Six Reason the Cavs are off to a Slow Start
What is up with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
No one would’ve thought this newly put-together Cavs team would look this bad. With a win last night, the Cavs record currently sits at 5–6. In these 11 games, the Cavs had a 4 game losing streak losing to the Nets, Pelicans, Knicks and the Pacers. This is a Cavs team that we all had penciled in as going to the NBA Finals. If the Cavs continue to lose to teams like this, what will be the chances of them making the playoffs?
The games the Cavs are losing are not even close. In fourof the six losses, the Cavs have lost by at least 17 points, including 21 and 22 point losses to Orlando and New Orleans. Oftentimes the Cavs look lost and uncomfortable on the floor. LeBron James even posted the famous Arthur fist meme on Instagram, to express his anger with the Cavs slow start.
With that said, these are some reason the Cavs are off to a slow start.
1. No Defense- The Cavs aren’t playing any defense whatsoever. In each of their losses the Cavs opponent scored more that 110 points. They allowed the Pelicans to score 123 points. This Cavs team will not stand a chance against the Golden State Warriors in the finals. The Cavs don’t have the offensive power that most teams have so they have to rely on their defense to get wins.
“I think it’s trust,” Kevin Love said. “I mean; we talk about the communication. I think it starts for us on the defensive end.
In their last game, the Cavs were victorious against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavs got the win, but allowed the Bucks to score 119 points. The Cavs, (like most of the teams in the NBA) didn’t have an answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo shined, dropping a 40 piece with 9 rebounds, and three assist. The Cavs should be worried about Antetokounmpo’s performance, because of the possible threat of Bucks in the playoffs. As the season goes on Antetokounmpo will only get harder to guard.
2. No Point Guard- Let’s be honest the Cavs don’t look too good without Kyrie Irving. Often times the Cavs looked to Irving for a quick point, but with his absents it looks like the Cavs are taking a minute to adjust. In their game on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, the Cavs had a chance to take the lead with a three and 8 seconds left on the clock. Somehow, with eight seconds left, the ball is in Channing Frye’s hand taking a contested three point shot. In situations like this the Cavs will miss Irving taking the big shot.
This problem possibly may soon be fixed with the return of Isiah Thomas, coming sooner rather than later. On Monday, ESPN reported that Thomas could return to the lineup before January. This is good news for the Cavs, because they desperately need a point guard that can take a big shot. Hopefully Thomas can stay healthy and fill the big shoes of Irving. One thing is certain with Thomas’s return, and that is he will not be helping their defensive struggles. Teams will defiantly take advantage of the “Whoever Offense on Thomas” because of his height he is a real defensive liability.
3. The Cavs are bored- The true reason the Cavs could be playing so bad is that they are bored. This is a team that has been to the Finals the last 3 years, so some laziness is expected. The Cavs know that they are good and are probably just going to coast until it’s time for the playoffs. The Cavs seem to only play hard when they play good teams like the Celtics, Wizards and Bucks. They tend to only lose to teams that are struggling and have no business on the floor with them. A perfect example is their two-point loss to the Hawks at home. The Cavs better be careful with this method before they don’t even make the playoffs.
4. Chemistry- The Cavs basically have a whole new team this season with the addition of Dwayne Wade, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Jeff Green and others. As time goes on players will accept their roles and hopefully get better than they are now. Head coach, Tyron Lue also is trying to figure a solid starting lineup. The addition of Wade caused friction on the team because he was starting, taking J.R. Smith’s spot. Smith had a problem with this causing Wade to ask Lue to come off the bench.
5. LeBron out of Shape- It’s hard to believe LeBron James is ever out of shape. LeBron expressed his frustration with his conditioning level in over the four game losing streak. LeBron attest’s his bad conditioning to sitting out of the preseason games with a sore ankle. On Friday, November 11, the Cavs ended their four game losing streak against Division rivals, Washington Wizards. This was a breakout game for LeBron, scoring 57 points against a good Washington team.
“I just want to get to where I should be,” James told reporters. “The ankle and the foot injury kind of kept me out and set me back further than I would like, but I got some time now along the course of these games that we got.”
6. I hate to be this guy, but the Cavs could be another doomed victim of the Kardashian curse. Ever since Tristan Thompson has gone public with Khloe Kardashian the Cavs haven’t been playing to their potential. I think this curse is a logical explanation to the Cavs early struggles. Look at her past relationships. Lamar Odom, cocaine overdose and life seems to be in shambles. James Harden, the Rockets weren’t that great when she was with Harden and now Harden is balling. When the Cavs won the Championship, Chloe Kardashian wasn’t in the picture and the Cavs came back 3–1. This year in the finals, the Cavs faced the same obstacle and couldn’t do it. The only difference was Khloe Kardashian. Open your eyes people.
