Cavaliers
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fairly pleased with how the Cavs looked in trying to become a team that picks up the pace this season.
“I thought we got done what we were trying to get done,” Bickerstaff said after the Cavs’ preseason opener vs. the Hawks, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “Offensively, we did a really good job of moving the ball, sharing the ball, creating a bunch of wide-open shots for guys who are capable of knocking them down. We struggled a little bit from the field and from 3 but those are shots we will take all night long. And it was the way we created them. I feel like it was a good start. Great for us to get it on film. Go home and break it down and get better.”
The Cavs are indeed home for their preseason game vs. the Magic on Thursday. Bickerstaff, newcomer Max Strus and the rest of the Cavs are aiming for more of the same.
“It was fun. There was a lot of good we can take from tonight,” Strus said, via Fedor. “I like how our offense played and the ball moved. We got great shots. Just didn’t make them. Shots will fall. Not worried about that at all. First game of the year. If we play like that every night, we will have a lot of fun nights.”
- In case you missed it, Isaac Okoro clearly likes the idea of a faster pace this season. We have his thoughts right here.
Wizards
Count guard/forward Corey Kispert among those who have been impressed with rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly.
“He’s having to drink out of a fire hose a little bit,” Kispert said, via Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. “We’re throwing a lot at him, and you can tell his mind’s moving really fast. But for how much information we’re giving him and how much we’re requiring of him so quickly, he’s done a great job.”
Meanwhile, Coulibaly suggested he has no issue being patient.
“I know I’m young. I’ll take the time that it will take,” Coulibaly said, via Wallace. “Last year, I was patient until I started to play with the pros and everything. So, yeah, it can be the same here. I’m just going to be patient and wait for my turn. I’ve always been like that, waiting my turn. Never in a rush. People here say it’s very French.”
- The Wizards waived guard Chase Audige, as we relayed here. There appears to be a good chance that he’s headed to the Capital City Go-Go of the G League next.
Pistons
Center Jalen Duren has won the starting role at the age of 19, and that’s not by accident, coach Monty Williams said.
“There’s a combination of things,” Williams told reporters, via Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. “The skill set. The fit with certain guys on the floor that could be in the starting lineup. Conversations with everybody here and, in particular, Troy. And then you just look at the numbers, the production.”
Duren indicated he is good with whatever Williams decides is best for the team overall.
“Whatever they need me to be, I’ll be,” he said. “I feel I can affect the game in many different ways. I play to win. Monty wants me anywhere, that’s where I’m going to be.”
- Williams also seems wildly impressed with guard Cade Cunningham. “Cade was unreal today; he guarded full court,” Williams said after a recent practice. “His defense changed a number of possessions, so I feel like we’re getting in the kind of shape we need to be in”
- The Pistons tied for third in a GM poll that asked which teams would be most improved this season (along with the Mavericks and Magic).
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