Here is the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers’ biggest problem
By Ryan Piers
As the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season begins to spiral out of control, the team must look for answers. Here is their biggest problem.
The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ season is snowballing out of control in a way few predicted. After a 32-point drumming at the hands of the Houston Rockets, Cleveland has now lost nine of 15 games since the calendar turned to 2018.
Cleveland is struggling against real talent, with a 12-14 record against squads above .500. A train wreck defensively, the Cavs defensive rating is 28th out the 30 teams.
Kevin Love could be out until April with a hand injury. LeBron James looks fatigued and most of the team is underperforming. Forget catching Boston. Right now the Cavs just hope they have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s been a disastrous couple of weeks for Cleveland, but the team’s most striking problem isn’t mentioned in that laundry list of concerns.
Grimly, the players don’t like playing with each other.
James is known for being open with the media. He’s candidly called out teammates in the past, whether sincere or just as a form of motivation. But his comments following the loss to the Rockets appeared different.
James seemed exasperated, lost and defeated.
"“I’m lost for words, actually,” James told ESPN, referring to the Cavs’ eight-game losing streak on national TV “They should take us off every nationally televised game for the rest of the season. We haven’t played good ball and we get our butts kicked every time we play on national television, so I’m at a loss for words.”"
It’s not the comment about being taken off national TV that should worry fans. It’s the repeated “I’m at a loss for words” that’s concerning.
In times of trouble, James usually conjures an answer. He’s taken short sabbaticals, only to return refreshed and dominate. He’s campaigned for trades, usually for paint-controlling brutes. Or he’s taken on more responsibilities to help get his team on track.
But “I’m at a loss for words” is different. James seems like he is, legitimately, at a loss for how to help the reeling Cavaliers right the ship.
His now second-in-command, Isaiah Thomas, seemed similarly distraught. He openly, almost therapeutically ranted with the media following the loss.
"“We’re not together on both ends. There’s a lot of one-on-one on the offense end, maybe because we don’t trust each other. And then on the defensive end, it’s the same thing. Guys are put on islands and there’s no trust. I mean, if you don’t trust something … I don’t know. I think it has a lot to do with trust on both ends.”"
Trust. He said it four times. According to Thomas, Cleveland lacks the essential fabric of a basketball team.
Unlike football or baseball, where cliques are common and teams can succeed while being divided, basketball relies heavily on unit — players trusting each other to help on defense, knock down open shots and play as one. So these comments are alarming.
Maybe it’s not a team issue, but rather a Thomas issue. Maybe it’s only the Cavaliers’ point guard that feels disenfranchised. Still, that’s like quarterback saying he can’t trust his linemen or receivers. An at least lukewarm point guard is imperative for success. Thomas seems ice cold toward the Cavaliers.
And then there are the comments made by head coach Tyronn Lue.
"“Don’t look like [we tried]. We didn’t have no fight,” he told ESPN. “I just think our mindset needs to change. I think we need to do things harder.”"
Don’t look like we tried. Mindset needs to change. We need to do things harder. Ouch. Not only is Lue frustrated with his team, but he almost appears apathetic.
This a coach who appears to be at a loss of what to do about his flailing squad. There’s little analysis nor an attempt to shoulder the blame. Even a naively optimistic promise for improvement would be appreciated.
The Cavaliers are a sinking ship, with the players haplessly cupping water and dumping it overboard while Lue looks on, white flag waiving. He not only appears helpless, he appears unwilling to try.
With five games left before All-Star weekend, Cleveland needs a winning couple of weeks. It won’t be easy with bouts against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics in that stretch.
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Apart from winning, something resembling unity must develop. Yes, the Cavs are battling slumps and injuries while adjusting to the return of Thomas. But what is most concerning is the team’s attitude, which only they can control on their own.