CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins break down one of the most memorable nights of the Cavs’ season — a 130-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers powered by historic performances from Jarrett Allen and Craig Porter Jr.
Takeaways:
Jarrett Allen’s Historic, Career-Best Performance
With the Cavaliers missing key starters, Jarrett Allen delivered what was described as unequivocally the best game of his NBA career. He recorded a career-high 40 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks in under 30 minutes, becoming the first player in league history to post at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in under 30 minutes of play. His first half alone — 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks — was a feat not seen from a Cavalier since the 1997-98 season. The performance showcased his vastly improved offensive arsenal, including sophisticated post moves, hooks with either hand, and impressive footwork, prompting the coaching staff to reconsider how to feature him more prominently in the offense moving forward.
Team-Wide Ball Movement Eases Donovan Mitchell’s Burden
The victory was characterized by exceptional team-wide ball movement, culminating in 41 total assists, which tied a season-high. This collaborative effort allowed superstar Donovan Mitchell to operate as a facilitator rather than feeling the pressure to be the sole creator. Mitchell finished with an efficient nine assists to only three turnovers, benefiting from teammates making plays behind the defense when he was double-teamed. The podcast stressed this is the ideal formula for the Cavs. This style reduces the immense physical and mental load on Mitchell, which is seen as critical for keeping him healthy for the playoffs and may play a significant factor in his long-term future with the franchise.
Craig Porter Jr. and Secondary Creators Step Up
In the absence of Darius Garland, Craig Porter Jr. delivered a standout performance that highlighted his value as a facilitator. He posted a career-high 12 assists along with five steals and two blocks off the bench, becoming the first NBA player to achieve that stat line as a reserve since 1993. His ability to create for others, particularly in a lineup with Sam Merrill and Allen, demonstrated a potential solution to the team’s lack of playmaking on its second unit. The hosts noted his simple, effective decisions underscore how “creator-starved” the team is without its primary point guard and make a strong case for keeping him in a ball-handling role.
Strategic Implications of Roster Moves and Future Trades
The discussion heavily focused on the team’s roster strategy, framing the recent acquisition of Dennis Schröder as “Darius Garland insurance” in case his injury is more serious than initially reported. While Schröder brings much-needed dribble penetration and shot creation, his arrival raises questions about Craig Porter Jr.’s long-term role, potentially pushing him to an off-ball position that demands improved 3-point shooting. Despite the additions of Schröder and Keon Ellis, the podcast hosts believe the Cavaliers are not finished making moves before the trade deadline, as the team still needs to address the lack of a big, scoring wing — a void the traded De’Andre Hunter was meant to fill.
A Monumental Day for the Cavaliers Organization
The win against the Trail Blazers was the centerpiece of what was described as a historically great day for the Cleveland basketball community. Beyond Jarrett Allen’s record-setting night, the game featured several other milestones. Craig Porter Jr. had a historically significant game off the bench, and Cleveland State graduate Tristan Enaruna made his NBA debut and scored his first points. The day was topped off by the pre-game announcement that Donovan Mitchell was named an All-Star for the seventh time. This confluence of positive events, from individual accolades to a resilient team win, provided a significant morale boost for a team navigating a difficult stretch of injuries.
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Transcript
NOTE: This transcript was generated by artificial intelligence and could contain misspellings and errors.
