The Rising Star of Jaylon Tyson
On a night where emotions ran high, and the environment felt like a playoff game in Downtown Cleveland. LeBron James' triumphant homecoming for what could be the last time didn't cap off one of the most anticipated nights of the year at Rocket Arena; it was by the other small forward across from the King in Jaylon Tyson. The 6'6 forward out of Allen, Texas, has had a meteoric rise over the course of the season, going from the 20th pick, who many hoped could be a helpful bench piece at minimum, to now one of the Cavs' most impactful players. Tyson is averaging 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Even the most sycophantic optimist of Tyson couldn't have imagined him turning in a top 5 season in 3-point efficiency at 46% on four attempts per game. If it were just the scoring, cool, excellent, it's already a hit on a crucial draft pick for a team deep in the second apron, but it's everything else that should get fans excited.
The one thing that sticks out if you have seen Tyson play regularly is the fearlessness. The same guy who is lighting the net on fire with deep threes is the same one who flies in for offensive rebounds, willing to be a pest on defense, even against his idol in LeBron. He's the same guy who'll draw two huge charges pointing down court like he gained a huge first down in celebration against the LA Lakers on Wednesday night.
That endless motor has provided another wrinkle in a team desperate for those willing to do the dirty work. These were already traits he exhibited in his rookie season, but they are now more fleshed out while paired with the growing prowess in the short roll. In this recent stretch, specifically with Donovan Mitchell, the de facto point guard due to Darius Garland's injury, being blitzed and double-teamed at the top of the key, and the growing trust in their two-man game has paid in spades. Tyson is money in the floater range, converting those at a blistering 53.4% in the paint, along with providing playmaking, dishing out 4+ assists in 7 straight games to help bolster a team needing playmaking in Garland's absence. It doesn't feel hyperbolic to say the Cavs would be lost at sea at times this season if not for his emergence.
If I had it my way, there is a compelling enough case for him to be in the conversation for the Most Improved Player Award. I don't think he'll win the honor, which will probably go to Deni Avdija, but what he has done is what the spirit of the award is supposed to highlight. The player who last year pretty much rode the bench and got limited playing time his rookie year, appearing primarily in garbage time on a 64-win Cavs team as mostly a promising afterthought, spent endless hours in the gym at Cleveland Clinic Courts to become what he is now. His counting stats are tenfold, while being extremely efficient from the field, and he provides a tangible impact on almost every aspect of the game that helps to lead to winning. If that doesn't say "Most Improved Player" to you, then I don't know what will.