What we learned from the Wine and Gold Scrimmage

Oct 1, 2012; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) horses around during media day at the Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The Cleveland Cavaliers played their annual inter squad scrimmage this past Saturday and Team Gold beat Team Wine 54-44. The game was very sloppy offensively, as Team Gold shot forty percent from the field, while Team Wine shot an even lower thirty-three percent.  Besides that the Cavs need work on offensively, here are five other things we learned about the 2012 edition of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

1. It starts and ends with Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is, without a doubt, the best player currently on the Cavaliers roster. He lead all players with thirteen points, although it was on 5-13 shooting. He simply quicker, smarter, and better than anyone that was on the court Saturday. He is a game changer, and even though he is still not 100% healthy, he still stood out above the crowd.

2. Dion Waiters looks uncomfortable

The one positive outcome of Waiters performance with that he got some solid time on the floor with Irving. Other than that, he looked a bit uncomfortable. He did score twelve points, but when he wasn’t driving to rim, his offensive was simply ugly. He is going to get to the rim – let’s just see if he can get comfortable and prove himself worthy of the #4 overall pick.

3. Luke Walton may be a keeper

Currently the Cavaliers oldest player, Walton was largely a forgotten man and many thought he would be cut.  But he played solid in the scrimmage, and Coach Byron Scott was highly complimentary of Walton. He is making $6.1 million this season, so we don’t know 100% that he will be on the roster, but there is at least a conversation to be had.

4. Jeremy Pargo > Donald Sloan

In a race to be Kyrie Irving’s backup, Pargo outplayed Sloan. He looked fresh, scored, and only had one turnover. Sloan was hard to notice, and the game could not have helped his stock. Pargo may have taken the lead in the race to be Kyrie’s backup with that performance. Odd enough, there was talk this week that he was going to be cut.  That talk will now be put on the self.

5. C.J. Miles > Alonzo Gee

C.J. Miles looked awesome on Saturday.  He was active throughout, scored nine points, and also had some good passes. When you compare him head to head with Gee, his stands out even more. Gee was scoreless , and like Donald Sloan, was someone you largely forgot about unless you were looking for him. If those two are competing to start at the three position, then as of right now, Miles has the clear edge over Gee.

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The Cavaliers will open their preseason slate against Montepaschi Sienna at Quicken Loans Arena Monday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Something to take note of, but not to look too hard on, is that C.J. Miles will be starting at shooting guard tonight over Dion Waiters. Simply put, this is most likely coach Scott’s way of showing Waiters that he will not be handed the starting role and will have to prove himself worthy.