Random dribbles on the Cavaliers …
1. The Cavs are 0-2 since the All-Star break. Friday against the Hawks was their ugliest and worst loss of the season.
2. Forgive me for not being overly concerned.
3. The Cavs won’t make excuses — so I will for them. On Thursday, they lost to the best team in the Western Conference in the Nuggets. Good game, tough loss, not a big deal.
4. Against the Hawks, well, things were considerably more embarrassing. But the Hawks were motivated after starting the post-break portion of the schedule with a new coach. For now, that coach is interim man Joe Prunty. It sounds as if it will be Quin Snyder soon.
5. Either way, having a new voice can motivate a team for a game or two. This was one of those games. (Though I think Nate McMillan is an outstanding coach and got a raw deal. But that’s a different column for another day.)
6. As for the Cavs, it was the second night of a back-to-back … on the road … after a tough game … against a motivated and talented opponent. I’ll give them a pass.
7. That said, I do have two criticisms. First, there is way too much “iso-ball.” Last season when healthy, the Cavs had one of the most fluid offenses in the NBA. Adding Donovan Mitchell has changed that a little — and don’t misunderstand, I think Mitchell is great. But it’s become too much pick-and-roll, over and over, ad nauseam.
8. Second, the Cavs are getting nothing from their bench, or role players in general. If they want to win in the playoffs, it can’t just be all Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen all the time.
9. Translation: The Cavs will need more from the likes of Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman, Dean Wade and maybe Lamar Stevens.
10. It also probably wouldn’t hurt for the Cavs to sign a forward/center type to try to fill Kevin Love‘s old spot. Clearly, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has zero faith in Robin Lopez.
11. Anyway, I’m worried Okoro is always going to be what he’s been for his entire young career — a guy who will have hot stretches, but give you almost nothing the rest of the time. The Cavs already have a player like that in Osman.
12. LeVert also runs very hot and cold. If the Cavs are to advance in the playoffs, and get better in the future, they will need to find a wing player who can offer consistent production. Again, I’m not so sure that player is on the current roster. I’m guessing the Cavs are wondering, too.
13. As far as this season goes, Sunday’s game against the Raptors suddenly is kind of a big deal. The Cavs have not been good against Toronto this season (0-3). It’s a bad matchup. But mostly, you don’t want to start the post-break at 0-3.
14. Basically, you can excuse the Cavs’ first two losses after the All-Star Game. At least, I can. But it might be time to worry if they lose to the Raptors at home.
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Sorry, but to disagree with you, it IS past time for concern. We have seen all those things you so very well describe in the above. And they are very telling. If you & I see them why have they not been corrected? they have long been noticed, yes the current record is a current good position for now,,,but as currently built, can not sustain it. If the trend continues, a BIG skid down the charts even before the playoffs is in the picture. Too much lackluster lazy passes, Iso ball, and just sloppy play, & coach waiting too long before time outs during momentum swings. Yes, its a lot to digest, but a whole lots is wrong here, and Darius Garland shot selection is just as bad as him being a turnover machine. Those brick shots bounce out to the defense just like a turnover! Sorry, It’s not just the second unit, but you ARE right about them… & the Cavs office has NOT done things to correct this, & it’s showing greatly now. Darius “cavalier” attitude(no pun intended) is showing too & it has rubbed off on Donovan Mitchell. Shooting in general is WAY OFF! Yes, I am a Laurie M fan & miss him, that is where 3 pt shooting suffers too, sorry Okoro it ain’t working.