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What’s Wrong With LeBron James And The Cleveland Cavaliers?

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 18, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts against the Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 99-98. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. What The Cavs Need Now…Is Love, Sweet Love

It has been truly baffling to see the way the Cavaliers have used Kevin Love over these last two seasons. Remember the double-double machine who averaged a 26-13-4 for the Minnesota Timberwolves just two years ago, shooting an efficient 37.6 percent from three-point range as the team’s stretch-4? He’s been nowhere near that player in Cleveland.

Of course, a decrease in individual numbers is always to be expected whenever a new LeBron James super-team is formed, but Love’s 15.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game on 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.2 percent shooting from long range are even lower than his numbers from last season, when he was almost universally labeled as a disappointment.

But it’s not just that Love has underwhelmed individually, it’s that he’s been used ineffectively. He wasn’t empowered from Day 1, he’s had to deal with all this “overrated” talk and all these “fit in” subtext messages fired at him under the guise of “leadership.” Maybe give one of the most power forwards in the league the rock a little more and let him do what he does best?

Love is a woeful defender, and that’s not going to change no matter how much responsibility Cleveland entrusts him with on the offensive end. But in games where Love has taken at least 15 field goal attempts, the Cavs are 16-6 (.727), as opposed to 35-15 otherwise (.700). When he’s taken at least 16 shots, the Cavs are 12-4 (.750), as opposed to 39-17 otherwise (.696).

He’s only getting 4.1 post touches per game — fewer than less efficient post scorers like Nikola Vucevic and Taj Gibson. He’s been getting plenty of elbow touches, but between his own lack of confidence and his clunky fit within Cleveland’s top tier offense, this hasn’t been the elite union so many people envisioned.

With Kyrie Irving struggling the way he has since his return, it might be time to put the ball in Love’s hands more often, whether it’s as a stretch-4 or in a more traditional way like feeding him on the block and letting him put those passing skills to good use.

Next: No. 3

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