Pace of Play Watch: 2022/2023

[Randolphkeys]

Very interested in tracking the pace of play this season. Last year, the Cavaliers ended the season fifth slowest in the NBA at pace ranking:

Fastest Pace NBA Teams 2021-2022 | StatMuse

The Dallas Mavericks had the slowest pace by a team in 2021-22, with a 95.37 pace.

www.statmuse.com

As you can see, slowest does not necessarily equate to bad teams. Slower than the Cavs in 2021/22 were the Mavericks, Knicks, Heat and Raptors. I don't believe Thibs knows how to coach a fast-paced team. The other teams prioritize defense and getting high usage out of one or two players. Some teams are just built to operate in the half-court.

The Cavaliers suffered a ton of guard injuries and carried better bigs than the opponent, so I see the tactical advantage of Tower City and a slower pace... But are the Cavs still that same team?

I'd like to see a back court which features two high-octane guards pick up the pace to create more possessions by the end of the game. Utah finished ninth - I'm assuming for similar reasons the Cavs slowed the pace. An offense that needs the primary ball handler playing around 35-37 minutes a game can't maintain a fast pace.

Our Big Four need scoring chances. Even Love and LeVert gotta get a few looks to be effective. Picking up the pace of play feels like the key to the season, and a goal more depth can help actualize.

Feel free to throw your opinions on pace of play here. I'll be watching all season for how pace and wins correlate.

 

[foucault87]

Garland likes to slow the pace a bit in half court ala CP3 or Luka. I think he had shown to be good at pushing the pace when needed.

With him and Love throwing the ball we have good fast break initiation. Okoro and I guess Cedi like to run. Mitchell does too as I recall. We could play a higher pace this year. Will be very interesting to see what happens.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Garland likes to slow the pace a bit in half court ala CP3 or Luka. I think he had shown to be good at pushing the pace when needed.

With him and Love throwing the ball we have good fast break initiation. Okoro and I guess Cedi like to run. Mitchell does too as I recall. We could play a higher pace this year. Will be very interesting to see what happens.

Past certainly dictates the future. Bickerstaff slowed the pace with the Grizzlies when he coaches there, preferring to set up for half-court offense and offensive rebounding. I don't think I'm exaggerating to say Sexton tended to dribble up slowly after a turnover and not a "push" player.

Garland and Rubio together seemed to push at times, but even with more breathers at the start of the 2021/22 season, the Cavs preferred to walk it up.

The current small forward options are more transition players, aside from Dean Wade... so I'm watching to see if Bickerstaff can change his philosophy when the personnel dictate a faster pace.

 

[foucault87]

Past certainly dictates the future. Bickerstaff slowed the pace with the Grizzlies when he coaches there, preferring to set up for half-court offense and offensive rebounding. I don't think I'm exaggerating to say Sexton tended to dribble up slowly after a turnover and not a "push" player.

Garland and Rubio together seemed to push at times, but even with more breathers at the start of the 2021/22 season, the Cavs preferred to walk it up.

The current small forward options are more transition players, aside from Dean Wade... so I'm watching to see if Bickerstaff can change his philosophy when the personnel dictate a faster pace.

Yeah, coaching is a big question on this. Obviously its to the advantage of defensive teams to slow the pace - opponent can't score as much with a low pace. But there have been fast good defensive teams too, GSW, Hou, even us for 20 games in 2020

I think of JBB as a more defensively minded coach but hopefully Walton can shake it up a bit

 

[cavsfever]

Very interested in tracking the pace of play this season. Last year, the Cavaliers ended the season fifth slowest in the NBA at pace ranking:

Fastest Pace NBA Teams 2021-2022 | StatMuse

The Dallas Mavericks had the slowest pace by a team in 2021-22, with a 95.37 pace.

www.statmuse.com

As you can see, slowest does not necessarily equate to bad teams. Slower than the Cavs in 2021/22 were the Mavericks, Knicks, Heat and Raptors. I don't believe Thibs knows how to coach a fast-paced team. The other teams prioritize defense and getting high usage out of one or two players. Some teams are just built to operate in the half-court.

The Cavaliers suffered a ton of guard injuries and carried better bigs than the opponent, so I see the tactical advantage of Tower City and a slower pace... But are the Cavs still that same team?

I'd like to see a back court which features two high-octane guards pick up the pace to create more possessions by the end of the game. Utah finished ninth - I'm assuming for similar reasons the Cavs slowed the pace. An offense that needs the primary ball handler playing around 35-37 minutes a game can't maintain a fast pace.

Our Big Four need scoring chances. Even Love and LeVert gotta get a few looks to be effective. Picking up the pace of play feels like the key to the season, and a goal more depth can help actualize.

Feel free to throw your opinions on pace of play here. I'll be watching all season for how pace and wins correlate.

