DesolateLands - A Cavs 2k20 Story

[cincy14fan]

After what most people call a terrible draft for the Cavs it was a given the Cavs are in total rebuild. The real rebuild would happen after the draft as Gilbert would become sick and with the write ups that the team has thrown in the towel before it started Dan Gilbert decided to again part ways with his GM and bring in a new one. Which is surprising since this one has zero experience as a GM and in the basketball world. While he goes down as one of the greatest two sport athlete of all time, most wonder if this is more of a publicity stunt than an actually upgrade. Time will tell as the new GM is Scott Sterling.

Highlights from Soccer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F9jXYOH2c0

Highlights from Volleyball: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY2nVQNlUB8




Game: NBA2k20
How many games will I play: All just will post about each week
Difficulty: Hall Of Fame
Sliders: Becoming 2k20
Draft Class: Will be custom classes for first two years undecided right now

[cincy14fan]

Sterling makes statement one week before the season starts

Trade 1



This looked to add some more depth to the frontcourt, but in a bit that wasn't what it was. This was purely to get a first round pick in a couple of years for basically a second round pick for next year.

Trade 2



This deal is to represent that youth is the movement for the Cavs this year unlike last year where it took a in front camera between the coaching staff and some players. With trading both older guards this shows that the rookie will be getting a lot of playing time this year.

Trade 3



What is Scott Sterling doing? Sure he gets r first round pick, which lets be realistic will be a late in the round, but now there is just two point guards on the team and one is a rookie.

Front Court Log jam



With now six centers, one of the two they traded for had to be released, and with Mahinmi would be the one to go. Still there might be other one released here too has now they have 5 centers and now need some help in the backcourt.

Cavs sign a SG?!



Well this is weird. Sure they technically only have one shooting guard on the team, but most thought it would be a point guard where Sexton would move to shooting guard. This proves that will not be the case.

[cincy14fan]

2019-2020 Cavs Team and Outlook

Cleveland Cavaliers Depth Chart - 2020
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	Collin Sexton (77)	Darius Garland (77)
SG	Kevin Porter Jr. (72)	Trevon Bluiett (68)
SF	Larry Nance Jr. (78)	Maurice Harkless (74)	Sindarius Thornwell (71)
PF	Kevin Love (83)	Jarell Martin (71)
C	Tristan Thompson (80)	John Henson (75)	Damian Jones (75)	Ante Zizic (73)

Point Guards

What to expect: After the draft and free agency the team had five point guards on their roster. Three veterans in Dellavedova, Knight, and Clarkson to help bring along second year player Sexton and rookie Garland. Sterling made his mark by coming in and cleaning house of all the veterans. Which projections were that Sexton might be moving to shooting guard, but now with only two rosters it will have Sexton starting with Garland backing him up. If people had trouble guarding Sexton last year and he continues where he left off and Garland is as advertise it might be a very hard year for opposing guards as there is no drop off with quickness between these two. Both are decent shooters from deep as well which should help the rest of the team.

Shooting Guards

What to expect: If any production here will be great. This is the biggest unknown as you have a rookie starting (Porter Jr.) and Bluiett who was drafted by Pelicans but was in the G league. At least they can shoot outside. Porter can run the floor while Bluiett is slower moving player. However he has the smarts to move around the court without speed so it might be good since he will be with the second team and it might not be that fast pace like the starters.

Small Forwards

What to expect: Sterling decided to send down Cedi Osman (75) and Dyland Windler (71) to the G League. They are deciding to go with Nance Jr. for the starting role since he does play defense and has the ability to keep up with small forwards yet still help out on defense in the paint. He might not be a scoring option for the starters, but that is fine with him as he is a pail and lunchbox type of guy. Which is what the Cavs need. The backups in Harkless and Thornwell are on expiring contracts so they will need to show if they should get resigned but all indications are they are just place fillers for the year.

Power Forwards

What to expect: Kevin Love is the star on this team but he is aging and not for the better as he hasn't been healthy in recent years. Good news is if he can stay healthy it could be a huge boost for the team and actually make this team into a contender. If he can't stay healthy look for the Cavs to have a top 5 pick in the draft again. Backup to Love is a very poor mans Love in Jarell Martin. He can shoot outside, but doesn't rebound, defend or well do anything else well. He will need to learn how to play defense for be a very efficient scorer on this team to actually be remember.

Centers

What to expect: Thompson moves back into the starting role but he needs to be more consistent. Henson needs a healthy year to show why he should command another big contract. If not, look for either Damian Jones or Zizic to put their stamp as the backup for this team and maybe even the starter moving forward. At least almost everyone can rebound very well (except for Jones) and most do have a nice shot from midrange.

Season Outlook:

Right now the Cavs before the trades were expected to be the top 3 worst teams in the league. Youth now is the forefront of this team. It might be very painful early on and if Love (staying healthy) and Sexton doesn't hit sophomore slump this team might surprise some teams. Even at best scenario this isn't a team to make the playoffs, unless other teams have a rash of injuries and other stuff. What most people think is that Love will be hampered with some injuries and the team will play as expected and finish terrible. Still with some new trades to get some later first round picks and still have Love with a decent contract for contending teams he could be traded to help free cap space for a big reset in free agency.

