Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing the team’s questionable defense
By Tony Pesta
Interior defense
This is where the Cleveland Cavaliers were really hurting last season. As a team, the Cavaliers blocked a total of 195 shots, the lowest total of any team since the Chicago Bulls in the 1998-99 season.
Total blocks last season:
- (30th) Cleveland Cavaliers: 195 blocks
- (29th) Detroit Pistons: 331 blocks
- (28th) Brooklyn Nets: 339 blocks
In addition to not protecting the rim, Cleveland was atrocious at rebounding the ball. Pulling in just 31.9 defensive rebounds a game, the squad ranked 28th in the league.
This only added to their woes as failing to secure the rebound means the possession often didn’t end until the opponent scored.
The 2019-20 NBA season should be much better for the Cavaliers in this department. If Kevin Love manages to remain healthy, he will play a pivotal role in controlling the glass. Love averaged 10.9 rebounds a game last season and is capable of racking up a double-double on a nightly basis.
Furthermore, Tristan Thompson is a top tier rebounder as well, averaging a career-high 10.2 rebounds a night in 43 games last year. With Thompson and Love back in the lineup, rebounding should be handled.
Still, a problem of rim protection ensues. No one on this team is capable of blocking shots at a high rate. Larry Nance Jr. has the best potential of anyone due to his jumping ability, but up to this point in his career, he has shown few signs of transitioning into a shot blocker.
Cleveland is going to give up a ton of buckets in the paint this year. All they can do is attempt to funnel their opponents into the teeth of their defense and contest as many shots as possible. If they fail to do this, other teams will destroy them in the paint.