What we learned about Cavs: First week of preseason

Jaylon Tyson, Ty Jerome, and others fight to be in Kenny Atkinson’s opening night rotations.

Cleveland Cavaliers preseason basketball has begun. It’s unwise to put too much stock in exhibition games but a few things stood out from this first week.

Evan Mobley played aggressively

Mobley’s offensive progression will determine the Cavs’ season. His teammates know this and have been repeatedly talking about it. The early returns are encouraging.

Mobley was assertive when he was on the court. Even though he took just two threes, he didn’t hesitate to bring the ball up the court or attack off-the-dribble. Now the question is whether or not they can build off of this and continue to expand what he showed in 19 preseason minutes.

Kenny Atkinson sees Craig Porter Jr. as a defense-first guard

Head coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t quite sure what Porter’s role is and how he fits in the rotation. But he does want to see him provide more on-ball defensive pressure.

“I’m on him about the defensive pressure,” Atkinson said. “You’re a backup point guard in the in the league. . . . We want to see him become more of a defensive presence for us. I think that’s his niche.”

Porter’s defensive counting stats were great last season. He had an impressive block rate (95th percentile), steal rate (69th percentile), and defensive rebound rate (95th percentile), but that didn’t translate over to being an impactful defender. The physical traits and instincts to get blocks, steals, and rebounds should allow that to change.

Porter’s strengths and limitations offensively are well documented. I’m not sure if his shot will come around. But that isn’t as much of a concern for him if he can become the defender he has the skills to be.

Isaac Okoro can fill a Bruce Brown role

Isaac Okoro had success as an on-ball screener on Thursday. This was by design. Atkinson is trying to get Okoro in positions to get downhill and use his playmaking and rim-finishing ability better.

“You guys remember Bruce Brown?” Atkinson said. “He was in that type of role where he could hit corner threes but you can also get him into that small, small pick and roll and do damage.”

This is an area Okoro has the skills to excel in given his showing on Thursday.

“It’s a role I’m comfortable in,” Okoro said. “I did it in high school and college. . . . Kenny wants me to do it and be more active on it. I’ve been learning more and more about it. By the time the season happens, I’ll be good.”

Ty Jerome continues to impress the Cavaliers

Koby Altman said Ty Jerome was the MVP of September. His teammates and the coaching staff have continually praised him since camp opened up.

“He has been killing it lately,” Georges Niang said. “He has been phenomenal since we’ve all gotten back here.”

That level of play didn’t show through in Jerome’s first preseason outing but he rallied back with a solid 15-point and eight-assist performance against Indiana. You were able to see how Jerome can stretch the floor as a scorer while also pushing the pace and getting the bigs involved as a facilitator. Those are all extremely useful skills for this team.

Figuring out how to get Jerome on the court remains a challenge if the Cavs are fully healthy. One of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland should be on the floor at all times. There is also the possibility of playing Jerome in lineups that include him and Darius Garland.

“Ty’s 6’5”, he’s not a small guy,” Atkinson said. “We can also play him at the two. I love having his IQ out there around the right lineups. He could be useful.”

Jaylon Tyson likely won’t be in the rotation on opening night

Tyson has shown that he can be a good secondary playmaker, rebounder, and cutter in his first two preseason games despite not being the focal point of the offense. This is extremely encouraging and something that his teammates have pointed out throughout camp.

“He’s a find-a-way guy,” Atkinson said. “Sometimes when you’re a role player you need to do one thing great. He’s kind of a jack of all trades.”

At the same time, the low three-point volume and inability to get to the line will likely keep him from cracking a rotation in the short term considering how many guys there are at his position. Tyson has only attempted three triples and four free throws in just over 40 preseason minutes. It’s tough to make it as a role-playing wing if you aren’t supplementing your scoring through threes or at the charity stripe.

“He’s a really interesting player for us,” Atkinson said. “He’s going to put pressure on our rotation guys. But, he could also be with the Charge, [considering how good this team is]. But he’s going to get a shot.”

It's possible to be bullish on Tyson long-term while acknowledging that there’s still room for him to grow before he can be a rotation player on a team that has aspirations of making a deep playoff run.