Rakeem begins to live the dream

[Fireball Jr.]

Rakeem looked more comfortable, more NBA-ready in his second summer league Saturday night against the Nets, had 4 blocks, 8 points (2-4 from the field, including a nice little jumper that's on this video), 4 rebounds, 6 fouls, two turnovers and an assist in 21 minutes. He's gonna look good in a Cavs and Charge uni. He is in such a good place, other than being picked in the first round, I couldn't think of a better situation for Rakeem.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/teams/cavaliers/2015/07/12/150711postgamemov-3642262

Arinze, on the other hand, not so much; he's deep on the Brooklyn bench, got in for five minutes against the Cavs and came up with goose eggs, except for a rebound and 2 fouls. I realize Arinze's this close to the dream, but I think the time is right for him to take his talents abroad and cash in a bit by getting a gig in a sweet Euroleague city. The clock is ticking.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Rakeem looked more comfortable, more NBA-ready in his second summer league Saturday night against the Nets, had 4 blocks, 8 points (2-4 from the field, including a nice little jumper that's on this video), 4 rebounds, 6 fouls, two turnovers and an assist in 21 minutes. He's gonna look good in a Cavs and Charge uni. He is in such a good place, other than being picked in the first round, I couldn't think of a better situation for Rakeem.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/teams/cavaliers/2015/07/12/150711postgamemov-3642262

Arinze, on the other hand, not so much; he's deep on the Brooklyn bench, got in for five minutes against the Cavs and came up with goose eggs, except for a rebound and 2 fouls. I realize Arinze's this close to the dream, but I think the time is right for him to take his talents abroad and cash in a bit by getting a gig in a sweet Euroleague city. The clock is ticking.

We all wish them success.
But 6 fouls in 21 minutes???!!!
Rak must have been working out with Pitt players.
(Only they don't get called for most of them).

 

[HOFCeluck]

I thought AO would stick more than this. But he's small for a center (6-9) and doesn't have the range for an NBA PF.

You might be right about cashing in. It's now year five after a five year college career.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Meanwhile...Rak is hitting the rack...
11 rebounds and 8 points in 22 minutes today!

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Meanwhile...Rak is hitting the rack...
11 rebounds and 8 points in 22 minutes today!

And only one foul.

 

[RF2044]

Meanwhile...Rak is hitting the rack...
11 rebounds and 8 points in 22 minutes today!

I watched the second half of this game yesterday. Rak looked solid--like he belongs out there. Gets out and runs well in transition, strong on the boards, on the floor down the stretch in a come from behind winning effort, etc.

It is important to keep in mind that this is summer league competition, but Rak appears to be demonstrating his capabilities and making a strong case for a roster spot.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

I watched the second half of this game yesterday. Rak looked solid--like he belongs out there. Gets out and runs well in transition, strong on the boards, on the floor down the stretch in a come from behind winning effort, etc.

It is important to keep in mind that this is summer league competition, but Rak appears to be demonstrating his capabilities and making a strong case for a roster spot.

Roster's already near capacity, but I'd by surprised if Rakeem isn't with the Cavs opening night. Only way I see that not happening is if another team wants him as part of a trade. The Cavs know they have a potential defensive and rebounding energy bunny, a la Tristan Thompson with a better shot.

Rakeem, from all I see, hear and read, is a mature, bright young man who fully understands his situation and opportunity, plus, the Cavs apparently think they stole a first-round pick in the second round.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Roster's already near capacity, but I'd by surprised if Rakeem isn't with the Cavs opening night. Only way I see that not happening is if another team wants him as part of a trade. The Cavs know they have a potential defensive and rebounding energy bunny, a la Tristan Thompson with a better shot.

Rakeem, from all I see, hear and read, is a mature, bright young man who fully understands his situation and opportunity, plus, the Cavs apparently think they stole a first-round pick in the second round.

Cleveland should have had Rak ranked higher.

But is the GM telling the truth?
Rak wasn't even the first guy the Cavs had Minnesota pick for them in the 2nd round.
He went 36th.
Cedi Osman went at 31.
That prompts the question of whether this Tweet is just GM jibber jabber?

 

[tbonezone]

But 6 fouls in 21 minutes???!!!

rak don't have to worry about playing' thirty in the NBA. bring the pain and make them earn it at the line.

 

[Ringostar57]

Rak...don't hesitate.just think dunk with all the force you have big guy.....
And don't forget the backboard is your friend.bank on it!

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Here's a sweet highlight from Cavs' Friday night win in Vegas, Rakeem flying in for a slam put-back against No. 1 overall pick Karl Anthony-Towns in crunch time. Nice!

