In this blog I will be interviewing a former Division II collegiate athlete / former basketball player for the Ashland Eagles at Ashland University, Drew Noble. We will get his inside take on the Cavalier's season, injuries, current playoff thoughts, and much more in the world of the NBA and the Cavaliers.
Allen Iverson, A.I., The Answer, one of the greatest point guards of all time, and one of my favorite players of all time!
"We talkin about practice, man"- Allen Iverson. One of the most iconic NBA, and overall sports quotes of all time!
Exclusive Cavs Insider Interview
This week I sat down with a great friend of mine Mr. Drew Noble. Before I get into the nitty gritty of our Cavs questions here is just a little more info and credibility on Drew! Drew is a lifetime Cleveland sports and Cavaliers fan. He grew up in Louisville, OH, playing for the Leopards high school basketball team. After four successful years at Louisville, Drew accepted a scholarship to play at Ashland over many Division I schools that had offers on the table (including an offer from Akron). During his four year stint at Ashland University, Drew has accomplished many feats including: 2x 1st Team All GLIAC Conference, 1st Team All Defense, Preseason 1st Team All American, GLIAC Conference Preseason Player of the Year, 2x All district, 2x All Academic District/ Region, Student Athlete of the Year, 2nd all time in game played at the university, 11th in total scoring in school history, and 5th in total rebounds in school history. He is quite a decorated athlete and individual. Drew displays some of the best knowledge for the game of basketball than anyone I know, and it is a pleasure to pick his brain on the state of the Cavaliers.
Q & A with Drew Noble
I had the opportunity to sit down with my close friend Drew Noble and ask him some of his thoughts on the Cavaliers this season. Here is what he had to say on the matter:
Have you been watching/ keeping up with the Cavs this season?
-Yes, I have been following the season pretty closely. I watch the games when I can but mostly I follow the scores on my phone and check the box scores after the game.
What are your overall thoughts and reactions regarding this season and our success?
-I would say that this season for the Cavs as a whole has been a pleasant surprise. After a tough season last year and a top three draft pick, the expectations for such a young inexperienced team was very low. However, a hot start anchored by good team defense and breakout performances from a lot of the young guys turned the upstart Cavs into contenders. Granted injuries have slowed them down after the All-Star break but this seems to be a good young team that should be able to compete every night for the foreseeable future.
Do you think injuries played a role with how the back half of the season turned out?
-As previously stated I think that injuries have been a big factor for the recent struggles the Cavs have seen. But at the same time basketball is a game that changes from night to night and sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way some nights and it seems that lately the ball just hasn’t bounced the Cavs way with injuries being a big part of that.
What are your predictions for the playoffs/play-in tournament regarding the Cavs and their ranking for the 2022 playoffs?
-I think the playoffs will be tough for the Cavs. With just the way the last few weeks of the season have gone it would be hard to imagine then making it out of the play in game. The playoffs in basketball are a lot about who is playing the best ball at the right time and currently that is not the Cavs. They certainly have a few games left to turn it around and get something going but with the starting front court out with injuries I can’t see them winning a series if they do make it out of the play in.
What is your best/favorite Cavaliers memory this season?
-My favorite memory of the Cavs season would probably be all star weekend. To see the young core of the Cavs show out the way they did on a national stage in Cleveland was really great for the team and the city!
Cavaliers Update- Injuries and Post-Season News
The Cavaliers have been riddled with injuries throughout the entire season. What was once a promising, successful, and fun start to a season has slowly demised. Post All-Star break we have seen Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen, Rajon Rondo, Dean Wade, and now Rookie of the Year finalist Evan Mobley. To say this was an injury filled season would be an understatement. Since the departure of Allen, the Cavs have been almost dead last in defensive rating, previous being top five in the league. I am not trying to make excuses for the lackluster second half of the season but luck has not been in our favor. As every other team is ramping up getting healthy and boosting team chemistry, the Cavaliers have crumbled due to injuries. We are now at an outside looking in approach, sitting as the current 7th seed and in the play-in tournament. Despite all the injuries this was a successful season. The Cavs nearly tripled their preseason ranking of around 15-20 wins and astonished a lot of teams with our gritty and defensive plays. This ultimately got J.B. and Altman well deserved contract extensions for the future. Despite the rollercoaster of a season, the Cavs are still looking to make the playoffs and have a deep run with this young core. Cavs fans have a lot to look forward to and cheer on for the foreseeable future and upcoming seasons!
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