Ethan Sands: What up, Cavs Nation! I’m your host, Ethan Sands, and I’m back with another episode of the Wine and Gold Cup Podcast. And joining me Today, Jimmy Watkins, cleveland.com columnist. And we’re coming to you guys after the Cavs latest win, 130-111 over the Portland Trail Blazers. And we knew coming into tonight’s contest that it was going to be interesting, Jimmy. Not only because the Portland Trailblazers had defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier into the season, but knowing what they were going to be missing. No Darius Garland, no Max Truce, no Evan Mobley, and no DeAndre Hunter, as he was traded to the Sacramento Kings. So the Cleveland Cavaliers had to turn to the next viable option, which is, in this case, Jarrett Allen. And he came out roaring, Jimmy. When it comes to that first half alone, he became the first cavalier player since 1997, 1998, to record 25 points or more, 10 or more rebounds, and two or more blocks in a single half. He’s also the second NBA player to post these three numbers and a half this season, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who did it on November 7, 2025 against the Chicago Bulls. Then Jimmy what was most impressive to me for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jarrett Allen himself was keeping him engaged in the second half. He was able to continue that performance and ended the game with 40 points, which is a career high. 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals in less than 30 minutes. Is the first player in NBA history with 40, 15 and 5 in under 30 minutes. It’s arguably, if not unequivocally, Jarrett Allen’s best game in the NBA. This is the version that the Cavs had when Evan Mobley and Darius Garland were injured two years ago and the Cavs needed Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell to go on this strike stretch. I think they’re going to need it again, depending on how long Evan and Darius are going to be out. What did you make of this performance tonight? What was most impressive and what do you think the Cavs need to do to replicate something similar going forward on this road trip?
Jimmy Watkins: Well, it’s no doubt the best game that Jarrett Allen’s ever played in the NBA. It’s one of the best games. It’s a random Sunday night, the middle of February, and the Blazers were missing Drew Holiday and Denny Avdia and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So I’m not gonna get crazy here, but statistically is one of the most impressive things that anyone’s ever done on a basketball court. You outlined it for us There. And high volume scoring usually takes more time than this. More, more field goal attempts than this. It’s. He’s a big man, he’s deficient, I get it. But it was incredible. The most impressive part for me was that tonight is a reminder of once he got going, just how far Jarrett Allen has come. Kenny was talking about this in post game too. How far Jarrett Allen has come as an offensive player. Like, it’s not just rolls to the rim and dunks. It’s really soft jump hooks with either hand around the rim. It’s really, really patient footwork, really sophisticated pivots over either shoulder, which is not, you know, particularly in the era where being a rim running lob catching big is good enough. If Jarrett Allen never added these parts to his game, he would still be well paid, well compensated in the NBA because of his other incredible skill sets. But he took it upon himself to add to his game. And when he gets the chance to showcase it like this, I’ll put the little push shot floater two in there too. It’s not beautiful. When he went to it a couple times tonight, it was kind, he kind of had a couple of heat check floaters where he would force it every now and again. It’s like, that was ugly. But I’m not even mad at you because you’re rolling at such a ridiculous level right now. That part is really impressive too. And we’ve seen that develop over the course of his time here to the point where Kenny Atkinson was saying, I don’t think this is just fluff, particularly given the situation they’re in right now with Evan and Darius. Kenny was saying, like, I need to reimagine how we get this guy involved in the offense. Right? And I know some people will hear that and go, no, duh. Like we, you’ve been telling us forever that this guy is a bellwether for your team. And then when he doesn’t get the ball, you just kind of throw your hands up like, yeah, maybe you should work a little harder to give him the basketball. But it’s, it’s just not that simple when you have the kinds of players that are usually around the cat. Tonight was a tailor made set of circumstances for Jarrett Allen to have a big night. It’s Sunday. People are sluggish. It’s the middle of a road trip. The Blazers are half dead because they’re their best player. And arguably, I mean, at the beginning of the season, Drew Holiday was their second best player for sure. Are both out. Who’s going to bring the energy is probably going to win this game. And Jarrett Allen raised his hand say I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Because it started with tip dunks and running, just outrunning Donovan Clingan down the floor. Donovan Clingan has many merits as an NBA big. He’s a really good rim protector. I think he’s a