For most of the early part of the NBA season I have been defending the Cavs and giving them the benefit of the doubt. I have blamed the back-to-back game scheduling for their inconsistencies….I have used the “It’s only December…” line numerous times, and I have also used the increasingly popular “LeBron is tired…” excuse as well.
Well I’m done making excuses.
The Cavs need a wake up call people - and they need one now. Losing is one thing, but when there becomes a consistent pattern of losing, then changes must be made. This team just played three straight Eastern Conference playoff caliber teams - Orlando, New Jersey and Detroit - and they lost all three. Not only did they lose, but it was terrible basketball, and very frustrating to watch.
The Cavs only scored 74 points against Orlando, and 71 against Detroit. Hardly efforts you would expect from a “championship contender“. Even in New Jersey on Wednesday, where the Cavs lost 113-111 it was deceiving. Sure, it ended up as a two point game, but the Cavs trailed by 16 or more twice in the second half. If they don’t start getting this thing straightened out - and quickly - they will be nothing more than another over hyped Cleveland team that horribly disappointed us all.
What I find most disturbing from the Cavs recent play is that the team as a whole looks disinterested. They don’t seem to have focus at all - let alone cohesiveness on either the offensive end or defensive end of the court. It’s like a broken record with this team. In crucial situations we see them standing around waiting for LeBron to pull out his magic and save them in the end - and other team’s are catching on to this, and aren’t allowing that to happen anymore.
When the Indians lacked focus this past summer, many of us jumped up to question Eric Wedge’s leadership ability. The entire fall we have heard fans and media rip Romeo Crennel for the Browns lack of organization and focus. Why is it, that I hardly hear any rumblings from anywhere about the job Mike Brown is doing? Focus is a coaches job. Organization is a coaches job. When those aspects of the game are not being applied correctly, the coach needs to be held accountable.
Now don’t misunderstand me here. I am not calling for a Mike Brown firing. I am simply trying to understand and figure out what this basketball team needs to do to light a fire under it.
One solution was presented by The Morning After hosts Jim Kushlan and Paul Teeple on Sports Talk Cleveland. Kushlan and Teeple have always stressed that the Cavs need a point guard…a play maker that can control the ball, set up scoring opportunities, and allow LeBron to roam the court without the ball. Their solution was Andre Miller. Yes, that Andre Miller, the former first round draft pick by the Cavs back in 1997, and the same Andre Miller that was just sent to Philadelphia in the blockbuster Allen Iverson deal.
At first I disagreed with Kushlan’s and Teeple’s assessment. I always felt that LeBron is at his best when he controls the ball, runs the pick and roll, and either scores or dishes for an easy jumper. However, watching the recent performances from this team, I have changed my tune, and now agree - a skilled point guard is clearly needed.
If you aren’t convinced that someone like Miller is the cure for this struggling team, let me ask you about our transition offense. Are you happy with it? Better yet…have you even seen one from the Cavs this season? They have the most gifted player in the game today, perhaps ever, and we do not have a transition offense…pathetic. Andre Miller, or an Andre Miller type would be exactly what the team would need to spark the fast break.
Imagine a solid defensive stand resulting in a missed shot, rebounded by Gooden, kicked out on the wing to Miller who breaks into a sprint down the middle of the court on a three on two break with Hughes and LeBron on both wings? I like that thought…a whole lot.
