Dribbles: Cavs reach midway point with some issues and plenty to prove

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 123-112 ugly home loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday.

1. Coach Kenny Atkinson says this loss isn’t necessarily a big deal, that games like this happen. 

2. Atkinson afterward: “You gotta keep perspective. I know people think it’s the end of the world, (that we lost) to the Utah Jazz. You can’t think like that. If you do, you haven’t been around the NBA for very long.”

3. You know what? He’s 100 percent correct. All that matters is what you do from now until whenever the playoffs end. But at the midway point, there’s no reason to believe that the playoff run will be very long.

4. Atkinson also always talks about “trusting your body of work.” He’s right about that, too. At 22-19, the Cavs’ body of work is … well, not so great. It’s not the 19 losses. It’s the manner in which they’re losing. And sometimes, even the way they’re winning.

5. The Cavs lack fire, spirit. They are discombobulated offensively. They still aren’t tough enough. And I don’t know how you’re supposed to defend the 3-point line in today’s NBA, but from the looks of things, the Cavs don’t know, either.

6. For the record, these aren’t absolute truths, just what I myself am seeing and thinking. I look at this team and ask, “What the …?” Given the 64-18 record last year, I’m a little surprised I’m thinking that way.

7. Other thoughts? I don’t love what I’ve seen from Evan Mobley. He’s a good player, don’t get me wrong. His stats are just fine. But as for taking another step from last season, well, yeah. He hasn’t. Jarrett Allen isn’t as good as last year, either. Neither is De’Andre Hunter. Neither is Darius Garland most nights, though he seems to be turning a corner.

8. So far, the Lonzo Ball trade has been a bust. This team misses Isaac Okoro. It misses Ty Jerome. Not necessarily those players specifically — but those types of players.

9. That’s not a shot at Jaylon Tyson, Craig Porter Jr., Nae’Qwan Tomlin or anyone, really. The young players have been incredibly determined and occasionally impactful. But young players don’t lead you to victory. That’s the job of the regulars, the stars, the nucleus.

10. Donovan Mitchell is brilliant most every night. Not a single other soul has been consistent enough. Some of that is injury-related. Some of it is focus-related. 

11. Listen, if I thought the Cavs were a .500 team, then this would probably be a column of praise and hope. But entering the season, I honestly thought they had a good shot to win the East. They did, too. They can still do it. I believe that. They believe that. But a lot has to change, and it’s not just the names on the roster. It’s the approach.

12. Yes, the Cavs are open to making a trade before the Feb. 5 deadline. But good luck when you’re in salary-cap hell. That’s one thing I don’t see happening. If the Cavs want to make changes, they’ll probably have to wait until the offseason.

13. The reality is, we’re at the midway point of the season, and the Cavs have looked nothing like a contender. More like a play-in team. They’ve had some stinkers already this year. This one may have smelled the worst.

14. Garland had a pretty decent night with 23 points and eight assists. Mitchell scored 21. Mobley finished with 15 points and nine rebounds despite his disappearing act in the first half. Sam Merrill added 14, and Tomlin and Tyson were very good with 13 and 11, respectively.

15. Keyonte George led the Jazz (14-25) with 32. Old friend Lauri Markkanen scored 28. Kevin Love received a loud round of applause and went for 11 points off Utah’s bench.

16. Those are the numbers. They mean little. What matters more now is that the Cavs say enough is enough, get it together and start becoming the team they still believe they can be. The clock may not be ticking, but it sure is warming up.