really useful drop coverage big. If he can never get that three point shot figured out, he may think he made one tonight. That would be a huge, frankly revolutionary for the Portland Trailblazers. But we’ll see. This current NBA is a tough, it’s a tough puzzle piece for him to solve sometimes because if the Blazers are in a position where they have to run back and transition, Donovan Mcclingman’s going to be last up the floor. And Jarrett Allen did a great job of recognizing that tonight and just flat out out hustling him and now running, I mean, Jarrett, there is an element of, even if both of them are hustling, Jarrett Allen’s going to be moving faster. When you’re talking about what’s replicable that stuff, how Jarrett Allen gets involved like this is a, this is a nice game that the Cavs can use to open the eyes of not just potentially Kenny Atkinson, but all of Jarrett Allen’s teammates who I, I will say this till I’m blue in the face. I don’t think the Cavs go as Jarrett Allen goes. I think Jarrett Allen goes as the Cavs go. He needs somebody to get him started and it’s so simple to just look up and see him outrunning Donovan, clinging. Not everyone’s as clumsy footed as, as Donovan Clingan is. Not everyone’s as big and burly. He won’t be lapping every big man around the court, but he is fast. He does move well for a big man. We talked about earlier in the year, he was top 10 in the NBA and distance covered. I think that was at his position last year. We know he could do this. He’s done it before for long stretches. So this is another piece of the puzzle I think going forward that the Cavs can look to incorporate. And even when Darius Garland gets back, even when Evan Mobley gets back, like this is a card you can play. Jarrett Allen on rules, even if you don’t think he has a dunk, look at what he could do around the rim, throwing the ball. He’s not a ball hog either. He’s. He’ll kick it back out to you. He plays with his head up. He’s a He’s a decent passer. Like, it was a good thing for everyone on this team to see this, particularly some of the newer guys who aren’t as used to playing with Jarrett, because yeah, that’s in there every now and again in the regular season. He can give you. He can give you 25 and 12. Like that’s not outlandish. 40 and 17 is crazy for anybody, but 25 and 12 is not outlandish for Jarrett Allen on a given night. And this was a nice refresher the Cavs can use moving forward. Just as a little tip, like, just find a way to get him touches. It pays off exponentially to that point.
Ethan Sands: Jimmy. Jarrett Allen said it himself after the game, and I quote, I can’t do it without my teammates. They fed me every single time. I’m not a guy that creates for myself. He understands his role. Kenny Atkinson understands his role. Kenny Atkinson, when they were in Brooklyn together and Jarrett Allen was just getting into the league, have the confidence that Jarrett Allen could one day have his jersey retired by the Brooklyn Nets. So why would you go away from a player that you had that level of belief in? And he’s only evolved his game since then. And I think it’s also about the players that he has around him. And Jimmy, there was a lineup tonight that I liked very, very much and it was Craig Porter Jr. Sam Merrow, Jalen Tyson, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen. And when you look at that lineup, it has everything that you might need on the floor. Sure, you can talk about the fact that Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill have created a two man game that is replicable of what Max Strus was doing with him over the last couple of seasons. That’s the point of what Sam Merrow has been doing this year with this Cavaliers team. Having the ball in his hands more, being able to use his shot, fake a little bit more heavy. I think that’s been allowing him to play with more patience and read the floor. Whether that necessarily goes into an attack off the dribble after that reading a closeout or simply finding Jarrett Allen in a read and roll. And then also Jarrett Allen having the wherewithal to kick it back out if the double swings to Jarrett because he’s that much of a presence on the interior. And what he does can create gravity and spacing for Sam Arrow, who we know only needs a sliver of it. The other portion of this lineup is Craig Porter Jr. We had a conversation on a recent podcast about how Kenny Atkinson and the Cleveland Cavaliers are perceiving Craig Porter Jr. As maybe more of an off the ball player. Well, he was showing you tonight that he can create for players when he’s on the ball. He had a career high 12 assists, five steals, two blocks and it was his eighth multi block game this season. Four rebounds and just one turnover. Jimmy, I really am a fan of the lineups that allow Craig Porter Jr to be a facilitator, how he’s grown his game, how he’s this season in that capacity and just learning how he understands where the ball needs to go without making a risky decision. And I think that’s an area that’s been growing for him exponentially this season and where we’ve seen it in the last couple of months and especially in tonight’s game when it comes to Jarrett Allen and how he was able to get him the ball and feed him and find him in ways that other players simply weren’t able to.
