- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,401
- Reaction score
- 59
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers backup point guard Dennis Schroder deflected a pass by Brooklyn Nets guard Nolan Traore and dived headfirst onto the floor while attempting secure a loose ball with 8:23 left in the first half.
Earlier in the second quarter, Cavs reserve guard Keon Ellis dunked on Nets forward Danny Wolf and blocked a corner 3-pointer by Nets forward Ziaire Williams on the next possession.
Although Cleveland’s trade for 11-time All-Star James Harden has justifiably received the most attention from fans and media, the other deal the Cavs executed ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline to bring Schroder and Ellis aboard has yielded favorable early returns.
“I hated playing Dennis before, so having him on our side is awesome,” Cavs forward Dean Wade said Feb. 19 after Cleveland dominated Brooklyn at Rocket Arena. “The way he picks up, the energy he brings in the second unit is a boost. It really helps us take that next step, and then the defense that Keon brings us is unbelievable.”
Cavs news: Jaylon Tyson says his NFL prospect brother Jordyn wants to join Cleveland Browns
One night after thrashing the Nets 112-84, the Cavs (36-21) prevailed 118-113 on Feb. 20 at the Charlotte Hornets. A nationally televised game at the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (43-14) awaits on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The Cavs are 6-0 with Schroder and Ellis, both of whom were acquired when Cleveland traded wing De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings, and 5-0 with Harden, who was swapped for point guard Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick.
Hunter played just two games with the Kings before NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes first reported on Feb. 20 Hunter would undergo season-ending eye surgery. The surgery is the result of an injury Hunter suffered on Feb. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who traded Harden to the Cavs.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are enjoying the contributions Schroder and Ellis have made off the bench amid a seven-game winning streak.
“I don't know how many deflections those guys had [against the Nets] between them,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Keon, I'm not sure I've seen that in the league. He can get in a passing lane. He had three blocks, and I knew that was part of his statistical profile, but to see it live is impressive.
“Dennis, the energy — it's a nice contrast to our first unit, which is kind of bigger and we're a little more physical. Then we throw Dennis in there and ... Keon. It's almost like a different look with our speed and aggressiveness defensively. I'm really excited about that second unit because of those guys.”
A 13-year NBA veteran, Schroder is averaging 8.3 points on 36.2% shooting from the field (17.6% on 3-pointers), 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 19.9 minutes with the Cavs. He had 12 points against the Nets and eight against the Hornets.
In Ellis’ fourth NBA season, he is averaging 5.2 points on 46.2% shooting from the field (31.6% on 3s), 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, one block and 21 minutes since joining the Cavs. He had seven points against the Nets and four against the Hornets.
Both players have been reinvigorated by transitioning from the tanking Kings (12-45) to a Cavs team aiming for a run to the NBA Finals.
“The chemistry, you can tell, is on a high notch,” Schroder, 32, said. “And we just want to keep it going.
“To be on this side now, where you play every single game to win, that excites me every single day.”
Cleveland has quickly embraced the tenacious duo of former Kings players.
“It's a sports town,” Ellis, 26, said. “Actually, [former Cavs player] Matthew Dellavedova, he was my teammate when I was in Sacramento. He texted me when I got traded. He was like, ‘Yeah, you'll love it. Definitely a sports city.’”
Passionate fans tend to rally around relentlessness, a trait the Cavs have lacked too often in recent playoff trips.
“Dennis, he just picks up the ball [on defense],” Cavs forward Evan Mobley said. “[As a] small guard, I think can turn people and make offenses start later in the shot clock. And Keon, I mean, he's just everywhere. [Against the Nets] he got a corner-3 block. You don't see that much. His offense, he dunked on like two people. He got a block and then saved it on top of the guy. He just does a lot of little things that you don't really see.”
Schroder said he learned six to seven years ago he can affect the game by adopting “the dog mentality” on defense. Others have noticed.
“Picking up full court, just he's everywhere on defense,” Wade said. “He's talking. He's just messing with the ball if it goes in the net. Just simple things like he's flying around on defense. He steals everything.”
Again, Wade hated encountering Schroder as an opponent. From competitor to competitor, there is no better compliment.
“It's nice having him on our side,” Wade said.
Cavs news: Cavaliers small forward Max Strus expected to return during 2025-26 regular season
The Cavs are scheduled to visit the Thunder at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. The game will be televised by ABC.
On Feb. 20, the Cavs announced they signed guard Darius Brownto a two-way contract and waived forward Emanuel Miller, who had been on a two-way contract.
Brown has appeared in 34 games (30 starts) this season with the NBA G League's Cleveland Charge, averaging 12.4 points, 9.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 33.5 minutes.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers impressed with Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis since trade
Continue reading...
