The Cleveland Cavaliers came into the season with a loaded bandwagon, sky-high expectations, and a revamped roster ready to take them to the Promised Land. So far, things have gotten off to a rocky start. Cleveland currently sits at 6-7 and seventh in the eastern conference. They have looked lethargic at times, vulnerable defensively, and like deer in headlights in big moments. This all begs the question: Is LeBron James, the savior of basketball in Cleveland, the reason the Cavs are struggling so much?
As loaded a question as that is, we can break down the answer in several parts. James certainly has struggled, but his share of the blame is not the sole reason for Cleveland’s slow start. Let’s take a look at all the ailments plaguing the Cavaliers, starting from the top.
The rookie head coach
David Blatt was a highly regarded coach coming over from Europe to try his luck in the NBA. He is respected across the globe, and certainly impressed LeBron James and the Cavaliers’ front office this offseason. That said, though, he has struggled to make this roster mesh and put his players in positions where they can succeed. Cleveland’s offense has looked stagnant for large chunks of games, and the only reason they are 6-7 and still afloat is the sheer star power of James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. The principles in Blatt’s offense worked exceptionally well in Europe, but the talent level of the NBA is simply on another level.
Many people criticized Erik Spoelstra in Miami as a mediocre head coach powered by three superstars. Looking at what he has done with the Heat, and what Blatt has done with the Cavaliers, Spoelstra is due a much greater heap of credit. Blatt has not done enough to create mismatches, keep the defense off balance, and force the opposing teams to play Cavaliers basketball. The season is young, of course, but he will have to adjust the offense to the point where the Cavs do not rely on James and Irving taking over games, because that will not work against the top tier of teams.
Subpar defense
Another underrated component of the Miami Heat’s 4-peat as eastern conference champions was their defense. James led a defense in Miami that routinely performed in the top 5 of the NBA. The Cavaliers are currently 20th in points scored against (100.5), and the rotations, help-side defense, and rebounding have all looked blatantly terrible as well. Irving is not a great on-ball defender, and the Cavaliers do not have a lockdown defender outside of James. Speaking of James, he has looked suspect defensively at times as well.
Inside, Kevin Love looks overmatched at times at the power forward spot. He was never touted as a great defender, but he has been exploited this season. Shawn Marion is not the elite defender he once was, but is still passable, and Dion Waiters is mediocre defensively at best. The issues that have continued to plague the Cavs is their pick-and-roll defense, which quite frankly is terrible.
If the defense is not cleaned up, especially on the pick-and-roll, this team will not improve.
LeBron James is worn out
James has been candid when asked if he believes he should be playing fewer minutes. His answer has been yes all season, and it is not difficult to see why. LeBron is coming off of a four-year stretch where he played from October to June every single season. Those minutes add up, and no amount of weight loss or dieting will take the tread off of his tires. This season, James has looked lethargic, slow, and even disinterested at times. The mental fatigue from playing those many games cannot be measured, but it looks to have taken a toll on him.
In situations in Miami where he would have taken charge, attacked the basket, inspired his teammates or offered meaningful insight, James has done the opposite in Cleveland. He looks frustrated with himself and with his teammates, and has even stated to the media that he “stinks.” His teammates need his leadership on offense, defense, and in the locker room, and quite simply he has not provided it yet. He has set poor examples, even pouted at times, and certainly needs to play better for Cleveland to turn it around.
In a nutshell, LeBron James can and will take the brunt of blame for the Cavaliers’ struggles. Is it deserved? Somewhat, yes. This team needs to make major changes from top to bottom to improve, though. James is not the only issue, but he needs to become the catalyst for change for Cleveland to charge up the eastern conference. They have the personnel to do it, but the real question is: Can they put it all together before it is too late?