Jimmy Watkins: Craig’s easy, it’s easy to miss. Like he has 12 assists. You watch him back and none of them are like these puppet master Luka Doncic. I’m controlling the entire defense. It’s just a little poke here into the defensively, stick my head in here and draw an extra defender and throw a little pocket pass. It really highlights how creator starved the Cavs are right now. Just that that Craig Porter Jr. Can just stick his head a touch above water, like knows his way, fingertip of his nose, tip of his nose, his way into the defense and it makes the world of difference for the Cavs. It really highlights how dire the situation is that they’re in without Darius Garland right now. I would say it also highlights why they included they were willing to include Dennis Schroeder in a trade for DeAndre Hunter. Right. You have questions about what does Dennis Schroeder’s arrival mean for Craig Porter Jr. I think those questions are fair. Dennis Schroeder will clearly be above Craig Porter Jr. In the pecking order. I think part of the reason the Cavs have been posturing Craig Porter Jr. As an off ball guy is because Dennis Schroeder is on his way. And what else is he. What else are you going to say because Dennis Schroeder is going to have the ball more than Craig Porter Jr. He’s going to play more than Craig Porter Jr. I mean Craig Porter as a combo guard, off ball guy. We’ll see. I don’t envision many situations where Craig Porter Jr. And Dennis Schroeder are playing two together with the bench unit. Although again, everything’s on the table while Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are out. Right. So never say never. But for that to be the case, he needs to care. Port Jing just needs to become a better and more willing three point shooter. Right. Particularly off the catch. That’s just what it is. We’ve been saying that for a long time that will dep. Determine Craig’s long term role. Unless, of course, he’s so good on the ball and he could create so much value as a passer and an organizer that that could change. I’m a little skeptical, I think, if the Cavs, and this is a big if. There’s a lot of noise around the Cavs right now about other stuff. If the Cavs actually have Dennis Schroeder, as in their plans for the future. And by that I mean like beyond this summer, I. I would wonder what’s going to happen to Craig Porter Jr. Or I mean, Darius Garland too. Like there’s a world where I’m not saying Dennis Schroeder is a Darius Garland replacement. I think it’s more like he’s Darius Garland. Insurance. How long has it been since our seven to ten day reevaluation period? It’s been a couple days. We haven’t heard anything. Right. So it’s more like if this Darius. If Darius never gets back to being normal Darius or this other toe injury is more serious than we think it is. By the way, I’m just speculating. I’m not. I don’t know anything about either of these things. These are just possibilities that are on the table here. Then it would make more sense for Dennis Shooter and Craig Porter Jr. To be around. Right. That being said, I’m with you. I liked in a time where the Cavs bench lineups, but the Cavs bench lineups weren’t particularly awesome against night. A lot of the guys who came off the bench were minuses. And it was mostly just when you mix the hybrid lineups where the Cavs were awesome. Right. But in a time where the Cavs benches so starved for creation and juice and anything that will grease the wheels on offense, I think using Craig as a. As a creator is. It’s necessary. He, including Sam Merrill in these lineups is very smart because he unlocks so many things for other people. And of course, it helps to have Jarrett Allen playing like a fricking madman out there.
