Wade will come off Cavs’ bench
Move will allow guard to be primary scoring option.
There’s an INDEPENDENCE — old sports axiom: The best moves are ones that benefit everyone involved.
Such is the case with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ decision to move future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade to the bench, a conclusion coach Tyronn Lue revealed Monday after three games. The switch went into effect for Tuesday night’s game against the Bulls.
Of course, this kind of swap — putting marksman J.R. Smith back with the starters — doesn’t happen without Wade’s leadership. Seeing the myriad spacing issues and complications trying to fit four ball-dominant players in one lineup combined with his own lack of comfort, Wade thought it best to chat with Lue on Sunday afternoon.
It was a team-first decision, another sign of sacrifice from a star who left money on the table to come to Cleveland in the first place. But the lineup change should also help Wade, who seemed frustrated following Saturday night’s blowout loss against Orlando.
With Smith, a catch-andshoot specialist and the team’s best perimeter defensive player, the Cavs’ defective starting group should get repaired.
Through two games (Derrick Rose missed Saturday’s loss with an ankle injury), the original starting five has been one of Cleveland’s least-productive groups.
Early growing pains were expected. Kevin Love is getting used to playing center. LeBron James is trying to navigate a much more crowded floor because of a sketchy-shooting backcourt. Jae Crowder, a tough and physical defender, is over one spot to power forward. Wade is trying to cope with being the third or fourth offensive option. Rose is trying to be effective away from the ball, especially during times when the offense runs through James or Love.
Some of those issues will require more patience. But it became clear time wasn’t going to fix everything.
Opponents have scored 69 points in 27 total minutes against Cleveland’s original starting five, shooting 28-of47 (59 percent) from the field and 7-of-16 (43 percent) from 3-point range. Only eight of those made baskets have been unassisted.
While the new starters (when Rose returns) have played just seven minutes together this season, the skill sets blend better.
This move should also benefit Wade.
“I’m trying to find it, man,” he said following another poor game against Orlando on Saturday. “It’s very different, different than I’ve ever played.
“I’ve always been a one or two option. It’s just a different game. You gotta kinda figure out your way.”
Wade’s head has been swimming, calling the first few games of the regular season a “long, long week.”
It’s such a small sample size and pushing the panic button on the off-season signing isn’t wise. But in his first three games with the Cavaliers, Wade is averaging 5.7 points on 28 percent shooting and 33 percent from beyond the arc in 23.7 minutes.
Anchoring the Bench Mob, a role Lue originally envisioned before ultimately starting Wade because of his resume, should be more agreeable.
It’s new. It’s different. Wade’s one of the best shooting guards of all-time. He’s only come off the bench 11 times in his 14-year career. He’s not a prototypical point guard. But being with the second group puts the ball in his hands. It will allow him to once again be the primary scoring option rather than a wallflower.
He can even get some postups and run pick-and-roll with Tristan Thompson — two areas where Wade excels.
“I think he can still get the ball up in a timely fashion,” Lue said. “He can handle the basketball, he can make plays, great passer and then going against second unit guys it’s going to be tough for those guys also. I like it. We’ll see and go from there.”
Wade’s new role will also have a ripple effect on Rose, who had been leading the start-of-the-second-quarter group.
“We have to start all over again,” Lue said. “But it’s OK. It’s early in the season and this is what it’s all about, trying to figure it out and understanding who plays best with who and what lineups work. Another step in another direction. I like it and can’t say enough about D-Wade and how he came to me and approached me saying he wanted to be with the second unit.”