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![Cleveland Cavaliers forward Taurean Prince (12) shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Moses Brown (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Oklahoma City. [Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/04/09/NABJ/960fa518-05b1-4efc-a9f4-97902412099c-AP21099081171457.jpeg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Taurean Prince’s positivity in discussing his transition to the Cavaliers implied a component of shock.
That’s not sudden after he went from an NBA championship contender within the Brooklyn Nets to a staff in full rebuilding mode within the Jan. 14 James Harden commerce.
However because the 27-year-old ahead improves bodily after coping with ankle and shoulder accidents, he raves about Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the close-knit group that has embraced him.
The five-year veteran has discovered his place, discovered his position and located a staff that wants his path.
“I feel it’s huge, particularly being traded right here in the course of the season, having the teaching employees and the gamers embrace me,” Prince mentioned after a 129-102 highway victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder Thursday. “It allowed me to be myself on and off the courtroom. I feel that’s all you possibly can ask for, one as a human being and two as knowledgeable athlete attempting to proceed to develop on this sport that all of us like to play.
“I give all of the credit score to the Cavs to permit me to return in and play basketball the best way I do know I can, and I’m glad it’s serving to the staff.”
In 22 video games and 6 begins with the Cavs, Prince has averaged 9.6 factors, 4.0 rebounds and a pair of.6 assists in 24 minutes. Thursday was his fifth sport again after lacking 10 with a sprained left shoulder, and he scored a season-high 22 factors with six assists, three rebounds and a steal in 28 minutes.
The Cavs (19-32) are 2-1 prior to now three video games, and Prince has offered a set off the bench, averaging 18.3 factors, 5.3 rebounds and three.7 assists. In that span, he’s shot .514 from the sphere, .466 from lengthy vary and .833 from the free-throw line.
“He is been superior. I used to be speaking about that with Delly tonight,” five-time All-Star ahead Kevin Love mentioned, referring to protect Matthew Dellavedova. “[Prince] had a pair little nagging issues happening, however he is been in a position to get again and he is actually in a rhythm.”
Simply as placing is what Prince has instructed Love about his appreciation for the Cavs.
“He is been speaking about that is the primary staff that he is been on … the place he is like, ‘Man, I am not simply standing within the nook, I am actually transferring off the ball and having the ability to get to my spots and I am able to extra,’” Love mentioned.
“That is what we love about this staff. Guys are getting the perfect out of one another and we imagine in each other. Taurean, the sport’s been slowing down for him and he can actually shoot the ball. He is been tremendous aggressive and we love that from him.”
Prince spent three seasons in Atlanta earlier than being traded to Brooklyn in July 2019. He’s seen loads of ups and downs throughout his profession.
“Attempting to use what I do know I can do. It’s extra so going on the market and proving quite a bit to myself each single evening,” Prince mentioned. “I do know guys with households can relate, going on the market and enjoying for them after which additionally an amazing group of fellows within the locker room.
“I simply attempt to deliver no matter to the desk, whether or not it’s rebounding, defending 1 by way of 5 if wanted, 3-point, slashing, no matter it takes to win the ballgame.”
A number of younger Cavs have talked about Prince’s management this season. The Cavs suffered by way of 10- and five-game dropping streaks after he arrived, however he mentioned the staff has caught collectively regardless of pandemic restrictions.
“Clearly COVID limits loads of issues … I’m certain guys like Kevin Love, myself would type of create a scenario the place we may all be collectively off the courtroom,” Prince mentioned. “However we do an excellent job all getting our meals, consuming collectively, doing sure issues and all the time speaking to one another on the planes. We keep related it doesn’t matter what.
“That’s an enormous factor once you’re going by way of ups and downs so far as dropping video games and accidents. Staying collectively is all the time most vital, and I feel we’ve finished an amazing job doing that.”
Prince credited Bickerstaff, saying he’s “most likely probably the greatest coaches I’ve had within the NBA, his management abilities are very top-notch.”
“It is simply how he holds everyone accountable high to backside. Doesn’t care about who you might be, the way you’re doing sure issues,” Prince mentioned. “That is all you possibly can actually ask for as a result of that means that you can achieve the respect of lots of people. And it really works.
“After which guys are humble right here. They present loads of humility. Kevin Love for certain. So it is simply all about being collectively and simply taking teaching and proceed to be taught and proceed to get higher collectively.”
Prince has one other season remaining on his Nets’ contract and Bickerstaff mentioned he loves the “punch” Prince has given the Cavs.
“He’s a man who doesn’t want the ball in his palms quite a bit to attain, he is received shot-making capability, he strikes properly with out the ball, he can slash and get to the basket and he’s a flexible defender as properly,” Bickerstaff mentioned Thursday.
“He’s a man who our guys belief that he could make the play. And that capability to catch and shoot off of screens, forcing defenses to need to shift and chase him, that finally ends up resulting in straightforward alternatives for different guys as properly.”
Guard Collin Sexton referred to that belief after the victory over the Thunder.
“With him bringing that set off the bench and being prepared always, we’re gonna want that, particularly if we will’t get it going early,” Sexton mentioned. “We all know he’s going to return in able to go for us. It positively feels good to have him again from harm.”
Prince mentioned he’s nonetheless coping with a nagging ankle difficulty that isn’t “tremendous critical.” A sore left ankle price him 5 video games in February and early March. He mentioned his shoulder is okay, that he’s “greater than previous that.”
He was extra involved with the Cavs’ subsequent sport and qualifying for the East Convention play-in match for seeds 7-10. The Cavs are scheduled to conclude the common season Might 16 at Brooklyn.
“We’ve a month and a half [to] attempt to get to those playoffs,” Prince mentioned.
Marla Ridenour could be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Learn extra in regards to the Cavs at www.beaconjournal.com/cavs. Observe her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.
New Orleans at Cleveland
Time: 7 p.m. Sunday
TV: Bally Sports activities Ohio
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