Ethan Sands: Yeah. And to that point, Jimmy, about the potential trades and all these things. We’ve had this conversation on this podcast already about the potential for the cast to still make a move and potentially move Lonzo Ball because again tonight, even in 16 minutes he was not productive. He was a minus 10 on the floor. He only had two assists and three rebounds. He is one of two from the field. It feels forced whenever Keddie Atkinson is going to Lonzo Ball. It’s out of necessity. It’s not out of want to. And this is an insane thing to think about because of Lonzo Ball being one of the first people off the bench to start the season. He was the sixth man alongside Dean Wade when DeAndre Hunter was in the starting lineup. That’s what the Cavs were going to where would the Cavs be if this was different? If the buy in process to Craig Porter Jr. Would have happened a little earlier? Or what could it also look like if the Cavs have to add Craig Porter Jr. As a sweetener to a deal that includes lines of ball? If they don’t want to get rid of one of their few and far between remaining second round picks or the first round pick that they still have? Right. The Cows don’t want to necessarily go that route. And I think it’s going to be a difficult conversation, a difficult decision making when it comes to figuring out where they go next and who they’re going to include into this next deal. Because as I said on yesterday’s podcast, I do not think that the Cavs are done before the trend they lock. But the other portion of this is talking about how Donovan Mitchell looked more free flowing, less stress induced when it came to tonight’s game because there were so many other creators out there. Obviously we know, as I mentioned, Craig Porter Jr. Had 12 assists, Donovan Mitchell had nine assists and only three turnovers. One of his best efficient games when it comes to being the de facto point guard. Jaylon Tyson had six assists, Jarrett Allen had five assists. Sam Merrill had four assists. The 41 assists for the team is tied for a season high. And as we know Jimmy, the Cavs play their best game when the ball is flowing and the bodies are moving. But when they see Donovan Mitchell pick his spots, being able to choose when he gets to go having another outlet rather than having to feel like you have to go for 40 every night. Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, Jalen Tyson, somebody step up on any given night. And I feel like the Cavs are seeing that they have more outlets than just Donovan Mitchell and it’s allowing him to be who he wants to be as a player and kind of get a little bit back to what happened last season when he was empowering more rather than stressing during the 82 game regular season. And I think that will bode well for how this Cavs team is going to be structured when it comes to the playoffs and the health of this team. Because Donovan Mitchell, again, as we talked about, cannot feel like he needs to do everything on any given night if the Cavs want to get further than the Eastern Conference semifinals. Because already to this point when they have gotten there, they have never been healthy. So they need to find a way to get past that and Donovan Mitchell needs to be a part of that equation.
Jimmy Watkins: My favorite thing about Donovan’s assists tonight and has really nothing to do with Donovan and everything to do with everything else, how little effort he had to put into them. They were all very simple. First two were inbound passes to Sam for threes and he’s throwing hit aheads and he said in cutter he’s throwing little drop off passes to Dean Wade as a trailer for three. Like those things will add up over time and that’s not what we’ve been seeing from Donovan to this point in the season. Right. I said last week that, you know, the whole pull the reins on Donovan, you know, I know you’re in midseason shape, but we, we gotta pull back on you. That’s out the window because there’s no other way. Tonight showed you that there could be other ways. Not Sam Merrill’s back and you know, we got reinforcements coming on the way with Keone Ellis who can shoot and Dennis Schroeder who can create. I think he’ll drive Cavs fans a little bit crazy sometimes with the way that he jacks. He jacks mid Rangers and I don’t know, I’m not as big a fan of Tender Shooter as, as everyone else. There’s a reason that guy’s been on like 10 or 11 teams. But he has his place here. He has his place here. Tonight showed you as the cat. Even like with peripheral pieces like Sam Rail back in the lineup, it’s a reminder that this, this team is not designed to rely so heavily on Donovan and they have done so to such an extreme degree. And we’ve talked about how his, how close his usage rate is this year to the way it was his last year in Utah when he finally decided, nah man, I. This is not the place where I’m going