Rodney Hood hasn’t played meaningful minutes since early in the postseason, but with the Cavaliers backed against the wall, it appears they’ll make a lineup change, allowing the 25-year-old to see some additional court time.
“We’re going to give Hood a chance,” Tyronn Lue said Tuesday (via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com). “He’ll get a shot, and see how he does. He’s been working, staying ready. So we’ll see.”
The Cavs acquired Hood mid-season in a three-team trade. In the deal:
- The Cavs acquired Hood (from Jazz) and George Hill (from Kings) along with the draft rights to Arturas Gudaitis (from Kings).
- The Jazz acquired Jae Crowder (from Cavs), Derrick Rose (from Cavs), and the right to swap 2024 second-round picks with the Cavs.
- Kings acquired Iman Shumpert (from Cavs), Joe Johnson (from Jazz), the Heat’s 2020 second-round pick (from Cavs), cash ($2.1MM from Cavs; $1.1MM from Jazz), and the draft rights to Dimitrios Agravanis (from Cavs).
Prior to the trade, Hood was playing well, making 38.9% of his three-pointers on nearly seven attempts per contest in Utah. He was sporting a player efficiency rating of 15.1 and appeared to be on his way to landing a solid second contract in the league, as he’ll be a restricted free agent this summer.
Once he arrived in his Cleveland, his performance took a hit. In 21 regular season games with the Cavs, he made just 35.2% of his shots from behind the arc and sported a player efficiency rating of 12.7. Among Cleveland’s five-man lineups that played at least 30 minutes together this season, none featuring Hood had a positive rating, per NBA.com.
Part of the issue could be fit. Hood has played 64% of his minutes at the three in Cleveland; He spent 63% of his time at the two spot in Utah, per Basketball-Reference’s positional data.
Hood has proven he can’t elevate the team while playing heavy minutes next to the Cavs’ rotation of guards with defensive liabilities, but perhaps Lue plays him alongside one guard, planting him next to LeBron James and a pair of frontcourt players. Maybe that’s enough of an adjustment to make the NBA Finals a competitive series. Or maybe there is no way for the Cavs to come close to beating the Warriors four times over the next five contests.
How many games will the Cavs win in this series? If Hood receives playing time, will it make a difference? What do the next few games mean for the future of Cleveland and Hood’s pending free agency?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. We look forward to hearing what you have to say!
You guys get a mulligan… go ahead and delete this post and we’ll pretend it was never written.
#rodneyhood #really
I’ll take Hood over JRs bum ass all day
Uh I for one was wondering why the Cavs haven’t played him. He was acquired for a reason and of scrubs like TT and JR get meaningful minutes why wouldn’t a better player? I would bet he failed to yield for LeBron in the parking lot and is being punished.
Simply b/c guys like Hood didn’t get it done against the Pacers. Since why “scrubs” like TT and JR got starting minutes and WON…
Gotta play TT this probably his last season before Khloe ruins his life
I think most players freak out when playing alongside James. They seem scared to make mistakes so end up playing with fear; passing up shots, giving the ball straight back to him and looking like cows in an abattoir queue
Tell that to Jordan Clarkson
Only if the question is, “Who is least likely to make a difference for the Cavs in the Finals?” Then yes, Rodney Hood would be the answer.
I didn’t realize that the Cavs had Michael Jordan on the bench… oh no wait they don’t it’s just Rodney Hood… no playing him more isn’t going to get them to beat the Warriors. Is this a serious question?
Nothing against Hood – I actually don’t really get why he hasn’t gotten more playing time. But like I said… they aren’t putting in a second LeBron or Jordan into the lineup. And unless they have one of those lying around they ‘ain’t beating’ the Warriors 4 out of 5 times lol.
Totally agree with #Rodney Hood #Really.
Is this a joke? He can only help to lose quicker.
3 – 1
This may be the dumbest headline this site has ever put up.
He will be the difference, he brings size,athleticism, shooting, and someone who can create their own shot and knock down open shots. He is staying ready so he’ll be ready to go off from now till the the end of the series, Cavs in 7 as a matter a fact the Cavs might win 4 straight and win this series. Lebron is not leaving Cleveland after they win this ring, he’s the GOAT regardless win or lose. They can re-sign Hood and Lebron and use the pick on Collin Sexton. Sexton can play defense and get to the basket and could play behind Hill next season until he’s ready to take over at PG 2019-2020.
As Alex Trebek would say,
“Nooooooo, sorry.”
As a Cavs fan, I can promise that Rodney Hood is nowhere close to the answer
Yes. Hood’s not a great player, but he’s a very solid and complete wing player, and should never have fallen out of the rotation in the first place. The Cavs are dead man walking, but you still need to put your best team out there and compete.
It’s a mystery as to why the Cavs acquired him (at the cost of Crowder) if they weren’t going to commit to playing him, and, after taking on Clarkson’s toxic deal the same day, they have no rational way of re-signing him. You have to wonder if Altman and Lue speak much.
Short answer. No
I’d be more interested to see them play Kendrick Perkins. Maybe he can provide some physical play at the rim that has been non-existent.
Perk on a Curry switch would be great entertainment
One word. Brick.
They’re playing him at guard, with James, instead of in place of James. He could not replace Haywood at Utah either. He needs to be assigned a role he can accomplish, not left on his own to find a role, which has been tough for several incoming Cavs including Clarkson, Crowder & IT.