Cavs’ struggles go beyond coaching, NBA analyst argues

Kenny Atkinson is going to hear plenty about the Cavs’ 5-6 start. Kevin O’Connor isn’t convinced a different coach would produce a different result.

The NBA analyst pointed to the roster construction, particularly the fit of the Cavs’ four most accomplished players, in comments shared on X⁠.

“This Cleveland team just feels flawed to me, with the top four,” O’Connor said, via Santino Honasan of Basketball Network⁠. “Mitchell and Harden is an imperfect backcourt. Mobley and Allen is an imperfect frontcourt, and then a bench that I don’t really think is that good.”

Those are significant criticisms of a group coming off an Eastern Conference finals appearance. But the Cavs haven’t offered much reassurance lately, including Monday’s 124-112 loss to the shorthanded Hornets⁠.

O’Connor questioned Evan Mobley’s ability to create shots against smaller defenders and expressed concern about James Harden’s declining effectiveness.

“James Harden looks old,” he said. “It’s just the reality of it now.”

The Cavs need more from Harden. They also need more consistent rebounding, better defensive execution and considerably fewer stretches where their talent produces so little.

How much of that falls on Atkinson? How much falls on the players? There’s enough responsibility to go around.

O’Connor predicted Atkinson won’t finish the season as coach. That’s his assessment, not reporting that the Cavs have decided to make a change.

“I don’t think the coaching is necessarily the problem. It’s a problem, but not the problem,” he said.

Eleven games aren’t enough to declare this roster incapable of winning. They are enough to question how it’s playing. Whoever is coaching, the Cavs still need their best players to give them more than they’re getting.