The first annual “Austin Carr Living Memorial Mid-Season Awards” (Part 2)
Following up a rough weekend for the Cavs with some more of the season's best dunks, assists, and yes, butt slaps
The Cavs, it seems, have come back to Earth.
The Wine & Gold, now 37-19, needed some clutch shot making from Darius Garland to beat the lowly Wizards 114-105 on Sunday evening. Garland had 10 of his 17 points in the fourth. Caris LeVert broke out of a slump with 18 points, 12 boards, and 8 dimes, and Jarrett Allen punished the Wizards to the tune of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Still, Cleveland didn’t start the game with the urgency you’d hope of a team that had lost two in a row.
That’s right. Since last Wednesday, Cleveland was bullied by the Magic 116-109, and missed 10 free throws against the undermanned 76ers in a 104-97 loss. Both of those games were without MVP-candidate Mitchell, who, like a college kid home for Thanksgiving, is still recovering from an illness that cost him six pounds over the All-Star break.
The Cavs will need Mitchell at closer to full strength tonight against Luka Doncic- and Kyrie Irving-led Dallas. Look for lots of old Kyrie jerseys in the crowd, and for more than a few Slovenian flags. Cleveland has one of the largest Slovenian populations in the world, and Luka always manages to show off for his fellow country men and women. Or at least it seems that way. The reality is, Doncic, who’s averaging 34 points, just south of nine rebounds, and just north of nine assists a night, puts on a show for just about every opposing fanbase.
But the Cavs have some show-worthy players of their own, as evidenced by the second group of Austin Carr Living Memorial Mid-Season Award winners.
Check them out below.
The “Swiper No Swiping” Award
Max Strus is many things. Smooth is not normally one of them. But this pocket pick into behind-the-back dribble is like butter. Good thing Cade Cunningham grew up watching Cyberchase instead of Dora.
Honorable Mention: Evan Mobley
The Channing Frye “Locker Room Guy” Award
Look at this butt smack from Georges Niang. He takes his time with the windup, and is casual, almost avuncular, with the follow through. Dean Wade knows he did good.
Honorable Mention: High Five Train
The Bob Barker “God I hate that guy” Award
Playing against Max Strus would be so annoying. This play against the Kings embodies why. Not only does he get away with the forearm shimmy against Kevin Heurter and capitalize on his sneak steal, he also gets back on defense just way too hard. We should all be glad he’s a Cavalier.
The “Price is Right”
The “Price is Right” Award, inspired by Cavs legend Mark Price and by the Bob Barker award, is among the most notable of the “Austin Carr Living Memorial Mid-Season Awards.” It goes to the best assist of the year so far.
While Donovan Mitchell’s wraparound kick out against Milwaukee seemed the surefire winner, Max Strus earned his first ever “Price is Right” with this dunk-contest-inspired helper against the Wizards. Let’s pretend it was on purpose.
Honorable mention: Spida
The Fred Mcleod “Screensaver” Award
Many of us remember the late Fred Mclead’s legendary call, “He made Jusuf Nurkic a screensaver!” We don’t have Fred with us any more to memorialize this dunk, but it nonetheless deserves recognition as the hammer of the season so far.
The Lupe Fiasco “If You Are What You Say You Are” Award
Donovan Mitchell is truly an elite player in the NBA, and deserves to be recognized as such. Whenever fans take him and his incredible consistency and leadership for granted, even a smidge, he has plays like this to remind us that he is what he says he is, a superstar.
In Other News
After giving Pete Nance a 2-Way contract last week, the Cavs yesterday signed point guard Sharife Cooper to a 10-day contract. I wouldn’t expect Cooper to play at all. With Garland, Mitchell, LeVert, and Porter Jr. all ahead of him in the ball handler depth chart, the minutes just aren’t there. So why sign the deal?
I have no inside knowledge here, but the Cavs have made a habit of rewarding Charge players for consistent play. The pay bump of an extra contract—’bump’ is putting the upper five figure paycheck so darn lightly—is a great incentive, to be sure. But the open doors between the Cavaliers and the Charge, with three players already having earned 10-day deals this year, signal to talent on the Charge and around the G-League and the NCAA that Cleveland is a place where you really can get your shot.
It’s good for moral with the G-League unit, and it makes the Cavaliers the kind of organization of which up-and-comers want to be a part.
But you know what else bolsters a team’s reputation? Winning.
Here’s hoping the Wine & Gold can get back to their winning ways tonight at 7pm ET against Dallas and tomorrow against Chicago.
Cheers, and go Cavs.