The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a bit of a size conundrum, despite having towering figures like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchoring their lineup. The issue arises when you glance at the rest of the roster, particularly the guards and wings. With recent acquisitions like Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, the Cavs have found themselves undersized in key positions.
Keon Ellis, standing at 6-foot-4, might have decent size for a guard, but he's been slotted into the small forward spot frequently, making him undersized in those matchups. This was glaringly evident in their recent clash with the Boston Celtics, a team known for their positional size, which highlighted Cleveland's vulnerabilities, especially without Allen on the floor.
The Celtics game was a clear illustration of this mismatch. In the second quarter, the Cavs struggled, losing the period 21-10, and it was a lineup issue. Mobley’s 6-foot-11 frame helps, but the Cavs' wings and guards lack the height to compete effectively, leading to a 49-42 rebounding deficit against Boston.
A key moment that encapsulated Cleveland's struggles was when Celtics wing Baylor Scheierman, at 6-foot-7, outmaneuvered multiple Cavs players for a rebound, showcasing both his length and hustle. This sequence culminated in an open three-pointer for Boston, emphasizing the Cavs' rebounding and defensive challenges.
The Celtics have a knack for teaching their wings to crash the boards effectively, with players like Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, and Jordan Walsh excelling in offensive rebounding roles. Their size and skill create a significant advantage, one that Cleveland found hard to counter.
Defensively, the Cavs' size issues extend beyond rebounding. Keon Ellis, tasked with guarding the likes of Jaylen Brown, found himself overpowered in one-on-one situations. Brown's ability to absorb contact and leverage his strength against Ellis was a concerning sign for Cleveland, especially in potential playoff scenarios.
The Cavaliers aren't just facing this issue against Boston. Eastern Conference rivals like Detroit and New York also pose similar challenges with their big, athletic wings. Players like Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges can all exploit Cleveland's lack of size on the perimeter.
This is where Dean Wade becomes crucial for the Cavs. At 6-foot-9, Wade is their largest wing and brings a blend of shooting, defensive IQ, and lateral quickness. He's versatile enough to guard multiple positions, providing a much-needed counter to the size mismatches.
However, outside of Wade, Cleveland's wings are relatively small. Tyson, at 6-foot-6, isn't necessarily a liability, but against elite wings like Jayson Tatum, he might struggle to contest shots effectively.
Ultimately, while the Cavs have two formidable rim protectors in Mobley and Allen, their wing and guard size is a significant hurdle. Overcoming this won't be easy, especially in a league where matchups can dictate outcomes. But with strategic adjustments, Cleveland can find ways to mitigate these challenges and compete at a high level.