Cleveland Cavaliers: What Must Change Under Tyronn Lue?

3. Pace

According to ESPN, the Cleveland Cavaliers play at the third-slowest pace in the NBA. That approach can work for teams, but one quick glance at Cleveland’s roster suggests that it should be moving at a faster tempo.

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, head coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged as much after the Cavaliers’ January 23 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

"Tyronn Lue says guys got tired tonight because they weren’t in “the type of shape they need to be in” to play faster, which is the “vision” for his team. Thinks it could take a couple weeks of extra conditioning to get them where they need to be."

It’s concerning that players aren’t in game shape in late January, but Cleveland didn’t hit its stride until this point last season, either.

LeBron James is one, if not the very best open court players in the NBA; while still effective in the half court, his elite athleticism and playmaking ability are both limited in such an offense. Kyrie Irving is a dynamic dribble-penetrator, but his transition jump shot is often the fuel to his offensive game in its entirety.

In other words, the Cavaliers’ two most prominent playmakers are at their best in the open court. Other players, including J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson, are athletic enough to run in transition with their star teammates.

This isn’t to suggest that Cleveland must pull a Mike D’Antoni, but it cannot continue to live in the half court.

Next: Understanding the Personnel, Part II