[cincy14fan]

Press Conference with S.S.

Reporter: How is the team morale now after making 3 trades, releasing one player and signing a player who hasn't seen one minute of NBA? Also I am sure the owner Gilbert is fine with these moves as well.

Scott Sterling: I am sure he (Gilbert) is fine with the moves. If not I doubt I would still be standing here if he wasn't. As for morale I think it is fine. Everyone was in their final year. and honestly they know it is a rebuild. Some might find themselves on a playoff team so as for the players who left I wish them the best, and as for the team we have they know what they are asked and I think see where our vision moving forward is.

Reporter: Do you think you jumped the gun by trading before even playing a game with these players. Right now people will say the team is worst off now than before the trades were made.

Scott Sterling: If you look at experience yes we are worst off. As for team chemistry might be a little worst off as well. Still we are looking at the long run and while there might be some bumps in the road the payoff will be huge for us. We are getting both rookies a lot of playing time this year, and have some youth. Also everyone else who is on their final year is going to be hungry to show they can make some big money in free agency for either our team or someone else.

Reporter: Talking about rookies. Why aren't you starting Garland over Sexton. Or better yet kept two of those guards for backups and have Garland and Sexton start together.

Scott Sterling: Well I think having them start together is the ideal goal. We saw how long it took Sexton to make it in the starting five and then how long it took for him to be comfortable in which he made second team for rookies. We didn't want to throw Garland in fire with having Sexton adjust his game for this season with a carbon copy of him on the court with him. Also this way it gives Garland to get use to it and its more of a 1a and 1b option for the team. If he comes along nicely maybe we will make another trade to bring in another guard so both can start but right now its better for our team if he comes off the bench.

Reporter: Moving off the guards what is the thinking behind having Nance Jr. start at small forward? Why not bring him off the bench for love to actually have a proven scorer coming off the bench?

Scott Sterling: Well, first lets talk why we don't like him off the bench. He that does he would be double a lot and would make other players step up the game and last year we saw how pressure on some of the younger guys or them asked for a bigger role they were uncomfortable with by doing stuff outside their comfort zone. Now, before you ask about comfort zone, Nance Jr. has the height, length, and speed to play the 3, 4 or 5 spot. As for starting its not going to be out of his comfort zone too much. He will just have to go up against sometimes quicker players and other times smaller players in which he can counter with his own strengths. He isn't going to be a focal point to lead our team but also can help out on defense download as a starter than putting extra burden on him to do it with the second squad.

Reporter: It looks as if you are going to a speedy quicker lineup is this the road map you guys are on with the changing of the league and such?

Scott Sterling: Yes and no. Remember this is just my first week and while there is more than just business we do have relationships with these players. I have been honest in what we are trying to do and how to get there. If I came before the draft I think it could of molded and ended up a little differently but we are feeling great with the team we have. As for our roadmap we don't really have a mold. But this is the qualities we are looking for:

PG: quick, driving to the basket and can shoot the outside
SG: can be a deep threat and can defend multiple positions
SF: duel threat on both sides of the court
PF: a secondary floor general and defender
C: rebound and defender

That is the ideal what we want as well as other teams. Can we get that and stay under the hard cap to build a championship team that is the question. I feel like our current team hits these marks and that is why we have the team we do moving into the season. Again anything can change and while I am not looking to make any other trades right now if another team comes calling with a great offer I won't refuse it, but again I am not looking to pursue any trades.

[RolePlayer]

Looking forward to following this

[cincy14fan]

Oct 21-27 Cavs fans wish season was over

*Game recaps if I could get them download to onedrive, will edit later*

Cleveland Cavalier fans have started a petition to end the season now and have sent it in to commissioner Silver. Also fans from the Heat and Hawks have signed the petition since all three are sitting on top of the Eastern Conference. Again it is just the first week so lets all just calm down but it is fun to debate how the season can unfold.

No reason to post standings since there is still 79-80 games left, but Heat (3-0) is leading the Eastern Conference followed by Cavs (2-0) and the Hawks (2-0). Bucks and 76ers are both 0-2 but their fans aren't worried at all. Other side Rockets Warriors and Spurs are undefeated with a 2-0 record. Still early but here are some thoughts on the current team and future for the Cavs:

Are the Cavs really better than fans say? Beating Pacers was great, but they shot worst than us and we just were able to hit more three-pointers to win the game. While we are 2-0 we will say no since we haven't gotten into the groove of the season.

Positives for the Cavs last week: Both games the Cavs have five players in double digits. Also both games they had two players with double-doubles and also Sexton had a triple-double the first game. Defense is showing up so far as they are only allowing 40% combined the first two games.