Earlier in the second quarter, Cavs reserve guard Keon Ellis dunked on Nets forward Danny Wolf and blocked a corner 3-pointer by Nets forward Ziaire Williams on the next possession.
Although Cleveland’s trade for 11-time All-Star James Harden has justifiably received the most attention from fans and media, the other deal the Cavs executed ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline to bring Schroder and Ellis aboard has yielded favorable early returns.
“I hated playing Dennis before, so having him on our side is awesome,” Cavs forward Dean Wade said Feb. 19 after Cleveland dominated Brooklyn at Rocket Arena. “The way he picks up, the energy he brings in the second unit is a boost. It really helps us take that next step, and then the defense that Keon brings us is unbelievable.”
Cavs news: Jaylon Tyson says his NFL prospect brother Jordyn wants to join Cleveland Browns
Former Cavs wing De'Andre Hunter to undergo eye surgery
One night after thrashing the Nets 112-84, the Cavs (36-21) prevailed 118-113 on Feb. 20 at the Charlotte Hornets. A nationally televised game at the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (43-14) awaits on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The Cavs are 6-0 with Schroder and Ellis, both of whom were acquired when Cleveland traded wing De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings, and 5-0 with Harden, who was swapped for point guard Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick.
Hunter played just two games with the Kings before NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes first reported on Feb. 20 Hunter would undergo season-ending eye surgery. The surgery is the result of an injury Hunter suffered on Feb. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who traded Harden to the Cavs.
You must be registered for see images attach
Meanwhile, the Cavs are enjoying the contributions Schroder and Ellis have made off the bench amid a seven-game winning streak.
“I don't know how many deflections those guys had [against the Nets] between them,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Keon, I'm not sure I've seen that in the league. He can get in a passing lane. He had three blocks, and I knew that was part of his statistical profile, but to see it live is impressive.
“Dennis, the energy — it's a nice contrast to our first unit, which is kind of bigger and we're a little more physical. Then we throw Dennis in there and ... Keon. It's almost like a different look with our speed and aggressiveness defensively. I'm really excited about that second unit because of those guys.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis stats with Cavs
A 13-year NBA veteran, Schroder is averaging 8.3 points on 36.2% shooting from the field (17.6% on 3-pointers), 2.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 19.9 minutes with the Cavs. He had 12 points against the Nets and eight against the Hornets.
In Ellis’ fourth NBA season, he is averaging 5.2 points on 46.2% shooting from the field (31.6% on 3s), 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, one block and 21 minutes since joining the Cavs. He had seven points against the Nets and four against the Hornets.
Both players have been reinvigorated by transitioning from the tanking Kings (12-45) to a Cavs team aiming for a run to the NBA Finals.
“The chemistry, you can tell, is on a high notch,” Schroder, 32, said. “And we just want to keep it going.
“To be on this side now, where you play every single game to win, that excites me every single day.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Cleveland has quickly embraced the tenacious duo of former Kings players.
“It's a sports town,” Ellis, 26, said. “Actually, [former Cavs player] Matthew Dellavedova, he was my teammate when I was in Sacramento. He texted me when I got traded. He was like, ‘Yeah, you'll love it. Definitely a sports city.’”
Passionate fans tend to rally around relentlessness, a trait the Cavs have lacked too often in recent playoff trips.
“Dennis, he just picks up the ball [on defense],” Cavs forward Evan Mobley said. “[As a] small guard, I think can turn people and make offenses start later in the shot clock. And Keon, I mean, he's just everywhere. [Against the Nets] he got a corner-3 block. You don't see that much. His offense, he dunked on like two people. He got a block and then saved it on top of the guy. He just does a lot of little things that you don't really see.”
You must be registered for see images
Schroder said he learned six to seven years ago he can affect the game by adopting “the dog mentality” on defense. Others have noticed.
“Picking up full court, just he's everywhere on defense,” Wade said. “He's talking. He's just messing with the ball if it goes in the net. Just simple things like he's flying around on defense. He steals everything.”
Again, Wade hated encountering Schroder as an opponent. From competitor to competitor, there is no better compliment.
“It's nice having him on our side,” Wade said.
Cavs news: Cavaliers small forward Max Strus expected to return during 2025-26 regular season
You must be registered for see images
What channel is Cavs vs Thunder on?
The Cavs are scheduled to visit the Thunder at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. The game will be televised by ABC.
Cavs sign Darius Brown to two-way contract
On Feb. 20, the Cavs announced they signed guard Darius Brownto a two-way contract and waived forward Emanuel Miller, who had been on a two-way contract.
Brown has appeared in 34 games (30 starts) this season with the NBA G League's Cleveland Charge, averaging 12.4 points, 9.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 33.5 minutes.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers impressed with Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis since trade
Continue reading...
