CLEVELAND: Kay Felder can do everything the Cavaliers are looking for out of their backup point guard: Someone who can get them into the offense, attack and make the right play. He proved it during three years in college and early on with the Cavs.
The only problems are that he’s undersized and he’s inexperienced.
If he continues to play as he did Wednesday, however, that may not matter. Felder had 14 points, two assists, two steals and a turnover in 23 minutes during the Cavs’ 117-102 victory over the Orlando Magic in their preseason opener.
Kyrie Irving sat out to rest, leaving the floor to his understudies in the race to see who can secure the job as the primary backup. None of the candidates are an ideal fit. Felder is the only natural point guard, but he’s raw and coach Tyronn Lue doesn’t want to expose him to too much, too soon.
Jordan McRae is getting a crash course at the position and DeAndre Liggins, who got the start Wednesday, is viewed as more of a combo guard. He has appeared in exactly one NBA game over the last three years — and that was three years ago — although he has twice been named the NBA Development League’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Liggins got the start Wednesday in part because Lue wanted to keep Felder with the second unit, the group he’ll be playing with this season presuming he wins the job.
Felder doesn’t have NBA 3-point range, which makes him a rarity on this roster. But he forced the Magic to call a timeout after scoring on three consecutive possessions, including an offensive rebound and later a steal and fast break.
“He definitely can play,” Lue said. “I like him because he’s tough, he competes every single night. But to throw a rookie into the fire of a championship team and all the scrutiny that surrounds this team and the pressure of winning, I just don’t want to do that to him. But he’s a great player and we know that, so we’re going to bring him along slow and I think he’ll be fine.”
McRae led everyone with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Liggins had three turnovers and three assists, but was brought here more because of his defense. He went to summer league this year with the Cavs and played a fair amount with the ball in his hands.
Lue, however, sees him more as a combo guard and wants him to focus on his defense.
“I thought defensively he was great,” Lue said. “We have enough scorers on our team to get baskets and get buckets. For him defensively is what we’re looking for, and he did a good job tonight.”
LeBron James had seven points and six assists and Kevin Love had eight points in limited time. Both stars played under 14 minutes.
The Cavs led by 26 at the half and 97-69 after the third before both sides cleared their benches. Channing Frye and Jonathan Holmes each scored 12 points off the bench for the Cavs.
Tristan Thompson was a late scratch with a stiff left foot, although Lue doesn’t believe it’s serious.
Blatt gets a ring
Lue was pleased the organization offered a ring to former coach David Blatt and that Blatt accepted it — after a little prodding.
“That’s the first thing I said when we won, that we need to get coach Blatt a ring,” Lue said. “I had to fight him a little bit. He didn’t want to do it. But he definitely deserves one. I’m glad he accepted it and I’m glad the organization is going to get him one.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.