Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 biggest disappointments from 2018-19 season

1. Defensive effort

Defense appeared to be the Cavaliers strength entering the season. While the squad lost James, it added Sexton and pesky perimeter guard David Nwaba. Both of whom are known for their defensive tenacity.

Opponents struggled to score, relatively speaking, when Cedi Osman was on the floor last season. The Cavaliers defensive rating also improved with Larry Nance Jr. seeing action. He was expected to see more time this year.

Thompson and Hood were also known as being solid defenders. So the collective unit of above average defenders should have yielded a team tough to score against. Yet, Cleveland’s defensive rating currently sits at 28th in the NBA. So what gives?

Cleveland plays with a sluggish pace, averaging 100.6 possessions per game. Only Memphis, which expertly uses its turtle-like-tempo to fluster opponents is slower.

The Cavs lack size, with Love being the tallest rotation player at 6’10” (unless you count Ante Zizic) so maybe there’s something there.

Are odd defensive strategies to blame? Maybe, but the defense really hasn’t improved under Larry Drew after Tyronn Lue‘s departure.

Cleveland has the pieces to be a good defensive team, but it lacks the effort. This clip against the Los Angeles Lakers is a perfect example.

Sexton exhibits his manic-like intensity. But Osman lets Lonzo Ball waltz to the rim with zero help from his teammates. Allowing opponents to penetrate is an issue with this bunch; Cleveland is giving up 50.1 points in the paint per game.

The Cavs have revved up the defensive intensity over the past few games. In the fourth quarter of the team’s win against Philadelphia, Cleveland permitted just six shots in the paint in the fourth quarter.

In turn, Philadelphia only made eight shots in the quarter. That is the kind of defense Cleveland has lacked so far and what you want to see moving forward.