to where there were. It's just a matter of time.
Dion Waiters
10 games (10 starts)
13.1ppg 3rpg 3apg 2spg
Like Kyrie, it's been a rather lukewarm start to the season for Dion Waiters. However, if you look at the start of last season, this is quite a consistent trend for Dion. It's not something you like to see from a key member of the franchise, but if he manages to rectify the problem by season's end, all will be forgiven.
Chuck Shaw
8 games (8 starts)
8.4ppg 2.6rpg 1.9apg
Another rather non-descript start to the season for Chuck Shaw. There's no doubting the kid's athleticism or his ability to play scrappy. One major problem in his game is that he still doesn't have a reliable jumpshot. He can hit the odd open one from the corner, but a three point percentage of just over 30 doesn't make him much of a threat. He has the slashing game down, so once he adds this, he'll be worthy of the number three pick he was chosen with.
Tristan Thompson
6 games (6 starts)
7ppg 7.7rpg 1.2bpg
At times it's easy to underestimate the value of Tristan, because his numbers don't jump out at you. However, it became more evident through the last three games he missed. Tristan isn't just the team's leading rebounder, he's also a pretty good inside presence on both ends. Kirilenko has done an adequate job in his place, but when AK47 is on the bench, the Cavaliers have to rely on either Charlie Villanueva or Mouphtaou Yarou. For this reason, the Cavs dearly want Tristan back.
Tyler Zeller
10 games (10 starts)
12ppg 5.9rpg 1.4bpg .701 FG
So far it's been a breakout season for Tyler Zeller. He has produced some big performances when other more noted players have struggled. His rise to prominance has seen him become an early candidate for the Most Improved Player trophy. If he continues to perform the way he has, it'd be hard to argue against him.
J.J. Redick
10 games
15.3ppg 2.2rpg .445 FG .346 3PT .923 FT
It's hard to believe, but J.J. Redick is currently the Cavaliers' top scorer. Much like the start of last season, his efficiency is probably not where he'd want it to be. He's definitely a gifted shooter with unlimited range, but he often settles for the three when other options could be on the table. With that said though, he's still a handy offensive contributor off the bench and the Cavaliers are hoping he'll exercise his player option next season.
Andrei Kirilenko
10 games (4 starts)
11ppg 5.2rpg .517 FG .824 FT
Kirilenko has been a good buy so far. He's probably the most versatile guy in the line up. He's played both forwards very competently and even plays a little centre when the Cavs look to go small. He's the type of guy who does everything pretty well, and that's the kind of player that every coach in the league wants on his bench.
Alonzo Gee
10 games
2ppg 1.5rpg .692 FG
It's the same story again for Alonzo Gee. He's definitely not a bad player, but he's stuck behind a guy who the Cavaliers are persisting with. When Gee does get time on the court, there are no plays run for him, because of guys like Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and J.J. Redick. He runs the fastbreak really well and that's how he's gotten most of his points this season. His uncertain role within the team has made unhappy within the franchise, and if he gets his way, he might be moved before the deadline.
Steven Adams
10 games
4.2ppg 3.8rpg 1.2bpg .679 FG
The numbers suggest that Adams hasn't been brilliant, but he's been a solid backup for Tyler Zeller. His offense is still very raw, but the Cavaliers knew he was a project player when they traded for him in the draft. With his current role in the system, he's a more than adequate option.
Thabo Sefolosha
10 games (2 starts)
5.6ppg 2rpg 0.6spg
Another guy whose numbers don't reflect his impact on the court. During the six game winning streak, Thabo played a great role defensively. He contested and altered shots, as well as picking up the odd steal. He's also got enough size to play at small forward, which has been the position Byron Scott has played him the most. Thabo's true value however will be measured if the Cavs make the playoffs. He will be called on to guard the most dangerous perimeter players in the Eastern Conference, so he could be a potential X-Factor for the Cavs.
Charlie Villanueva
10 games
3.4ppg 1.4rpg .351 FG .269 3PT
Before this season, I loved CV's offensive game and hated, well, everything else. This season, his offensive game has been well below par, so there hasn't been much to like about him. In game ten, he was the Cavs' highest scorer, but the issue is his consistency to do that on a regular basis. And the worst thing is, he continues to be unhappy with his role. He's gone to the media already stating he'll be declining his player option and testing free agency. It's not a great attitude for a guy who is one of the league's underachievers.
Mike Bibby
10 games
1ppg 1.3apg 0.7spg .455 FG
With Kyrie's decision to play through his injury, Bibby hasn't been called upon as much this season. When he has, it's clear that he's a guy at the backend of his career. His surprisingly high steals per game average hasn't carried over to this season. In fact, he's a liability on the defensive end, as he gets beaten constantly by the newer, faster and more athletic point guards of the game.
It's been recently confirmed that this season will be Bibby's last.
Mouphtaou Yarou
3 games
3ppg 2 rpg .333 FG .200 FT
Drafting in the late second round is always a hit-or-miss affair. There are some diamonds, and others are rocks. After playing just three games, it'd be unfair to classify the man with the name I always have to look up. But I will say this; he's very raw. He's also undersized as well. This wouldn't be such a bad thing if Byron Scott didn't insist on giving him minutes at centre as well. At this point, a D-League stint would probably help to develop his game more, because at the moment, he's simply not NBA ready.
Adam Morrison
3 games
11.7ppg 2.7apg .424 FG
All stache related jokes and memes aside, Adam Morrison has actually been surprisingly decent for the Cavs in his three games. 11.7 points per game is only .1 off his best season, which happened to be his rookie year. And while a field goal percentage of 42.4 isn't the most efficient by any means, it's the first time in his entire career that he's been over 40 percent. So there are signs that he has improved since his stint in Europe.
