Through the first three preseason games, the 19-year-old Bates is averaging 12.7 points on 14 of 27 (51.9%) from the field and 9 of 20 (45%) from 3-point range. He has reached double figures in all three games and is the team’s preseason scoring leader.
A slender, score-first wing who can get buckets at all three levels, Bates has spent most of his early NBA days showing off a buttery shooting stroke and easy range — just like at Summer League when more than half of his shot attempts came from beyond the arc.
Being used primarily off the ball like this was years in the making. The last time he had a talented, natural point guard who could handle, create, initiate and alleviate some of the ballhandling burden was eighth grade, before the ballyhooed Bates was ever thrust into the national spotlight and before a turbulent college odyssey nearly wrecked his NBA dreams.
“There was a lot of people that got picked before me that in my opinion shouldn’t have,” Bates said. “But I don’t really pay attention to that. My focus is coming in here every day and trying to get better and get as many wins as we can.” He’s happy again. He’s free from the grandiose expectations. He doesn’t need to live up to a specific draft slot or recruiting ranking. There’s no pressure. No rush.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why ‘Best in the World’ matters to the Browns; Are the Guardians the best open manager job? Terry’s Talkin’ pOn this week's pod, Terry Pluto and David Campbell get into the dominant Browns defense, plus, what are the Cavs' intentions with rookie Emoni Bates? And we read some more listener emails about where they're from and why they love Cleveland sports.
Read more »
American ice dancers Chock and Bates, still without Olympic medal, embark on new seasonAmerican ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are still without the Olympic medal they earned at the Beijing Games. The medal from the team event has been tied up thanks to a slow-moving Russian doping investigation which has now been appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
Read more »
Will any Cavs starters play in third preseason game Monday night?The Cavs face Israeli team Maccabi Ra’Anana in Monday night’s third preseason game.
Read more »
Cavs’ rotation and big-picture plan taking shape heading into regular season dress rehearsalAs for Monday -- Cleveland’s third exhibition against Maccabi Ra’Anana that was about much more than basketball given the tragic events currently taking place in Israel -- the on-court focus became the Cavs’ others.
Read more »
Cavs’ preseason game with Israel’s Maccabi Ra’anana about more than basketball, following Hamas terror attackMonday night was the second stop on a three-game exhibition tour through the United States for Maccabi Ra'anana -- a draining two-week trip that concludes against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Read more »
'You wanna have fun but it's really secondary': Maccabi Ra'anana set to take on Cavs amid Israel-Hamas warMaccabi Ra'anana is in the United States for a three-game NBA preseason tour. As war breaks out in Israel, the team prepares to face the Cavaliers with the goal of providing hope.
Read more »