NBA: Cavs Add Kyle Korver to Title Defense

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Korver to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers just added Kyle Korver and the focus is now solidly on defending their title. To do that, this final piece of the puzzle had to be added. The need would be one to help open the floor up more for LeBron James and at the same time prove deadly. That is the hope for most teams when they make moves for a playoff run.

For the Cavs, the available body turned out to be Korver, who was dealt for Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams, cash considerations and a protected first-round pick in 2019. The move all but reserves the Eastern Conference spot in the Finals for the Cavs. Korver is a 14-year veteran and has played for Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago and Atlanta. He has averaged 10 points and three rebounds per game in his career but is better known for his three-point range. He is one of the deadliest shooters from long range and is eighth in NBA history with 1,952 career three-pointer and eighth all-time in three-point field goal percentage.

How it helps Cavs

It will be interesting to see how much impact this move has on the rest of the season. In Cleveland, he will be asked to move without the ball to find his spots. He has never played on a team with a Mega superstar like James or an all-around threat like Kyrie Irving. His presence on the floor will allow James to decide if he wants to shoot or pass out much easier than it has ever been for him. It will allow the Cavs the luxury of having a deadly shooter on the floor when James is on the bench. It allows Cleveland more space on the floor with a bunch of athletic players that can also shoot.

The addition of Korver will complement the three-point shooting of Channing Frye, Kevin Love and J.J. Reddick who can both fill the net from deep. This will allow Kevin Love and Tristian Thompson to concentrate more play in the blocks where they are stronger. Teams will have to plan accordingly if Reddick and Korver are on the floor at the same time as they can demand a double-team without the ball. This will widen the floor for other players rolling to the rim.

In the end

So hang on to your seat belts as they say cause this NBA season may end up being a snooze. If Korver can get himself assimilated and into the flow of this offense, it is going to basically be the Cavs on cruise control. There was little doubt that James and the Cavs would probably make another Finals appearance this year, but now, oh now it just got a whole lot easier to punch that ticket.