to try to win my championship. Right. And we have the big decision looming after this year. Only one more year left under team control with his contract. This is a very important stretch of the season for how Donovan Mitchell perceives the Cavs going forward. Obviously the playoffs are the most important stretch, but if we get to the playoffs, the reason I say now is important because he’s already put so much mileage on his body and if you don’t find a way to reduce it now. Yes, I know. I said reduce it. Even though Darius Garland is hurt, even though Evan Mobley is hurt, and we still don’t know when Max Truce is going to come back, you have to reduce this because if it ends up again that Donovan Mitchell is playing through wear and tear in the playoffs, and to a certain extent, everybody is. But two years ago in the, in the Boston series, Donovan Mitchell had to miss the end of that series because he couldn’t do it with the calf strain anymore. Last year in Indiana, Donovan wasn’t talking about it, but he was playing through injury in that Indiana Pacer series. If we get to the playoffs again and this team that is designed to take responsibility off of Donovan Mitchell’s plate, off of his legs specifically, doesn’t do that again, then it kind of doesn’t matter. Like if he’s, if he’s fighting through a calf strain again, whatever kind of nagging maintenance injury, if that happens again and he has to do all the heavy lifting for the next three, four weeks or so that he’s been doing for the first couple of months of this season, like, I’m sorry, that’s just going to play a factor in his decision. That’s why another, another reason why I would agree with Ethan. I don’t think the Cavs are done yet because I think the DeAndre Hunter trade, while it does bring in two useful rotation players, also leaves them a little bit bare on the, on the big wing slash supplemental scoring front. Those roles that DeAndre Hunter was supposed to fill still haven’t been filled by this trade. So we’ll see about all that going forward. But it’s just like, okay, the Blazers and every team are going to defend Donovan this way. When the Cavs are shorthanded, when Donovan comes around a screen, they’re going to throw two bodies at him because they’re saying, you’re a fricking maestro with the ball in your hands. We’re not going to let you manipulate our defense and make a decision. We’re going to make you make a decision. Now our decision is sending two bodies at you. And now we know that it’s four on three behind us. So, so we know that’s not the greatest decision, but it’s at least a decision that we can control. And it’s a decision that includes Donovan Mitchell not making the final decision. It means Jalen Tyson or Jarrett Allen or Sam Row, whoever, Dean Wade, ideally, honestly, for a defense is then catching and either shooting or dribbling and trying to create something that they are objectively maybe the, the most obvious thing that’s ever been said on a podcast, those people are not as comfortable doing as Donovan Mitchell. Right. That’s the idea. And on several occasions tonight, Donovan Mitchell did that. And the Cavs just made the play behind him. And all Donovan Mitchell had to do was sit back near half quarter behind the three point line and watch. And it’s very simple to see it unfold. And it should be simple for professional basketball players to play four on three. But on several occasions this season in games like this, Donovan Mitchell has made the decision to either reject a screen and go one on one or try to split a double team because the Cavs didn’t have the same reinforcements behind him. Okay, so that Donovan Mitchell can feel free to make the easy decision and the Cavs are making the easy plays behind him. That’s a massive deal that goes way beyond one nice road win in Portland. And this is a very nice road win in Portland. You’re shorthanded. Donovan Mitchell didn’t particularly shoot that well. He didn’t need to because he didn’t even really need to ever find a rhythm because the Cavs were, his teammates were playing so well around him. It’s a nice team win, but it’s also way bigger picture. This stuff can be replicable as you start to get more bodies, more shooters back, more Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroeder. I think Chris said they’re going to join the team on the trip when it gets to la. Right. So they’re not going to be masters of Kenny Atkinson’s offense right away. But everybody knows what to do when the superstar gets double teamed and they throw you the ball. You either shoot it or you attack the defense and try to make, make the right read before those two guys who are doubling Donovan get back into their position. That’s something, that’s a language that anybody can speak. And I think it’s really important that the Cavs had a really good game in that, in that regard tonight.
