JB Bickerstaff: Cavs to Undergo ‘Change in Offensive System’

AKRON, Ohio — While the Cavaliers brought in Donovan Mitchell last season and were fairly staunch defensively, they seemed to be missing one thing.

And that, folks, was reliable 3-point shooting from more than just Mitchell and Darius Garland.

Now, though, they have newcomers Max Strus and Georges Niang, and all that could change. New guard Ty Jerome may help in the perimeter department, too.

So, what’s the plan, coach J.B. Bickerstaff?

“How can we make teams feel like they have to chase us more? During the regular season, we were an elite pick-and-roll team. So how do we add to that and make it more dynamic?” Bickerstaff said in an interview with Steve Aschburner of NBA.com.

“I think by adding a guy like Max, adding Georges, they can move and create movement and make shots off movement. Now people are chasing them, and you still have your opportunity to play your pick-and-roll with Darius and Donovan and (Evan Mobley) and (Jarrett Allen).”

Of course, all the talk surrounding this offseason has been whether the Cavs will be able to keep Mitchell, who becomes eligible for a contract extension. It’s not anything to worry about now, but by the end of the year, the Cavs will have a pretty good idea of whether he fully intends to stay.

Bickerstaff suggested a more “dynamic” offense could help in that department.

“You’ll see a change in our offensive system,” Bickerstaff said. “Two years ago, we were predicated on a ton of ball movement and body movement. We’re going to try to get back to that, where everybody is moving more, the ball is moving more. Then he gets an opportunity after the defense has shifted to go do what he does best.

“It’s going to be asking everybody to be a little more dynamic, to be a little harder to find. When you’re chasing an elite player like Donovan, he’s got the advantage automatically. Now he’s just got to make the play.”

The Cavs finished 51-31 last season, good enough for second in the Central Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Then they got bounced from the first round of the playoffs by the Knicks in five quick games.

They are expecting bigger and better things this year as they tip off training camp on Tuesday.

“It’s those lessons you learn,” Bickerstaff said. “You have to go through the playoff experiences and losses, then go through the summer after when guys see, like, ‘OK, that’s what coaches are talking about. These are the small things that are going to matter.'”