Cleveland Cavaliers: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18
Weakness No. 3: Backcourt is still limited defensively
The Cleveland Cavaliers gave Kyrie Irving his wish by trading him to the Celtics, but in return, they’re still limited defensively in the backcourt. They have Isaiah Thomas, but he’s an even worse defender and with his status yet to be determined, he won’t be mentioned much after this.
They’ve got Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith but they’re not top-notch defenders. Shumpert’s reputation as a defender has soured since his time in Cleveland. He played sparingly against the Warriors in their last NBA Finals matchup.
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Smith is a solid 3-point shooter and an average defender, but his numbers dropped significantly last season after he missed a good number of games with a broken thumb injury.
He averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a steal per game in 41 appearances, but the playoffs were his saving grace, as he shot 50 percent from 3-point lane in the postseason.
Behind Shumpert and Smith, there’s 36-year-old Kyle Korver. He’s a knockdown 3-point shooter but defensively, he’s another liability.
The signing of point guard Jose Calderon was an early head-scratcher for the Cleveland Cavaliers. At 35 years old, Calderon appeared in 41 total games last season with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers.
He averaged 3.4 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game last season. At best, he serves as a veteran locker room presence.
The signing of Derrick Rose gives them a strong leader to have for their second unit, but Rose leaves a lot to be desired defensively. Things could change in 2017-18, but until then, the Cavaliers’ backcourt defense is still one of its biggest weaknesses.