#Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor talk Cavs on the Mismatch podcast
Chris Vernon, who is a Memphis fan and was at the Cavs game on Wednesday night, talked with Kevin O’Connor on today’s podcast about the Cavs’ playoff chances, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and a few other topics. Overall they had alot of praise to give our guys.
Here’s the [Spotify link](https://open.spotify.com/episode/6J3u3QaTdValEMjQxCP0ow?si=UYe2EfITSUC0DeN64RTVEw) for those that want to listen. The Cavs talk starts around 25:35. Part of the conversation is transcribed below.
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##Transcript
**Vernon:** After seeing them last night (referring to the Cavs), it is not going to surprise me at all if the Cavaliers are in the Eastern Conference finals.
**O’Connor:** How about the NBA Finals?
**Vernon:** I think it’s a possibility, but again you’re probably taking your lumps before. But I do think this team… and they took some scars last year. But you know they were without Mitchell last night. And we’ve talked before, what do these teams look like when they’re missing main pieces… Watching Cleveland last night, and thinking, “man, and they can plug Donovan Mitchell into this”.
I don’t think people understand how awesome Garland is. Yea I know he got blocked twice at the end of the game. But that guy, getting to see him in person last night. There are very, very, very few guards I would take in the NBA for the next 5-10 years than that kid. That is a special talent, who gets overshadowed now by the Mitchell stuff.
Mitchell is averaging 30 a game. Mitchell has gotten his just deserts for good reason. He had the 71, all that stuff.
But this guy’s handles, his ability to see the court, and now, to get to see it in person and watch how he maneuvers. That offense, and the fact that he’s a deadeye shooter half the time. He is just unbelievable.
And those 2 bigs. They’re gonna figure it out.
**O’Connor:** Garland also doesn’t turn the ball over.
**Vernon:** No, he doesn’t.
**O’Connor:** And they’re going to figure it out. Where you’re gonna get to these playoffs. And he’s gonna have his night where he’s the one on center stage. Because that guy is… I mean just watching him I think he had 14 assists last night. Both those bigs, you’ve got Allen who is just an elite level roller to the basket, and a guy who’s just so long and athletic.
But Mobley, holy mother. When he throws some weight on him. There’s 2 things he’s got to do. He’s gonna fill out. And then once he fills out, he’s gotta get a little of that SOB in him.
I covered JB Bickerstaff who’s now their coach. I love JB. And JB even told one of my guys last night how freaky it is how much Mobley is like Jackson. Cuz he had Jaren Jackson his rookie year.
**O’Connor:** The defensive versatility and all that.
**Vernon:** Yea. And there’s even more offensively that he is able to do. But he’s not that, for a lack of a better term, that MF. He’s not the guy that’s gonna say “Throw me the ball. Give me the Ball”.
**O’Connor:** And he’s not in a position for that either because he’s got Mitchell and Garland on his team.
**Vernon:** That’s right. But there is nothing you can do when he gets to that left hook. I mean he can put his body into you and finish with that left. He is such a special talent.
**O’Connor:** Mobley just has to extend his range shooting the ball, and that’s going to open up everything off the dribble for him if that happens at some point in his career.
**Vernon:** And just dealing with him… that’s the third guy. Just the talent level and the fact they play so well together. If they get all those guys healthy for the playoffs, I would not want to see them.
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##I Agree, Go Cavs
They go on to talk talk a little bit more about the Cavs, but overall they both had very positive things to say about them. Always fun to hear from people around the league that are neutral and don’t get to watch the Cavs every game.
by NeonxGone
11 Comments
Warriors back ups are fucked
>”I don’t think people understand how awesome Garland is.”
Imagine telling people this was gonna be said by national media guys during Garland’s first year. ššš
Lol some times I feel like big media is higher on us than deserved.
Its weird but I feel like weāve simultaneously been underachieving and overachieving as a team
The Cavs have also lost the 2nd or 3rd most games to injury in the NBA so far this year.
I know this is stupid to say, but Dean Wade is incredibly underrated on this team and has been missed. He’s a huge chess piece, and it’s not coincidental that they play a lot better when he’s healthy. I think him coming back will be as important as any trade we make at the deadline. There are not a ton of athletic, 25 year old, 6’9 wing/pfs, who can shoot 41% from 3 and 45% from the floor, and who play solid defense, in the NBA, available. I know we joke about him, but he may be one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He has a lot of positive advanced numbers since being in the NBA, and his size and athleticism give the Cavs someone to match up with some of the longer wing players.
There is a lot of talent and depth on this team, and to think we played a very good Memphis team without Mitchell and Wade is pretty wild. If they get hot at the right time, they can def make the finals because the talent is there. No one wants to see these guys in the playoffs.
āGarland doesnāt turn the ball overā – Of all the things to say about Garland, I donāt really think this is what Id pick. Garland makes some pretty heinous turnovers, often in bunches in critical moments.
meanwhile notorious Cavs hater and Golden State superfan Jeff Van Gundy, who is from San Francisco btw, said heād be surprised if we made it out of the first round in Zach Loweās pod
serious hole in this roster still, but maybe they patch it a bit at the deadline
and these two are drunk…periodt. Keep drinking that good rum on the clock yall.
Garland definitely turns the ball over though but everything else spot on
They wonāt do it this year. I just think the whole team needs to grow up a little bit more and get more cohesive as a unit. One Garland is messing up, another night Mobley disappears, another night Mitchell takes half the team shots and only shoots 30%ā¦
JB even makes some questionable moves. I just think the core of this group is going to need another year or two before they become the top dog of the East.
I’m just scared that with so many analysts, podcasts saying how good we are, a good part of the fan base will be very disappointed with anything but a championship. The team is young and the core are nowhere near their prime yet (only Mitchell is close). Just making the playoffs should be a great win after missing last year due to injuries. Let’s take it step by step.