Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Defense is the name of the game for Carrick Felix. But that’s what the Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping he’ll bring to the basketball court with them this season. Felix was picked by the Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA draft and the selection raised some eyebrows. But the team liked what they saw of Felix at Arizona State and in the summer so they signed him to a contract in August. He’ll be a swingman for them at 6-foot-6 but it’s his defensive skills that are extremely attractive.
He may not start but the Cavaliers, being a young squad, are likely to use him a lot. When it came to action in the Las Vegas Summer League, Felix had some outstanding defensive performances while averaging 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. He shot 40% from the floor and did enough stuff to make coach Mike Brown impressed to have the Cavs sign him to a contract.
He was the 33rd pick, but at age 23, Felix really could have been that surprise of a pick. He had 14.6 points and 8.1 rebounds a game for ASU last season while shooting 56.9% from the floor in 35.3 minutes a game.
He was on the PAC 12 all-conference team and all-defensive squad. It’s his defense that will give him plenty of playing time from Brown and he could help the Cavaliers win some games in the final seconds with key stops on the opposing offenses.
When the 2013-14 season comes to a close, don’t be surprised if the Cavaliers look back and smile at the decision to stun the rest of the league while selecting Felix.
John Raffel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnCarlRaffel, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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