Throughout the preseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have focused on rebounding. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson wants to make it a core identity this season. To Atkinson, having Cleveland gobble up opportunities leads to even more looks on offense. With the Cavs boasting bigs like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and tons of rebounding support, putting Atkinson’s theory into practice should be easy. Cleveland’s first real test of Atkinson’s vision will come on the road , where the Cavs take on the Toronto Raptors. While Atkinson and his players won’t reveal their entire gameplan on what they have cooked up for Toronto, Cleveland is locked in on what they’ve been preaching: rebounding. More particularly, offensive rebounding.
“These are new concepts, and it’s going to take time,” said Atkinson. “But it’s definitely an area of improvement for us. Our transition defense will be tested since it’s the best thing they do. So, we’ve got to really be locked in. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going after the boards, right? We’re still going to go after the offensive boards.”
The Raptors boast one of the taller and more athletic teams in the NBA. So, if Cleveland can control the glass and limit Toronto, the Cavs can set the tone immediately…