De’Andre Hunter, Kenny Atkinson’s ‘joint’ move as a sixth man can work

Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter looked as confident as he did at the start of the season on Monday night, scoring 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field and literally bleeding his nose in his best game in a while. It’s just the third time this year he’s come off the bench, a decision Hunter shared between himself and the Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson came together last week.

“It’s big that he has the respect to come up to me and ask me how I feel about it,” Hunter told ClutchPoints in the media huddle after Cleveland beat the Charlotte Hornets 139-132. “I think it’s huge, and it’s kind of a mutual agreement. We both felt the same way. Here we are.”

Before Monday’s performance, Hunter had been fighting since Thanksgiving. In his previous 10 games, he shot 36.5% on nearly 10 attempts per contest, with a paltry 25.0% three-point percentage. His rebounding was down, his handle was off, and his individual defense wasn’t up to par.

Before the Cavs played the Chicago Bulls on the road last Wednesday, Atkinson moved Hunter to the bench to create a spark for him and the missing group.

“I think there were good signs putting him in that second unit,” Atkinson said after Friday’s loss at home to the Bulls. “Obviously, there’s still some bumps and it’s not perfect, but I know I talked to him after the game and he felt more comfortable. I think he’s a better fit. I’m not saying this is until the end of the season. Let’s see when the guys start coming back, and we’ll get everything back, if we keep it. But for now, I think it’s a good move for him. A good move for the team. A good move. A good move.

“I always look, if a guy is struggling, as good a player as he (is), I’m kind of putting a lot on myself. I’ve got to figure out a better way to help him because he’s too good a player to be at this level. He’s probably a C-level. He should be an A-level. I put most of it on my shoulders. But let’s see how it goes just two games. things to help him, but I put a lot on myself.

Hunter explained why he and Atkinson concluded they were playing with a different unit it’s better for him.

“I mean, I’m just losing scores,” Hunter said. “It didn’t look too great. It didn’t work too well. The numbers said it didn’t work too great. So, just try to look for a different outcome.”

With the bench, Hunter is poised to get more touches and more usage than with the starters. He can be the star of that top five and provide a boost, as he did last year as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate with the Cavs and Atlanta Hawks. His production against Charlotte is just a taste of what that opportunity can bring.

Atkinson thought the toughness he showed to stay in the game after being elbowed in the nose by Moussa Diabate was admirable. While it was a great offensive night for Hunter, it was even better on the other side of the ball.

“He’s a tough guy, physically,” Atkinson said. “He’s the only guy who can stand up to these guys who bully and shoulder you.”

“He wants to hit,” Darius Garland added. “He wants to be physical with the guys. He had his whole nose knocked out, he came back and had a great second half, so that’s just one example of what he does.”

It’s an example of the gritty nature that’s needed when the postseason rolls around. Hunter feels like he could be that guy to play with that attitude.

“I’m trying,” Hunter said. “Sometimes it gets tough with officiating and things like that. You get a few early fouls, you can’t play as physical. But if I’m not in foul trouble or anything like that, I definitely try – whatever match I have – to be physical and try to be that physical force for the team.”

“I think it’s necessary. I think it’s more of a mindset thing. A lot of guys are strong and things like that, but it just takes a real effort to be physical and make those extra plays and things like that. I’m not going to say I’m great at it every night. It’s something I have to improve on. So this is a start.”

Hunter told ClutchPoints he didn’t feel any different coming into Monday’s matchup with the Hornets. That may be true, but it was Hunter’s most since Nov. 8 and his first 20-point night in more than a month. It’s definitely a sight for sore eyes.

“I just trust my work,” Hunter said. “I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career, so a drop in shooting won’t stop me from shooting.”

“He’s just playing without thinking, man, just going out there and just being the shopper that he is, that’s really nice to see,” Garland added. “I mean, he’s a big spark for us whenever he’s going like that on both sides of the ball. So it’s really good to see him with some confidence and playing really well.”