The Cleveland Cavaliers have had an eventful first quarter of the season. Through injury, broken records, surprise rookie standouts and nail biting finishes Cleveland fans have had a lot to pay attention to. Many, though, may not be following Cleveland’s G-League affiliate the Cleveland Charge, who may roster some future Cavs. Here’s a a check in with the Cleveland Charge after about a month of basketball.
The Charge need a Charge
The Charge are currently 5-7, placing them at 21st in the G-League (of 31 total teams). In the middle of a four game losing streak, they find themselves at the bottom of a lot of league statistics. Sitting at 28th in points per game, 30th in rebounds per game and 31st in assists per game, the Charge aren’t exactly having the best start to the season. Although, they are eighth in opponent points per game, so defensively they’re much more sound. There are some positives when it comes to the Cavaliers, however, and that’s the potential call-up of any Charge players that are looking promising. So how are the Charge players looking?
Standout players
Emoni Bates and Isaiah Mobley are the two clear standouts on this Charge team. Bates is averaging 25.5 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He’s also leading the team in three point percentage at 44.3 percent. Aside from leading the team in points per game, he’s currently sitting at second in points per game in the entire G-League. Only Cam Whitmore of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers is averaging more (26.9) and considering it’s only a 1.4 point difference, Bates could easily top that list soon. On the defensive end he’s also making full use of his length, averaging 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. He’s currently leading the team in points, steals and blocks.
Mobley is averaging 21.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals per game. A solid improvement over last year, in which he had four double-doubles all season. He currently has five. Mobley does have a turnover issue, averaging 3.7 per game, which is something that will need to be ironed out. He leads the team in rebounds and is tied for highest average of turnovers.
Sharife Cooper is another player who’s having a solid season. Currently averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game (with 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks), Cooper is an all around productive player. Although, like Mobley, Cooper averages 3.7 turnovers. If there’s one thing the 2023-24 Cleveland Cavaliers do not need to add to their tool belt, it’s more turnovers.
Pete Nance (10.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists) and Zhaire Smith (11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists) are also having some of the better Charge numbers. With the former averaging 0.8 steals and 1.4 blocks and the latter averaging 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks, their production is spread across the board. They’re also both averaging just under 3 personal fouls per game, showing (when paired with their steal and block numbers) their willingness to play physical defense.
Leading Charge averages
Points per game: Emoni Bates (25.5)
Assists per game: Sharife Cooper (6.5)
Rebounds per game: Isaiah Mobley (10.9)
Blocks per game: Pete Nance and Emoni Bates (1.4)
Steals per game: Emoni Bates (1.8)
Turnovers per game: Isaiah Mobley and Sharife Cooper (3.7)
Minutes per game: Emoni Bates (35.4)
Looking ahead
The Charge haven’t had the best season so far, but it’s only the start. Turnovers seem to be a problem for both Cleveland basketball teams, with the Charge turning the ball over on 15 percent of their possessions. Due to this, and their lack of players who can consistently score and rebound (only Mobley is averaging double-digit rebounds) the Charge find themselves at the bottom of the standings. They seek to end their current four game losing streak this Thursday night (December 13, 2023) when they face off against the Iowa Wolves in Wells Fargo Arena at 8:00 PM.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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