David Blatt said it best on Friday afternoon when he channeled Marvin Gaye at the podium at Media Day when he said: “Let’s get it on.”
The current Cavaliers are like Christmas presents that are all wrapped up and waiting under the tree. You know these new toys are gonna be good. Now you’re dying to open them up and get going.
Fans and media will finally get their first look at the new-look Cavaliers on the hardwood when they suit up for the annual Wine and Gold Scrimmage on Wednesday night at The Q. It won’t be a hotly-contested affair. But it will give everyone a chance to see a team that existed only in our imagination when last season ended.
On Monday, the Cavs conducted their fourth practice of Camp – following Sunday’s two-a-day session. Coach Blatt has challenged the guys from a mental standpoint. (After praising his veteran club for coming to Camp in excellent physical condition.)
“They’re coming along pretty quickly,” praised Blatt. “We’ve thrown a lot at them in the first three days. We’re probably going to slow down in terms of information that we’ve given them and now, try to get good at what we have and then add things later. Of course, defensively, we’re going to be adding things every day. But offensively, we’re going to slow down for a little while and lock in on what we have.”
Blatt praised his players’ basketball IQ and, whether he’s running his straight Princeton offense or not, knows that he has experienced and cerebral veterans to execute his system. Leading that pack will be the pack’s leader.
“(The offense) is very free-flowing,” observed LeBron James. “It’s going to be challenging for guys. I can see it: guys are starting to think through it a little too much. But I think when we get it, there are so many options, it’s live at every position, there’s a counter to everything the defense can do. The more and more we practice it, the more we get a feel for it. We’re able to read and react and not just think about the certain set that we’re in.”
Another adaptable vet who’s seen his share of offensive systems is 14-year vet Mike Miller, who seemed comfortable with Blatt’s plan in the early-going.
”Anytime you have Bron on the floor, the ball’s gonna move – it’s contagious,” said Miller. “Kyrie’s so good with the ball. Dion (and) Kevin Love (are) unbelievable passer(s). We have a lot of talented guys learning to play with each other. The true test is going to come from ourselves and when things go bad, when we hit a little adversity. But now everything’s good, it feels good and we’re getting through it.”
Cavs Christmas comes early – the first day of October at The Q. On Wednesday night, the city of Cleveland gets their first look the gift that keeps giving.