The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season with nearly the same roster they had last season.
Needless to say, fans and analysts weren’t exactly thrilled about that.
It’s not unusual to see teams stick with their same core of players, especially after making the playoffs, but they usually look to make some adjustments and add more bodies in free agency to fix some of their flaws.
Notably, it seems like the Cavaliers found a significant reinforcement from within.
As NBA analyst Sam Amico pointed out, Ty Jerome’s surge has been a pivotal addition to Kenny Atkinson’s team.
Talking on Full Court Cleveland, Amico pointed out how he’s filled in the role Ricky Rubio used to have, becoming the veteran backup point guard they so clearly needed:
“Alot of people thought the Cavs needed a veteran backup PG. The fact that he’s played through the first 14 games at this level has been a little bit of a surprise,” he said.
Ty Jerome has filled the Ricky Rubio void the #Cavs needed. #LetEmKnow
"Alot of people thought the Cavs needed a veteran backup PG. The fact that he's played through the first 14 games at this level has been a little bit of a surprise."
– @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/Ol0cNqR3dP
— Full Court Cleveland (@FullCourtCLE) November 17, 2024
Jerome has been one of the most surprising players in the league in the season’s early stages.
He was a non-factor in his first campaign with the organization, missing most of the season with an injury.
His efficient scoring and mistake-free playmaking have kept this team afloat during big stretches and even helped them get back into games.
So far, he’s averaging almost 10 points and 3 assists per game, shooting the ball at a 59/53/82 clip.
His presence on the court has also allowed Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to get a breather and stay fresh, and they’ve also been very efficient together.
Of course, Jerome won’t make many headlines or be an All-Star, but he’s been one of the most valuable players for this team.
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