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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 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) goes up for a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Defense

Under head coach David Blatt, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the NBA’s fifth ranked defense, holding opponents to 99.7 points per 100 possessions — despite the early absence of wing defender Iman Shumpert. Since Tyronn Lue took over in late January, the Cavs rank 14in in D-rating, giving up 105.5 points per 100 possessions.

To be fair, Cleveland has been better on the offensive end during Lue’s tenure, increasing their offensive rating from 105.6 points per 100 possessions under Blatt to 111.1. But the Cavs’ net rating was 0.3 points per 100 possessions higher under Blatt, which adds up over the course of a full season. For all the team’s early frustrations, they certainly weren’t dropping games like they have been lately.

On Mar. 7, there was that horribly disappointing loss to a severely shorthanded Grizzlies team. A week later the Cavs scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in Utah and were outscored 16-2 midway through the period to lose by nine. Less than a week later, they got smacked down by LeBron’s old team in Miami, and three games after that, they lost to the freaking Brooklyn Nets.

The culprit in those games wasn’t always the defense, but once the playoffs come and the defenses grind things to a halt, the Cavs will have to be able to rely on their D to get stops the way they did under Blatt — especially if their stars continue to brick all their three-pointers.

Next: No. 1

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