Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 obstacles to contending in 2017-18

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

3. Defense

The Cavaliers finished the 2016-17 season with the 22nd-ranked defense in the league. That was worse than the offensive-minded Portland Trail Blazers. Specifically, the team was dead last in steals and near the bottom in blocked shots. It was a defense that struggled to force turnovers with an offense that excelled in transition.

So let’s start there, Cleveland. Speed up the hands and be more aggressive. Jump passing lanes and take more chances. Crowder averaged a steal per game last year. Wade paced Chicago with nearly a steal and a half. Both should be solid additions to a defense that must play faster.

Despite an obvious dip in offensive production, here is why Wade is a still a defensive hawk.

His ability to change games defensively will be more valuable than his ability to score 14 points a night as a role player.

And then there’s the second conversation: How does the team improve defensively against the Golden State Warriors? In the Finals, the Warriors’ backcourt dominated Cleveland’s, with Stephen Curry nearly averaging a triple-double.

If anything, Thomas is a downgrade from Irving. Rose is defensively porous as well. But Wade still can compete defensively when it matters, and Crowder adds a second player who can match up with Kevin Durant. So hopefully, the Cavaliers’ defense is less of a question mark in the postseason this year than last.