Cleveland Cavaliers: Defense Still An Issue In Loss
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their third game in a row, falling to the Detroit Pistons, 106-101. In all the losses, defense was an issue. Will the team learn to consistently play it?
It has already been a tough March for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The loss on Thursday to the Detroit Pistons was their third loss in a row, the second three-game losing streak they’ve had this season. It isn’t time to panic, but there is cause for concern.
Defensively this season, the Cavaliers have been atrocious. They’ve shown little interest in defending the opposing team and it’s cost them a lot of games.
Fans always have this belief that a team will change its ways in the postseason. That just isn’t true. Whatever issues a team has now, they can easily linger into the playoffs — if they are not resolved.
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For most of the season, besides a few games, the Cavs have failed to play individual or complete team defense. Opposing offenses have wide-open three-point attempts and open lanes for dribble penetration.
The Cavs are obviously lacking a rim protector since Andrew Bogut went down, but there is no excuse for letting any player just come through the lane and get an easy score.
Cleveland Cavaliers
For example, in the game Thursday night, LeBron James was guarding Stanley Johnson on the elbow and instead of just putting a hand up, he let Johnson sink the jumper without any pressure.
A simple hand being up could have changed that whole shot sequence, but he was too lazy to do it.
Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye had no interest in boxing out Andre Drummond at all. Any defensive or offensive rebounds he wanted, he got it with ease. Thompson is one of the best rebounders in the NBA and he can’t allow that to happen.
The Cavs had a 15-point lead going into the second quarter. However, once coach Tyronn Lue brought in the second unit, the Pistons made their run and went up by nine. Why the sudden surge? Nobody played defense.
Ish Smith, all of 6-feet, single-handedly came into the game in the second and changed the pace of the game for Detroit.
He got anything he wanted inside the paint with no pressure at all.
We’re not talking about Isaiah Thomas or Allen Iverson, we’re talking about Ish Smith, man. Deron Williams isn’t known for his defense, but that was just bad. So far, he hasn’t been the player I thought he would be.
I know it’s early and he’s still adapting to the team, but it’s time to see that playmaking ability consistently. We all know he’s capable of it.
Iman Shumpert was supposed to be the 3-and-D on the team, but he’s been shooting the ball more than playing the solid wing defense he’s known for. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was able to get anything he wanted in the second half.
That should change once J.R. Smith gets a few more games under him and regains his starting spot.
Everybody in the NBA knows this team can score. According to ESPN.com, they are ranked third in the NBA in scoring at 110.8 points per game. Defensively, they are ranked 23rd in the league allowing 106. 5 points per game.
That’s terrible.
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That number could increase as the rest of the season goes on. It’s like watching an old-school ABA game with this team at times.
Mike D’Antoni on line one.
The Cavs have way too much talent for every single game to be a challenge–especially against mediocre teams. Every now and again, a bad team will put up a fight, but they should dominate for a vast majority of them. What is the main issue? Defense.
James is also proving again why he should be atop the MVP rankings. The Cavaliers are 4-20 when he doesn’t play and even when he does, they still struggle without him on the floor.
ESPN Stats and Info reported that In the last two games, the Cavaliers have been outscored by opposing teams 64-19 when he’s on the bench.
The Cavaliers have been outscored 64-19 over the last 2 games in the 18 minutes in which LeBron James has been on the bench.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 10, 2017
This talented Cavs team can’t find the basket without James out there. It’s been an issue since he’s been back.
It’s also apparent that they miss the rebounding and floor spacing by Kevin Love. If Thompson wasn’t able to get the extra possession, Love would.
His versatility always keeps the defense honest and they never know if he’s going to the perimeter or drive to the basket with the pick-and-roll/pop. It has been severely missed and unfortunately, neither Richard Jefferson nor Frye havet done much to help the issue.
The Cavaliers face the lowly 24-41 Orlando Magic on Saturday at the Amway Center. Most would think the game is a win for Cleveland, but lack of defense can change any outcome.
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Nobody fears this Cavs team right now. Everybody is giving them their best shot and they are proving they can’t take it, even as the defending champions. Something needs to change soon on the defensive end or it will get worse.