CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What does it look like when a rookie starts finding his way? A lot like Dylan Windler’s last two performances.
Windler isn’t the typical rookie. He was drafted with the 26th pick in 2019, part of an exciting three-pronged class expected to help lead the Cavaliers into the future. He’s already 24 years old, coming into the league following four years in college.
Even though Windler got a glimpse of the NBA -- learning some of the ins and outs, traveling with the team and sporadically participating in practices, shootarounds, film sessions and pregame workouts in between rehabbing a lower left leg injury -- he was never able to play a game. What was supposed to be his first season ended before it began thanks to a stress reaction that eventually required surgery.
With these injuries mostly behind him, including a fractured left hand suffered in his long-awaited NBA debut on Dec. 23, Windler is beginning to show why there was so much palpable buzz surrounding his attempted comebacks last season. He’s figuring it out, gradually emerging as a key piece of Cleveland’s maligned bench.
“With young guys in particular, there’s always that question of whether or not I belong. It takes time for guys in the NBA to figure out that they do,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We have a high level of belief in Dylan. I think it’s just a matter of getting on the floor and getting that experience because then you understand it, you see it, you can feel it and then you gain that confidence being able to play to your strengths and understanding who you are at this level and how you can contribute.”
On Tuesday, Windler set a career high with 15 points, hitting all five of his 3-point attempts. It was just his fourth career game scoring in double figures. The first time he made more than two triples. Given everything he had been through over the last year and a half -- hours of failed rehab, frustrating injury setbacks, mental fatigue, a rod in his left leg stabilized by screws that sometimes cause pain in his knee and ankle, early shooting struggles and fleeting doubts -- Windler needed a night like that.
About 24 hours later, in the 112-96 win against the Houston Rockets, Windler was polishing off another perfect game. He poured in 13 points on 4-of-4 from long range. That’s nine straight 3s without a miss, the longest streak by a Cavalier since Kyrie Irving in 2015.
“The game continues to slow down for me,” Windler said. “I don’t even know if I’ve hit the 20-game mark yet. Got to continue to remind myself sometimes. It feels like I’ve been here forever, but I really haven’t even played 20 games or whatever it is. My goal as a player is to just continue to build off every night, watch the film, see where I could have done things better and continue to see growth as a player.”
Windler added four rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.
An ambidextrous floor-spacing wing with the versatility to play multiple positions, Windler is the kind of offensive weapon the Cavs have been missing during Kevin Love’s lengthy absence. While Windler is a different player, with a different makeup and build, he brings some of the same traits. Shooting. Passing. Cutting. High basketball IQ. He has the skill set to raise Cleveland’s offensive ceiling, maybe help it climb from the league’s depths on that end of the floor.
“The shot-making puts a lot of pressure on defenses where guys just don’t want to go help,” Bickerstaff said. “This is what he does and who he is.”
With that added threat, the floor opens for center Jarrett Allen, who has garnered more attention with his beastly play since arriving from Brooklyn. Windler has also helped create driving lanes for Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. Bickerstaff also pointed to Windler’s quick decisions and ability to facilitate. Most of all, Bickerstaff has seen a mindset shift.
“No hesitation in his shot,” Bickerstaff said. “Obviously you see the first one go and then the confidence starts to build and then you continue to make and it’s easier to let ‘em fly. That’s who Dylan has to be, no matter what. He’s got to have a short-term memory and forget whatever happens on the last shot and be ready to shoot the next one because he brings a ton of value to us with his ability to knock down 3s.”
The Cavs have spent weeks rejiggering the offense in hopes of taking more 3s. They had reverted to an archaic style, settling for floaters and mid-range jumpers, trying to win games with an abundance of inefficient 2-pointers -- a style that led to an unacceptable 10 triple attempts in a February loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, setting the tone for a dismal month.
Ranked last in both makes and attempts from long range, there’s been a noticeable change in Cleveland’s offensive approach. Windler is part of that.
Over the last five games, the Cavs are averaging 32 attempts and 11.8 makes from beyond the arc -- both numbers that surpass their season marks. Now they need to sustain that -- or up those metrics even more.
“Nowadays, you gotta shoot 3s to win,” Windler said. “We had a couple games there where we barely even got double-digit 3s. And you can hit all the floaters and runners and points in the paint you want, but at some point, you got to stretch out the floor and knock down some 3s.”
Prior to Tuesday night, Windler was a 30.4% career shooter from deep in the NBA, leading to doubts about whether his stellar college numbers would translate. After going 9-of-9 against Atlanta and Houston, Windler has bumped that up to 41.8%, which would be the best on the team if not for Allen continuing to confidently drain bombs.
“When you’re a 40% shooter and shooting 30%, the law of averages is scary for another team,” Windler said. “Just a matter of time.”
Windler, who arrived in the NBA with a reputation as a sharpshooter, said there wasn’t one specific moment when things started to crystallize. Obviously, seeing the ball go in more frequently has boosted his confidence and opened up other areas of his game. Belief is where the turnaround starts.
Along with crediting teammates for their drive-and-kicks that have led to clean looks, Windler’s been playing more like his college days -- moving without the ball, cutting and flying off screens as opposed to simply spacing in the corner and waiting for a bail-out pass late in the shot clock. He’s also feeling more like himself physically after a injury-filled start to his NBA career.
“I’m continuing to treat my body well and I think when I’m feeling good out there, I got a little pep in my step,” Windler said. “I’m still continuing to rehab my leg, still battling with that each and every day, my knee and my calves, there’s a lot of soreness, so I’m just continuing to take care of my body as best as possible. When I have that extra step in me out on the court, I feel better shooting the ball.”
The past two games are what the Cavs envisioned when they took him late in the first round. It’s what they were expecting last season, believing he would displace Cedi Osman as the starting small forward because of his more reliable perimeter jumper and advanced game.
It took some time for Windler to shake off the rust and adapt. Consistency will be key. It’s always a tough step for neophytes. This can’t just be a temporary heater. But after being robbed off a full year of development, becoming the forgotten man within the team’s young core and then having another setback early this season, Windler is showing positive signs -- and providing hope that he’s just getting started.
“I still feel like he has quite a bit of ways to go -- in the best way possible,” Allen said. “He knows how to get to the rim, so the next step is finishing, and I feel like once he gets to that point, he’s going to be deadly on the inside and outside.”
-
New Cavs face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charity.
More Cavaliers coverage
Sexton taking All-Star snub in stride: ‘That’s why it’s here in Cleveland next season’
Cavaliers to open Second Half of season with three-game road trip
Brodric Thomas signed to two-way deal, Marques Bolden waived
Lamar Stevens capitalizing on increased opportunity, proving he belongs
10-game slide ends with Stevens’ winning dunk vs. Hawks
Sexton focused on ‘must-win game’ vs. Hawks, not All-Star announcement
Cavaliers’ recent collapse doesn’t mean rebuild is failing: Fedor
Are there answers to fix Cavs’ problems? ‘Nobody is coming to rescue us’
"filled" - Google News
February 25, 2021 at 02:09PM
https://ift.tt/3uvspl1
Dylan Windler starting to figure it out after slow, injury-filled start to NBA career - cleveland.com
"filled" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2ynNS75
https://ift.tt/3feNbO7
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Dylan Windler starting to figure it out after slow, injury-filled start to NBA career - cleveland.com"
Post a Comment