Following Monday morning’s practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts, newly-acquired shooting guard Rodney Hood explained how he’s fitting in with the Cavaliers.
As most hoops fans know by now, Hood, 25, came to the Cavs by way of their blockbuster trade deadline moves. In what could be described as a roster overhaul, Cleveland parted ways with six players. In return, the team received four new faces, including Hood, who was a member of the Utah Jazz.
Hood has made an instant impact on the Cavs’ rotation. To be frank, the man is a silent assassin at range. Opposing sides know they can’t leave him open, lest they pay the price. The former 23rd overall pick (2014) has played in five games off the bench with his new team, averaging 10.6 points on 44.4 percent shooting from the field and beyond the arc, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steal.
“I’m trying to bring energy,” Hood said after Monday’s practice. “I’m trying to learn a lot on the fly, but (I’m) just bringing energy, playing defense and things like that. I think I just gotta find myself — how I fit with the other guys. We’re still trying to figure that out, especially with that second unit. You know, how guys fit with each other, how we’re gonna play with each other. So from that perspective, I’ve got a little ways to go.
“Just bringing energy and playing hard,” Hood said in closing. “I think I’ve been doing a good job (with that).”
Hood and the Cavs, now the 3rd-ranked team in the Eastern Conference standings with a 35-24 overall record, will be back in action on Tuesday night, as they’re scheduled to host the Brooklyn Nets. Tip-off inside Quicken Loans Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. EST with FOX Sports Ohio and the YES Network having live broadcast coverage.
