Eric Moreland's Second Week Of Action Leaves Cleveland Cavaliers Fans Wanting More
Eric Moreland, an affiliate player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, just finished his second week of action for the Canton Charge.
In his first week of action, Eric Moreland jumped off the page and burst onto the scene for the Canton Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers exclusive NBA D-League affiliate team. He was so good that he earned a start in the third game and essentially forms a NBA D-League Big Three with Chris Evans and Quinn Cook flanking him from either side.
In an interview with Josh Weir of the Canton Repository, Moreland said his focus is on being able to have energy he needs to be a high-motor player. It’s affecting his rebounds and blocked shots he says. Currently averaging 10.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, that’s both surprising and exciting information for a player who wants to be able to give his all on the court for the first time in a long time.
Armed with defensive playmaking capabilities few centers can boast of and showing flashes of offensive potential, Moreland is the type of player the Cleveland Cavaliers lack inside. By using his time in the NBA D-League as a training ground, Moreland should get his chance for a call-up as he shows that he’s completely healthy and able to a contribute to a team right away.
After an up-and-down week, Moreland out in a show in his final game of this write-up.
Nov 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Eric Moreland (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Kings 118-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Canton Charge Take On The Texas Legends
Against the Texas Legends, Moreland wasn’t the star of the show with Cook scoring a Canton Charge record 49 points. Nonetheless, on the Charge’s first possession the play was drawn up for him. Right back to his go-to move, Moreland backed his man down before a turnaround jump hook. He missed because he didn’t have his legs under him but rather than passing back out and setting himself up with a better base tl release his shot from, he rushed the shot. Although it’s apparent that he’ll make that shot more times than he misses, he shows his raw skill in this area as he’s successful but predictable. In the NBA, if a player can’t stop your best move then they simply can’t stop it and it doesn’t matter how predictable it is. Nonetheless, Moreland hasn’t been on the court for a lengthy time in two years and he’s simply behind on his offensive development, which shows.
On the other end, Moreland’s physical dominance showed why it’s important to take a chance on players even if they’ve found themselves battling against the wind on an uphill climb. After missing, Moreland’s long sweeping arms allowed him to gather a steal as he manned the paint on the other side of the court and running the length of the floor, Moreland put the ball on the floor and drove through the traffic in true guard-like fashion. He missed, again, but he showed flashes a being another New Age center.
After another turnover the Charge had the ball again and tried to find Moreland on a side pick-and-roll. Moreland’s burst got him to the rim and he tried a reverse dunk that led to a foul. While Moreland has struggled at the charity stripe he has a nice shooting form, although he could stand to bend his knees more on his release. Moreland, who often shoots the ball with a tad too much strength, could find himself shortening his arc with that change in his motion. That was the noticeable difference between the free throw he missed and the free throw he made.
This game, Moreland showed his cognizant as a passer with two early assists around the rim. Passing out of double-teams and crowds will be no problem for Moreland. As a matter of fact, like the Gasol brothers, Moreland could find himself making “bread in the basket” passes from the high-post soon if he keeps displaying an ability only held by centers who are esteemed passers.
It can’t be understated how impressive Moreland is defensively. His lanky frame, athleticism and awareness of where the ball is allows him to deter opponents from attacking the rim. His quick hands allow him to consistently swipe the ball away from an opposing player. In the league, those are transferable talents that will allow him to affect the course of the game. Offensively, his ability to put the ball on the floor or post-up will make him a mismatch for opposing frontcourt players.
Moreland finished the game with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. That’s not bad.
Canton Charge Fall To The Windy City Bulls
Against the Bulls, Moreland played his first game at power forward while Grant Jerrett started at center. However, on the first possession of the game, Bulls forward Paul Zipser drove hard to what looked like an open rim and was quickly met by Moreland. Zipser missed the lay-in. Unfortunately, Moreland (who could have been confused by Jarrett guarding forward J.J. Avila when he started off the game on 7-foot-1 center Alec Brown, allowed Brown to convert a rather easy look on an in-bounds pass. On the other end, Moreland tried to back down Brown but with the pass to him in the post taking so long to develop he didn’t have sufficient time to get off the shot. Back on offense, Moreland failed to meet Brown’s energy and allowed both an offensive rebound as he didn’t box out and a putback.
The next time down, Moreland attempted a long-two which was interesting for a few reasons. First, it showed his form on such attempts and his shooting motion is too jerky and short. Second, it showed that he’s willing to try it out which is good for a league that places an emphasis on floor-spacing.
While Moreland didn’t start strong against the Bulls, he picked up the pace after an and-1 early in the game, finishing in tight quarters through contact after putting the ball on the floor and driving against Brown. Fortunes did improve for Moreland when Brown was taken out of the game, leaving Moreland as the biggest player on the floor. However, looking fatigued and playing against a bigger center, Moreland had a game with more negatives than positives.
Moreland did finish the game with 11 points and 13 rebounds. However he wasn’t the defensive playmaker he usually is and had just 1 block and 1 assist as the Charge fell 96-94.
Canton Charge Take Down Erie City Bayhawks
That at all changes against the Erie Bayhawks as Moreland started center and started the game off with an assist to Jarett from halfcourt after corralling the jump ball from tip-off.
Moreland dominated the Bayhawks by showing that he’s not just an ambidextrous finisher but that he does have the cognizance and patience to do a drop step in the lane that gets him closer to the basket so that he can finish more efficiently. He even unleashed a floater from around the free-throw, an offensive move that will keep defenders from sagging off him and clogging the paint. In the second half, Moreland would hit a sweeping hook and a turnaround fadeaway jumper from about 20-feet out. His offensive spurt were flashes of the scorer he can become.
Moreland finished the game with 19 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while holding his man to 2 points. His 37 minutes were also the most of any game he’s played in thus far.
Nov 17, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Sir CC clowns around with assistant coach Phil Handy before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Moreland is more likely to earn a call-up opportunity after January 5, when teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. Nonetheless, Moreland should be well on his way to an NBA call-up. Averaging 12.7 points on 60.7 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds (3.7 offensive rebounds), 2.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while not completely having his wind is impressive.
So is his combination of size, mobility and ball-skills.
On a team where the depth behind the starting center consists of Channing Frye, who defensively lacks the mobility to be a replacement for Tristan Thompson and is more like Kevin Love is his offensive role, and 38-year-old Chris “Birdman” Andersen, the Cavs need a player like Moreland in case of injury and to spell Thompson in his role as a versatile Cavs defender. Offensively, Moreland can be the best low-post player outside of Love and LeBron James.
In yet another week, when Moreland’s occasional struggles are a relief because he doesn’t seem like he’s just on an inconceivable hot streak, the Canton Charge center has proven himself a fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What did you think if Eric Moreland’s performance with the Canton Charge this week? Do you think he’s a fit on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.
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