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Hmm, innaresting, Cavs talking to 7-foot Russian center they've held rights to since 2008, but this wouldn't/shouldn't affect Rakeem. This guy -- who I loved in "Borat" -- would back up his homeboy Timofey, if a deal can be worked out. Just a gut feeling, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cavs jettison injury prone Sideshow Bob and his big contract, who knows, maybe make him an assistant coach or send him somewhere. http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/07/cleveland_cavaliers_sasha_kaun.html#incart_2box

 

[General20]

Hmm, innaresting, Cavs talking to 7-foot Russian center they've held rights to since 2008, but this wouldn't/shouldn't affect Rakeem. This guy -- who I loved in "Borat" -- would back up his homeboy Timofey, if a deal can be worked out. Just a gut feeling, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cavs jettison injury prone Sideshow Bob and his big contract, who knows, maybe make him an assistant coach or send him somewhere. http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/07/cleveland_cavaliers_sasha_kaun.html#incart_2box

Cleveland wants another guard. Last I heard they tried to trade Brendan Haywood's expiring contract and Varejao to the Nets for Joe Johnson, but that seems to have hit a snag, and the Nets just traded Deron Williams to cut their salary, so I dont know if they need or want to cut anymore salary. However, if this (or something like it) happens where Cleveland trades two bigs for one guard it would be great for Rak. In my mind its the difference between him probably making the team and him probably not making the team.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Cleveland wants another guard. Last I heard they tried to trade Brendan Haywood's expiring contract and Varejao to the Nets for Joe Johnson, but that seems to have hit a snag, and the Nets just traded Deron Williams to cut their salary, so I dont know if they need or want to cut anymore salary. However, if this (or something like it) happens where Cleveland trades two bigs for one guard it would be great for Rak. In my mind its the difference between him probably making the team and him probably not making the team.

Yeah, some loose ends to tie up, most notably re-signing Tristan Thompson. Dellavedova and JR still are unsigned, the Cavs may keep one or both, but Perkins won't be back and Haywood is all but gone; the Cavs have two weeks, till the end of the month, to jettison Hayward and his $10.5 million contract.

The Cavs picked up a decent backup pg, Mo Williams, and there was talk about Joe Johnson, but once Deron Williams left, Joltin' Joe was staying put.

Rakeem's the Cavs' top draft pick, I get the sense they like him, I like him, I gotta believe LeBron'll embrace him like he has TT, outside of being part of a package deal, I don't see how Rakeem's not on the Cavs roster opening night.

 

[jordoo]

Rak will be at the least a solid rotational big in the NBA for years. I never thought I'd believe that until his senior season. Sure the raw materials were there but it just looked like it wasn't ever going to come together. I'm extremely proud and happy for Rakeem. He did things the right way and worked hard.

 

[jordoo]

Yeah, some loose ends to tie up, most notably re-signing Tristan Thompson. Dellavedova and JR still are unsigned, the Cavs may keep one or both, but Perkins won't be back and Haywood is all but gone; the Cavs have two weeks, till the end of the month, to jettison Hayward and his $10.5 million contract.

The Cavs picked up a decent backup pg, Mo Williams, and there was talk about Joe Johnson, but once Deron Williams left, Joltin' Joe was staying put.

Rakeem's the Cavs' top draft pick, I get the sense they like him, I like him, I gotta believe LeBron'll embrace him like he has TT, outside of being part of a package deal, I don't see how Rakeem's not on the Cavs roster opening night.

Couldn't they get the guard they are looking for by doing sign and trade with TT? Maybe also unload Hayward in one foul swoop and use Rak to replace him. You can let Smith walk then and resign Deli

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Couldn't they get the guard they are looking for by doing a sin and trade with TT? Maybe also unload Hayward in one foul swoop and use Rak to replace him. You can let Smith walk then and resign Deli

Can't imagine TT's going anywhere. He's in a great position career-wise and money-wise, I don't think he wants to leave and I don't think the Cavs want to lose him. He's an increasingly important player, a rebounding dynamo.

 

[RF2044]

Rak will be at the least a solid rotational big in the NBA for years. I never thought I'd believe that until his senior season. Sure the raw materials were there but it just looked like it wasn't ever going to come together. I'm extremely proud and happy for Rakeem. He did things the right way and worked hard.

Agreed.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Headline on this Cleveland Plain Dealer article injects a bit of harsh reality, but, instead of the headline, I prefer to focus on the comment of Cavs gm David Griffin, who's quickly proving to be one of the best in the game. http://tinyurl.com/onjzkg9

As the Cavs consider what to do with their openings for reserves in the frontcourt, Griffin said "odds were good " that Christmas "will be on our roster in some form or fashion."
Depending on if Cleveland finds a fourth big man, such as Sasha Kaun, or Anderson Varejao is healthy enough to fill that role, Christmas could make the Cavs' roster and shuttle back and forth between Canton and play in the D-League.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

I just noticed this video profile was posted in a "daily articles" thread the other day, but, pardon the duplication, thought it'd fit nicely on this Rakeem the Dream thread, too. Really pulling for this kid, expect him to bank some nice chedda playing for pay, but I get the impression he's gonna do well in life whatever he chooses to do.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/teams/cavaliers/2015/07/16/150716RAKEEMFEATUREmov-3645670