Ethan Sands: Yeah, Jermaine, I think that’s really well said. Basically, Donovan Mitchell needing to be a part of the equation was him needing to be healthy or peaking or going towards his best self during the playoffs, not necessarily in the middle of the season, because as we know, the Cavs have now played 51 games. So we’re at this point in season where the Cavs are trying to decide who they are, what their identity is and obviously where their trade pieces are going to help fill those gaps. And I think Dennis Schroeder, to your point about him maybe chucking up more mid range shots than he might need to. The fact of the matter is, Jimmy, he’s getting to the mid range via dribble. He’s able to get downhill himself. That’s something that Lonzo Ball hasn’t been able to do this season. That’s something that the Cavs have needed to be able to create opportunities for their shooters. And especially if you have Sam Merrill and Max Schus back, that’s going to look a lot different for some of the guys that are on the floor and how they’re able to get the ball. And as we continue to say, the Cavs are better when the ball is moving. And I think Dennis Schroeder is going to look at the talent on this team and, and you can already see him on social media raving about getting to come to Cleveland. But the fact is, him knowing the talent around him, him knowing what he’s able to do and how he’s able to facilitate success in different scenarios, I think is going to help this Cavs team as a whole. But the main thing in this conversation is Dennis Schroeder needs to know his role. He needs to know where he falls. He needs to know where he get help rather than take over. This isn’t a team that needs him to take over. This isn’t a team that needs him to be tied. Jerome, would it be nice? Yes. But that’s not the expectation of Dennis Schroeder coming in. When he gets to LA for the Clippers game on Wednesday, will he be active? Will Keon Alice be active? Still to be determined. But that’s when they’re going to be joining them and that’s when Cavs personnel, when it comes to their front office and higher ups are also going to be joining to get that first impression when it comes to being a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jimmy Watkins: Keon Ellis also seems pretty excited to be in Cleveland. No, Della, look where they’re coming from. Dennis Shooter and Keone Ellis have been rescued. Rescued by Kobe Altman from basketball purgatory in Sacramento, where the Kings are. What do they have? 12 wins, 13 wins. There’s no plan. The roster makes zero sense. Dennis Shooter got his money and good for you. Very rarely, I think Dennis Schroeder knew what he was getting into when he signed with the Kings. That’s why he made them pay a little bit more than maybe some of the other teams were willing to do. But for starters, to go from such a losing team with no direction to a winning team with everything in front of it is a huge upgrade. Coupled with that, the dysfunction that the Kings entail. And Dennis Shooter was under contract for multiple years. I mean, the outlook on his career just flipped one a Same with Keon Ellis. Both of these dudes have golden opportunities to improve their reputations within the league. I think they’re both already, you know, decently well thought of throughout the league. Dennis Shooter, for everything I just said about him, about him taking too many mid Rangers every now and again, he’s a dude that can create his own shot and create for others in the NBA. That’s not a skill to be trifled with. Right. He’s a guy who at times has been able to rise to the moment in big moments. I think he’s been on two or three teams that have advanced around in the playoffs, but he’s, he’s contributing to real deal winning basketball and in fiba. That dude is different when he plays for Germany. Oh, my God, he’s been incredible on those stages. It’s harder to channel that energy when you’re not one of the main guys on a team. Like he is on his team in Germany, of course, but he, it’s certainly in there. He, he’s. And on defense, he’s a competitor. He’s still small. Keon Ellis is a competitive defensive player. He’s still underside. The idea that the Cavs are going to try him on the wing. Sure, go ahead, try. He’s got a six, eight and a half wingspan. I think I know how that’s going to go. But the idea that they’re just head over heels to become the Cleveland. I like Cleveland, too. But if you were, if I was in Sacramento and you pointed me to Siberia, I’d pay for my own tickets.
Ethan Sands: I think that’s fair. And again, you mentioned Dennis Schroeder being in Germany, being the MVP for the EuroBasket 2025, being able to win a gold medal, having experience in tough moments, I think that’s going to help this Cleveland Cavaliers team. But also, again, knowing his role, he cannot think that he’s going to be the number one guy that he was on that Germany team. I want to point this out because I think it’s fun. Before I get to my last thought on today’s podcast, Today was just an overall historic and great day for Cleveland as a whole.
Jimmy Watkins: 1.
