How Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr. make life ‘easier’ for cleveland

ByNBAUSA



The Cleveland Cavaliers terrorized opponents when Craig Porter Jr. was on the floor in the first month of the season, but when it is marked with Lonzo Ballthat pressure is growing. In their 100 minutes of combined floor time, the Cavs have turned over 19.4% of their opponents’ possessions, a figure that ranks in the 98th percentile among two-man lineups, according to Cleaning the Glass.

“He’s just a super smart player,” Porter said after Monday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “He just comes up with ways to just disrupt people and do different things all over the court. Sometimes you look at it and you’re kind of confused at first, but it works over and over again. It’s interesting and it’s definitely helped me understand different parts of the game.”

While Porter is the catalyst with his constant pressure all over the court, Ball’s technique on the ball is precise and bothers the coaches. Each one affects the game in their own ways, and both come in with boards better than any guard on the team.

“He’s just finding his niche, man,” Ball said on Nov. 3. “He’s super athletic for his size. That’s how he gets those rebounds. He’s a perfect fit, especially when he comes over. And offensive rebounds, he got at least one a game, I think, he’s great on defense. And then we know how great he is. huge for this team.”

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to Porter’s pressure at the rim Monday, which stood out a team that struggled to reach the cup. On Monday, his 3-pointer to extend Cleveland’s lead was a big moment, but none was bigger than the poster for a fast-break layup over Bucks guard Ryan Rollins.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen last year,” Atkinson said. “I’m so happy for the kid because he really made a lot of sacrifices this offseason, and it’s great to see it pay off. … He’s got so much pop out there. He’s committed to his body and he’s gotten into — not great shape, great shape — elite shape. He’s in elite shape right now.”

Add Donovan Mitchell to the Porter-Ball duo, and the results were even more astounding. Usually paired with Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen, the three guards boast a plus-31.9 net rating in 94 possessions with a 63.9% effective field goal percentage and a 21.5% turnover rate.

“I think having Zo around will only help CP, of course,” Mitchell said. “Just watching what he does, being out there with him, he’s going to put CP in great spots. Defensively, CP is learning how to be in the gaps more, using his athleticism, right? You see Zoe, who’s really talented at that. You learn just by watching, from being there. Little techniques, different techniques.

“And that’s what you want from a guy like Zoe. That’s what we need, for him to come in here and say, ‘Hey, this is what I see, this is what I can do,’ and lead by example.”

Porter notes that the lineups he and Ball have played with have made them want to be even more aggressive and that they all complement each other.

Mitchell agrees, saying he and the Cavs’ lives have been made easier for both of them there.

“You don’t have to train,” Mitchell said. “You can kind of let Zo go out there and kind of lead. I think he’s taken over on both ends of the floor. I think Dean has always been that security blanket for us defensively, rebounding, cutting, different things. We can switch. We can be in coverage if we need to.

“There’s a level of aggression, and you don’t have to think as much. Guys have your back. Guys think about the game the right way. And then, you see what happens on the break. Zo pushes it, lets us run, make plays and make the game easier for everybody.”

Clearly, the Cavs are best served by the point guard running the show in Garland’s absence. Fortunately for them, they have two each in Porter and Ball that they can send out at the same time to provide a spark on each end of the floor.





2025-11-19 19:18:00

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