The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Cavs look for defensive help from McCaw
A team drowning with the worst record in the NBA will cling to anything or anyone for a life preserver.
The Cavaliers don’t realistically believe Patrick McCaw can save their season — not that they really want it saved with a high lottery pick the quickest way to being relevant again — but they are hopeful the former Golden State Warrior can at least add defense to a team that sorely needs help in that area.
For those too busy with holiday events last week to have noticed, the Cavaliers signed McCaw to a two-year, $6 million offer sheet on Dec. 28. Since he was a restricted free agent, Golden State had a right to match the offer and retain him as a Warrior. The Warriors declined.
It was a smart, no-risk move by the Cavaliers because they knew matching the offer would cost the Warriors more than $6 million extra in luxury-tax penalties.
The game against the Miami Heat on Jan. 2 at Quicken Loans Arena was McCaw’s first in the regular season since suffering a back injury while with the Warriors in a game with the Sacramento Kings on March 31, 2018. McCaw did play briefly in all four NBA Finals games against the Cavaliers last year.
McCaw had only one full practice with the Cavaliers, and it showed in the demoralizing 117-92 loss to the Heat. The Cavaliers have lost seven straight and nine of 10.
McCaw seemed lost, understandably, especially on offense. He played 18 minutes and took only two shots, making one. He had one assist and one steal. He registered a minus-8 in a game the Cavaliers lost by 25 points.
McCaw, 23, could have stayed with the Warriors on his own, but declined a two-year $5.2 million deal with them over the summer. He averaged 4.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 16.8 minutes last season.
So why did McCaw sign with the Cavaliers? It was more than for an extra $800,000. It’s like that picture of a dogsled race. When you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes. McCaw has a chance for more playing time with the Cavaliers than with the Warriors. The Cavs are 8-30 after getting burned by the Heat. The defending NBA champion Warriors are 25-13.
“I just felt like it was time for me to move on as a basketball player and a young man,” McCaw said before playing the Heat. “Nothing against the Warriors organization. I loved it there.
“I grew so much as a basketball player and learned so much in such a short time. I can only than the Warriors for that, but I’m glad for this new opportunity. I’m excited to be a part of this in the rebuilding stage.”
Coach Larry Drew is hopeful McCaw can help the Cavaliers defensively. Defense is not a strength of guard Collin Sexton or forward Cedi Osman. McCaw was not talking about his new teammates, but the 6-foot-7 guard said defense is all about work before the game and attitude.
“It’s just locking in and staying focused on the defensive end, just moving your feet and trying not to reach (and foul),” McCaw said. “You have to know the tendencies of the guys you’re going against. That’s from watching film and getting ready. That’s all my focus is – making sure my man doesn’t score.”
The loss to the Heat was a perfect example of why the Cavaliers must get better defensively. The Heat made 13 of 18 shots (6 of 8 on 3s) in the second quarter when they outscored the Cavaliers, 36-20. The Cavs never got back into the game.