Ethan Sands: Jarrett Allen, 40 ball career high again him making history with his stat line that I mentioned earlier. Craig Porter Jr. I mentioned the 12 assists, five steals, two blocks. He’s the first player since 1993 to record 10 assists, five steals and two blocks off the bench in a game. Craig Porter Jr. Is 6 foot 1, 6 foot 2 at best. That is a guy that you would want to keep on this roster. I think it would be a mistake if the Cavs moved off of him, but we’ll wait and sees what they actually do. The other portion of this is Tristan Nanaruna, a Cleveland State graduate, just got his NBA debut and first bucket in the league in tonight’s win. And then the cherry on top might have came before the game even began. Donovan Mitchell announced as an All Star reserve his seventh All Star appearance in his nine year career. And there’s potential for Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, to give Donovan Mitchell a bump to be a starter in the All Star Game because Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with a cav injury. That also would lead the way for a potential for Donovan Mitchell, who has played for the Team USA feeble World cup team in 2019 to also represent Team World and represent his Panamanian roots, which I think would be really cool. That’s an aspect that Donovan Mitchell has talked about wanting to do even though he has ties to Team usa. All these things we’ve already talked on this podcast about. Donovan Mitchell should have been a starter from the jump. What do you think it would mean, Jimmy, to see Donovan in his seventh All Star Game in the first time that this game is being Team World versus Team usa to kind of flip his head a little bit and be with Team World and get the nod from Adam Silver to be a starter in this contest?
Jimmy Watkins: I mean, I think it’d be really cool for Donovan and bring him closer to his, closer to his heritage. I think that’d be really cool for him. I think he’s earned it. That being said, I still think that starter versus non starter in the All Star Game. It’s a status thing among the guys. I personally, I consider myself, you know, the 90th percentile of basketball. Carer I care a lot about basketball. I care a lot about the NBA and the stats beyond it being my job too. Like I care about these things. I couldn’t name all 10 starters from last year’s All Star Game. It doesn’t really matter. He’s an all star, he should have been a starter. But in a world where the difference, again, I’m talking about defining legacies here. For Donovan’s personal legacy, him representing two team World as someone with Panamanian heritage. Awesome. Huge. For his family, something that his family might never forget. For his basketball legacy, for his career. It’s only going to say he was selected. I have yet to find. I know you can find the ballots. If you look for the ballots in the places where we count what you’ve done, we look for your accolades, where we try to measure you up against history. They don’t count the All Star starter selections in part because it’s a silly process and fans have half the vote. I love basketball fans. I love the idea that they get to have a voice in this. By the way, players take it probably the least serious of anyone in the voting process. Right. Like, I’m trying to remember the exact number, but it was an incredible number of different players who got votes for the All Star Game this year on the player ballots. Let’s just say that not every name among them were All Star caliber players. I’ll. I’ll put that nicely. Donovan, just based on merit, should be bumped to starter, frankly, whether it’s for the world or for the US But I’m happy for him that he’s an All Star. That’s all that matters. That’s all history will remember, is that he was an All Star this year.
Ethan Sands: There’s a lot of semantics when it comes to the Team World versus Team usa, because it’s going to be around Robin. It’s going to be three different teams. Two usa, one World, all this other stuff. I just think because Giannis would have been on Team World representing Green, it would be cool for Donovan Mitchell to then get that nod. Not only because he’s in the Eastern Conference, but because he has Panamanian heritage. And it would just be a one for one off. And I think that would make the most sense. Sure, you can maybe look at guys like Karl Anthony Townes or Pascal Siakam, but I genuinely think Donovan Mitchell, based on merit, based on what his heritage means to him, him traveling back to Panama for camps during the summer, all of these things, it makes the most sense. But the most important conversation we had on today’s podcast was the Cleveland Cavaliers coming away with another win. They head to Los Angeles to play the Clippers on Wednesday. And before that game, they will be united with Keone Ellis, Dennis Schroeder, some front office gurus when it comes to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And it will be a fun reunion for Dennis Schroeder and Keddy Jackson, who spent time together with the Atlanta Hawks. So before then, and with all that being said, that’ll wrap up today’s episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. But remember to become a Cavs insider and interact with Chris, me and Jimmy by subscribing to Subtext. Sign up for a 14 day free trial or visit cleveland.comcavs and click on the blue bar at the top of the page. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. All you have to do is text the word stop. It’s easy, but we can tell you. Let the people who sign up stick around because this is the best way to get insider coverage on the Cavs from me, Chris and Jimmy. This isn’t just our podcast, it’s your podcast. And the only way to have your voice heard is through some text. Y’ all be safe. We out.