Cedi Osman Discusses Biggest Surprise About Playing for Cavs

During the rookie season of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman, he showed some positive signs that he would develop into a solid NBA performer. Along the way, he discovered some surprises, most notably the enthusiasm of the Cavaliers’ fan base.

Osman appeared earlier this year on CavsHQ, the team’s flagship show on their local radio affiliate WTAM. He was asked (at approximately the 21:50 mark) by the show’s co-host Rafa Hernandez Brito about his biggest surprise since joining the team.

“Probably the fans,” Osman said. “Fans are incredible here, how they support the team, like every night. Same instinct, they’re supporting us every time. If you’re back 10 points, 15 points, we are up 10, 15 points, it doesn’t matter, they’re always there. Especially in those last moments, like last couple minutes of the game. They getting hot and that makes us really good, and that’s what I feel because I like to play in front of the fans and they make me play better.”

During his rookie campaign, Osman averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 61 regular season games and started 12 of those contests as a result of injury issues with the team. Those averages dipped during the postseason, largely because Osman’s entire playing time during this stretch consisted of 62 minutes over 14 games.

Osman figures to see much more action during his second year after the departure of LeBron James. A number of projected starting lineups for the Cavs have him penciled in to move into James’ spot, which could shine a brighter spotlight on his progress throughout the year. One thing seems certain: Those statistical numbers need to improve considerably as the team begins the post-LeBron era once again.