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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from first 3 games

By Ryan Piers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 19: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

3. The defense is a weakness

If fans were to pick which side of the ball they felt better about before the season opening loss to the Toronto Raptors, most would have probably sided with the defense. The Cavs roster Tristan Thompson, George Hill, Rodney Hood and Kevin Love (I swear, he’s underrated) — all players with decent defensive pedigrees.

A melancholy offense was to be expected, as Cedi Osman might be the second-best option. But through three games, Cleveland is getting buckets while struggling to keep teams under 115 points. The Raptors were coasting in the fourth quarter of their 116-104 win against the Cavs.

Granted, the entire league is scoring at breakneck pace. Through the first eight days, teams are averaging 113.4 points per contest. That’s the most since the league averaged 116.7 in 1969-70. I wonder if people complained on Twitter about “no defense” then?

Still, the Cavs are giving up 126.7 points a night. That’s third-worst in the league.  Potentially, playing David Nwaba more frequently is a cure.

Following practice this week, head coach Tyronn Lue noted that communication must improve.

That goes for offense and defense as well. Players must call out picks, bark when they are rotating and yell when they need help. It’s only been three games, making it way too early to overreact about giving up nearly 130 points per game. But the team is in trouble if things don’t change quickly.

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