Things that are troublesome: Shooting. While shooting just 44% for the first game against the Pacers they were only 38%. Two stretches they were 0-9 and 1-13 in the game. Also need to stop forcing shots as the Cavs have been blocked 29 times in those two games. Foul trouble is a problem as well. Garland while getting a double-double the first game had 5 fouls in 21 minutes. Love somehow managed to play 30 minutes in the second game but was limited in his aggressiveness as he had 5 fouls within the first two minutes of the third quarter.

Can the Cavs reach the playoffs? Again two games in but the answer is no. They aren't going to hold everyone to just 40% or lower a game and sometimes the youth leads to sloppy and disjointed plays on the offensive end.

Is this Larry Nance Jr.'s year? Right now if Sexton can dominate opposing guards to his will on the drive and midrange game, and have Love able to hit shots then it will be a big year. Nance is becoming a scoring option as he has had a double-double in both games so far and most of the time is being left wide open on the wings. If he can continue to hit shots from three he might be a big piece for this team moving forward and might be a star in the making. He is 5/11 from deep and shows he is still a force on the boards.

Should the Cavs start both Garland and Sexton together? Their shots from the outside have been good and they are both dominate on screens and just running their opponents ragged with all their movement. Still it won't be likely anytime soon. Cavs don't have another point guard on the team and fouls seem to be an issue for both players. Also when one does get in foul trouble the other can continue to run with both squads. Again too early but Garland seems to be adjusting to NBA just fine. But again its a marathon and not a sprint which Sexton has reminded him of since he got here.

Upcoming week: Open up on the road against a 0-2 Bucks, get a rematch against the Pacers after playing home against the Bulls and end the week against a very solid Dallas club. Hopefully the wins to start the season can carry over into this week.

[IBMA]

Dang you took my team! Lol excited to follow along!

[cincy14fan]

Oct 28-Nov 3 Cavs finish Oct 4-2

Game 3 @ Bucks (lost 117-118)

*No picture (somehow some photos don't load to onedrive)*

Game 4 vs. Bulls (won 128-84)

*No picture*

Game 5



Game 6



*NOTE: Haven't been posting. Been tweaking the sliders after the Bulls game since it was a total blowout and I kind of found my groove on what to do and not to do on the sliders so been dealing with that and I was out of town for a couple of weeks. Will post more regularly now.*

Rookie of the Year? Garland is leading the rookies in scoring by .2 points (19.8 a night) over Culver, tied for tenth in rebounding (4.0), second in assists (6.5), fourth in steals (1.0). Again this is just six games in but looks promising especially since he is the sixth man on this team.

Will Garland move to the starting lineup this season? Fans would say yes. Sterling has said no before the year. While he is the leading scorer on the team, and coming off the bench, it doesn't look like it. Porter Jr. is starting to hit is stride with 14 a night. Also not sure how Garland and Sexton can run pick-and-rolls together. Both are downhill players so if they aren't attacking the rim it can be a problem. So for now the fans will have to see the sixth man pile up points against backup players for other teams.

Rebounding a problem for Love? He is getting doubled a lot as he is the star player on this team that allows Sexton to have some running room to the hole. Still on the defensive side he is only get 4.8 rebounds a night (6.5 rebounds total) and is fourth on the team in rebounding. Henson who is a bench player and averages ten less minutes is getting more rebounds than Love.

Consistency is lacking Half of Sexton shots so far have came within eight feet of the basketball. Half of those (he is 24-39) have been easy dunks off of steals or fast breaks. While he is decent on three's he is ice cold in the corners going 0-4 and inside the line is 5-12. Once he can start knocking down the shots with more ease will make people guard him closer on the outside which in turn will let him use his speed and size to get around players for easier shots toward the rim.

Can Sexton take home the title in his second year Again only two weeks in, but with his speed and using a lot of screens (on-ball and off) he gets a lot of space to drive. This means defense has to collopse and has lead to him to a league leading 13.5 assists a night. He had 21 against the Bucks (who decided to double him all game) which is a career high and holds the season record so far. Could easily be the leading scorer but when the doubles come he is actually looking to hit the open man. Only problem he needs to work on is not holding the ball too long looking for the open man since he is averaging 3.7 turnovers a game.

Double-Doubles galore! Sexon, Nance Jr., and Thompson all are averaging double-double a night which is giving our team some early wins and kept us into the game. Nice to see Thompson getting back to dominating the glass and getting easy points from offensive rebounds.

Unsung engine of the team We know what Garland is doing off the bench. Sexton is a beast at driving and running the team, but a key part to this team is Larry Nance Jr. who has having a career year. He has expanding his shooting to the three-point range and is amazing at small forward for us. Most defenders are letting him shoot from deep but he is shooting 56 percent from deep on 15/27 on the year (although last two games have been 9/11 from deep). Not only his he putting up career points with 14 a night (never in double digits for a season) he is grabbing 10.3 rebounds a night and is causing problems on the defensive end since he can guard not only his man but is a huge help coming down to help guard in the paint.