Recapping The Cavs Midday With One Quote From Each Player

CLEVELAND – The middle of the day is dark. Players are asked too many random questions about their summers. It’s important to get out. It doesn’t matter.

Often what is said is not clear, and it is impossible to combine everything into one coherent story. So instead of trying to do that, I’ll just give you one interesting thing each player said that wasn’t covered in any of our articles.

Let’s start with Cleveland facing the Cavaliers.

Donovan Mitchell

“I saw Peyton Watson in the World Cup and I said Koby [Altman] – We only spoke briefly, I had nothing to say to him – I was like, man, he is tall as shit. Like, I didn’t know he was tall.

There has been a bit of a problem area in the Cavs for a long time. They have struggled as a player who combines his dynamic athleticism with an imposing front.

That part of the system is a unique skill in dividing bridge work. The ideal fit should be comfortable working off the ball on offense as a shooter and tertiary player. Defensively, it is necessary to cover several positions, which include the best players defending the opponent’s perimeter and moving to four if needed.

The Cavs had players who could do one of them. De’Andre Hunter and Max Strus delivered a solid performance, but the defense wasn’t quite up to the task. Dean Wade was the opposite.

We’ll see if Watson can cash away in three. What I can confidently say now is that Mania is right. Watson is indeed tall.

Thomas Bryant

“We have to be one collective out there on the basketball court.”

Some years in the middle of the day, there is a lot of talk about how the team will play differently. Pushing the step, shooting more threes, and moving the ball more are all things we’ve heard of in the past.

The Cavs are not focused on this season. There wasn’t much to talk about with X’s and O’s. But they were talking about the court more closely.

This makes sense, how quickly they came together in the last season of the Cavse. They found sudden success with incredible talent and talent. However, they never felt like they reached the ceiling, even though they advanced to the conference finals.

If you read between the lines here, it was a very coherent system. I spent this summer trying to correct it.

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Nae’Qwan Tomlin

“I’m sure the best dancer. Don can’t dance. Don can’t dance. He doesn’t have real rhythm, and then you don’t dance much.”

As someone who can’t dance, and certainly doesn’t do it in public, I give Mitchell credit for trying.

Ernest Udeh Jr.

Referring to what he wants to improve: “Making a decision. First and foremost I understand my role and what I bring to any team I’m in.

Being able to make decisions and process games are some of the most important skills. I also come to the competition area of the rookies with the most in the league. It is good that Udeh recognizes this and wants to improve there.

James Harden

“It’s my left hand. It was swollen at the time (last postseason), so it was kind of hard to drop or shoot, or be effective. But I mean, it’s not an excuse. You just figure it out. Do whatever it takes.”

He admitted that his left thumb, which he broke in February, is still bothering him in the playoffs. It’s no wonder that she’s often seen with her hand after playoff games. But there is something remarkable that he must admit.

An injured thumb on his dominant hand could be why he had the worst turnover percentage of his career last season.

Jaylon Tyson

Referring to the poor off-ball defense last season: “It’s just laziness. … There was a lot of mental lapses, and I think that’s what we found in the conditions and in even more elite conditions.”

Tyson is not afraid to show his flaws publicly. That is also with an intense desire to fix the faults. Last season, we saw him go from being a hesitant three-point shooter to being the most efficient shooter in the league. This year the Nisl side of the area was defended.

Tyrese Proctor

“[Patty Mills] He taught me a lot. Obviously all the stuff on the court, the footwork, the technical stuff, the balance, the base, but a lot of the court. Just with the NBA and the environment that I play in and stuff like that.

The second-year guard revealed that he spent three weeks in Hawaii with Mills for summer training. You can’t find many better guards to imitate your game. This added to Australia’s representation in the FIBA qualifiers.

Safe to say, Proctor has had a busy summer.

Tristan Enaruna

“I see that I found a spot here. I feel good. I’m confident. That definitely helps knowing what they’re getting into.”

Enaruna has the size and skills you want on the wing. It remains to be seen whether it is intended for cavso or not.

MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 02: Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid poses for a photo with the 2025/26 La Liga ACB Endesa MVP trophy during the Spanish League Liga ACB Endesa basketball Quarter Finals Game 1 between Real Madrid and La Laguna Tenerife at Movistar Arena on June 02, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europe Press via Getty Images

Marius Hezonja

“I don’t need to prove anything. I just need to give. This is my mind. I think everyone knows what it is. I don’t even come here with my mind that I’m back in Europe. … It gives my mind. I give this team, I give coaching to this one. [staff]my teammates Just like paying.”

It wasn’t a lack of skill that caused Hezonja’s first stint in the NBA to be unsuccessful, and it’s not a concern six years later. The question is whether Hezonja can buy his place in the team, fit into what is needed, and perform in a narrower role.

From Hezonja’s comments, he knows what he needs to do with this team and wants to do it. We’ll see if he can bounce back.

Craig Porter Jr.

“I feel like it’s a little bit sad. I just want to be able to open things up for the other guys because everyone knows Donovan and James and those guys are going to do what they do on a nightly basis. For the rest of us, it’s to take some of that pressure off our shoulders.”

The goalkeeper has the potential to be a much more effective scorer. His three-point shot goes a long way, and he’s a good finisher at the rim. The next step in his development is figuring out what to do when he is cut by the basket.

It’s much easier to envision Porter as a backup point guard if he’s a multi-faceted scorer.

Meleek Thomas

“But I have a defense in particular, because I’m confident there about my defense before I can do anything on offense.”

A rookie second-round pick typically doesn’t make a significant impact on teams with championship aspirations. Thomas could become an exception if the scoring he shows in Summer League carries over to the playoffs. However, if the defense is not at least accessible, it is difficult to give him the minutes he has already given in this lack of attack.

I can’t believe how impactful Thomas will be in his rookie season. However, it is encouraged that it seems to know what is needed to reach the court.

Leo Minix

“Guys are inviting themselves to New York, Phoenix, all these places to camp. We went to the US to open together, which is pretty crazy. Guys show up, and you can tell about this team and in this organization, which is part of the culture.”

As I mentioned with Bryant’s testimony, one of the main highlights of the day was how this team is trying to establish a tighter connection on the court. It’s hard to communicate with players you don’t have a relationship with. What was sometimes an issue in the scenes was how little experience they had rotating together.

Cleveland’s players have changed their ways this offseason. Those plans included inviting even two-way players like Minix to events and sure felt like a valuable part of the team. This is significant.

Evan Mobley

Referring to what he has worked on the most in the away season: “Getting to go, to go with the group in certain spots, knowing what I will probably get to me. This has been a big focus for me this summer.”

Mobley couldn’t divulge what the move was. “You’re going to find out and see.”

Mobley has always been a good finisher around the rim, but between games is less than ideal for someone who shows good touch. Last season, 46% in attempts between the restricted area and the free throw line (52nd percent) and 31% in long mid-range shots (48th percent. Both accessible but far from the elite. Having something that he could go to in the second level is a great way for him to supplement his offense.

Sam Merrill

“Experience is so important. You can’t replicate the experience of the playoffs. Every second the pressure is there, and how important each possession is.
“I have some ups and downs in the playoffs, like everyone did. I felt overall good about the way it grew and I felt like I got better and better, but again, how can I do better in all the players of the game? To try and make life easier for Donovan and James, and for Evan and Jarrett. [Allen]. The easier we can make life for them, the easier they will make it for us and we will be better off.”

One elite skill as a shooter can get you on the floor in a playoff game. Being able to contribute in many ways will keep you there.

Merrill’s shooting was instrumental in many points. But becoming more comfortable doing other things like handling the ball, choosing a wider variety of defensive assignments, and finding ways to score inside the arc will allow him to show up in the arc more often.

Jarrett Allen

“More together means more success.”

Merrill talked about the importance of playoff reps, but there’s something to be said for the regular season as well. This group with Harden simply needs time to figure out how they want to play, how to carry out what they did well last year, and counters with teams taking away the highest strength and volume like the New York Knicks did last season.

Regular season results don’t matter much in the playoffs. They behave at the right time. That’s what the Cavs need this year.

“We have the ability to do great things, but work must be done first so that we can continue to act at our best.”

Note: Peyton Watson and Khalifa Diop did not participate in media availability.

Recapping the Cavs Midday with one quote from each player