The Cleveland Cavaliers may have been dealing with a plethora of injuries to some key players, but they remain one of the top-six teams in the Eastern Conference this season.
While the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are stuffing the stat sheet, playing a crucial role in the Cavaliers’ acceptable form.
One player who hasn’t gotten a lot of opportunities from the team is none other than the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Emoni Bates.
Despite being a second-round pick, Bates was one of the most talked-about players in the class of 2023.
Many expected Bates to be frustrated with the lack of opportunities this season, but the Cavs rookie shared a positive message about his future in the NBA, and fans had a plethora of reactions to it on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/batesemoni/status/1741312328983871837
YESSIR EMONI
— Across The Cavs (@AcrossCavs) December 31, 2023
God answers prayers 🙏🏿 in due time the league boutta recognize
— Clrèt (@itselstanyong) December 31, 2023
Your one of one for this cavs team and when they see that they’ll give you minutes over guys like George niang. Keep hooping bro
— FIZZ (@FIZZl16) December 31, 2023
Take off season 🚀🚀🚀
— Screech Dinero (@ScreechDinero) December 31, 2023
Bates has played 10 games in the 2023-24 NBA season and has averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game for the Cavaliers this season.
However, Bates has balled out for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ G-League team, the Cleveland Charge.
He is averaging a solid 24.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game for the Charge in 10 games so far in the season.
A key reason behind Bates’ inability to replicate his numbers in the NBA is the huge difference in the minutes awarded by the teams.
While Bates is playing just 7.6 minutes per game for the Cavaliers, he is getting 33.9 minutes per game from the Charge.
Bates may reach great heights in the NBA, but it will undoubtedly take him a couple of years to reach that level.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Has High Praise For 1 Cavs Rookie
