Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) - Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff says his team's performance on Day 2 of group workouts was better than Day 1.
"Yesterday, guys were playing hard, and they were getting after it," said Bickerstaff in a presser Saturday, "but it really wasn't purposeful. Today, it was more purposeful, with the same effort, the level of competition there were playing with, and you definitely saw that improvement."
The Cavs scrimmaged Saturday without JaVale McGee, Kevin Porter Jr., Matt Mooney, and Levi Randolph, but "rookie" Dylan Windler took part in team activities today.
Windler, who missed all of the 2019-20 season due to complications from a left leg stress fracture, spoke to the press today for the first time. During the presser, the former Belmont Bruin talked about what he was able to learn during the last year, despite not being able to play.
"I got to watch every game, get a little more comfortable with what we're doing....I'm just hoping to bring a winning mentality."
"I'm just happy to be here, playing the game I love to play again."
Another new name for the Cavaliers, Damyean Dotson, also practiced on Saturday. Dotson, who signed a two-year deal with the Cavs last week after spending the past three seasons with the Knicks, talked about what he could bring to Cleveland in his fourth NBA campaign.
"On both ends of the floor, a little experience, toughness...my voice. Just trying to be coach on the floor with 'em."
Dotson also went into how quick his turnaround was from signing with the Cavs, to making it to team practice.
"I think I signed on, like, Tuesday and had to be here by Friday. Was pretty quick. Had to tell my parents and everybody I was leaving Friday and I think Thanksgiving was Thursday, so it was like a great last supper."
Winder and Dotson look to make an impact as the Cavaliers enter the 2020-21 season, which starts on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