We were just very confused about how to score once Rubio was gone and teams started figuring out the Garland-Allen p&r. Every time down the court we had to stop, scratch our heads, and figure it out all over again

 

[guitarguy]

I don't have any data on this, but feel like slower paced playing seems to give advantage to better defensive teams. Not sure we' want to get in a gun slinging contest, probably better to control the pace and try to prevent teams from getting hot. Or in other words, I don't really have a problem with slower pace, as long as O is looking good.

 

[RonG]

I think the pace will remain about the same, and we will finish in the bottom 10 in terms of pace. They have some youth and athletes but I think they will only push on misses and the occasional made bucket, same as last year. Its one of those coaching philosophy's you can pretty much bank on. JB is who he is, i am not expecting much change from him period. Maybe Luke gets real influence on the Cavs offense, time will tell on that.

 

[RonG]

Very interested in tracking the pace of play this season. Last year, the Cavaliers ended the season fifth slowest in the NBA at pace ranking:

Fastest Pace NBA Teams 2021-2022 | StatMuse

The Dallas Mavericks had the slowest pace by a team in 2021-22, with a 95.37 pace.

www.statmuse.com

If you sort by total points on that link you provided you will see fast pace doesn't necessarily equate to more points or wins. I am not even sure the point of pushing pace to be honest. I get its a stat to track, but from what I am looking at, there is no consistent improvement in any other offensive category by pushing the pace. Maybe I am missing something, or over looked something.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I don't have any data on this, but feel like slower paced playing seems to give advantage to better defensive teams. Not sure we' want to get in a gun slinging contest, probably better to control the pace and try to prevent teams from getting hot. Or in other words, I don't really have a problem with slower pace, as long as O is looking good.

Hmm... Cavs roster is changed.

I don't see why we wouldn't want to play fast? Both of our bigs are mobile and can get back on defense quicker than most front courts and our back court should both want to attack in the open court and let loose...and well both Allen and Mobley are elite finishers.

I wish we had a sharpshooter at the 3 to make it even deadlier...

But anyways, we have the perfect personnel to play a fast pace. Garland can shoot on the move better than most, is an elite passer and Mitchell is also an elite shooter off the dribble and as a catch and shoot.

From the bench, Rubio loves to push the pace and both Cedi and Love thrive in the open court; they can just bomb it and Cedi can attack the lane.

 

[Randolphkeys]

If you sort by total points on that link you provided you will see fast pace doesn't necessarily equate to more points or wins. I am not even sure the point of pushing pace to be honest. I get its a stat to track, but from what I am looking at, there is no consistent improvement in any other offensive category by pushing the pace. Maybe I am missing something, or over looked something.

I started the thread after listening to The Chasedown Pod. Tony Jones is the long-time beat writer for the Jazz. He suggested that the Cavs are now more of an offensive team than defensive team, so the coach needs to generate more possessions somehow. A team that features high scoring guards usually pushes in transition for this reason.

 

[RonG]

I started the thread after listening to The Chasedown Pod. Tony Jones is the long-time beat writer for the Jazz. He suggested that the Cavs are now more of an offensive team than defensive team, so the coach needs to generate more possessions somehow. A team that features high scoring guards usually pushes in transition for this reason.

I think its to early to assume defense will drop off but that's just me. I do agree we became a better offensive team with this trade. I am not sure this trade made us better significantly in transition offense though, if i had to guess I would say we may get marginally better. I just have heard the Cavs talk about speeding up the pace for the last 5 to 6 years and never translates.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I just have heard the Cavs talk about speeding up the pace for the last 5 to 6 years and never translates.

I heard the same. This is an important topic, in my opinion.

It's just easier for the players on the floor to catch their breath by walking the ball up after exerting themselves on the defensive end. But is it the best for the team? I'd rather see a deeper rotation and our guards playing less minutes than watching Garland pass on a fast break opportunity.

 

[RonG]

I heard the same. This is an important topic, in my opinion.

It's just easier for the players on the floor to catch their breath by walking the ball up after exerting themselves on the defensive end. But is it the best for the team? I'd rather see a deeper rotation and our guards playing less minutes than watching Garland pass on a fast break opportunity.

you had me at deeper rotation!

 

[CleveRocks]

I think pace will pick up, but the half court will be a better indicator of playoff success. EVENTUALY, you have to beat Milwaukee or similar, and that won't be a fast break series..

 

[cavsfever]

We may not deliberately push the pace in transition and I’m not sure we should. But I think our pace will increase just by having a much better half court offense. Mitchell is one of the best guys in the league at hitting guarded three pointers off the dribble so we will have that option along with all the ways he breaks down the defense. I was sort of joking above but it really was painful to watch us try to figure out how to score in the half court last year when Garland wasn’t on or had been neutralized by the defense. It took a looong time on each trip