Just when you think the Cavs are turning things around, they sink back to mediocrity and inconsistency that has plagued the team since the beginning of the season. As a Cavs fan - it’s very annoying.
They are supposed to be better then this aren’t they? This was the year that they were supposed to take it to the next level and win the Eastern Conference. What the heck are they doing losing to Portland and Seattle on back-to-back nights? It leaves you standing in a world of Cavalier doubt scratching your head.
Is it just energy, focus and motivation? Can the problems behind the consistency of this team be that simple and shallow?
Or is it something bigger?
Maybe it’s a point guard that they need. Maybe the personalities of the team have not yet meshed together. Maybe Mike Brown hasn’t found that perfect rotation of substitutions yet. Whatever the problem is, it needs to be solved between now and April, or else our dreams of an NBA Finals appearance is not going to happen folks.
The effort last night in the 94-76 loss to Portland was flat out embarrassing. I know it was a road game, I know it was the second part of back-to-back games, I know the Cavs had previously lost 6 of the last 7 in the Rose Garden…I know all that. But the fact remains that the Cavs need to win these games to guarantee a top seed in the playoffs.
But why mention that anymore - we all know that. You can read that everywhere you turn, from Cleveland newspapers, to Cleveland sports blogs.
So why then can we realize the importance and the urgency of these games….but the Cavs play like they don’t realize it themselves?
Last night the Cavs had 7 assists as a team. Seven. That is proof positive that they had no energy what so ever. Need more proof? How about that they only scored 9 points in the first quarter? Even LeBron admitted he was lethargic last night, stating that he could not get his legs into his jump shots.
The Trail Blazers committed 33 fouls to the Cavs 15. Think about that. Portland doubled the Cavs in fouls. Again, evidence that the Cavs simply were not aggressive on the court and Portland was. Free throws again haunted Cleveland - as they shot only 28-for-45 from the line….that’s 17 free points the Cavs left out there…yet they lost by 18.
Last night’s offensive problems should be blamed squarely on the shoulders of the starters. LeBron, Gooden, Z, Hughes and Snow went a combined 13-for-45 from the field…well maybe I will pardon Snow because he didn’t even attempt a shot - thanks for showing up Eric…but 13-for-45??…that’s 28%. Twenty-eight. I bet the Browns had a higher third down conversion rate all season then 28%. The inconsistent performances night in and night out are simply unacceptable. And you know what? The talent is here, that’s obvious because we have seen this team dominate it’s opponents before - so that leaves the coaching.
When a team, in any sport, can be have such complete 180 degree performances, you have to take a hard look at the coaching staff. I like Mike Brown - but I’m not sold on his coaching and game planning yet. Still to this day though, he gets a free ride. Rarely do you read about writers criticizing Coach Brown. We hear about his track record as an assistant in Indiana….we hear about what a great defensive mind he has….but the inconsistencies this team shows, and the lack of offensive imagination and creativity that we see half court set after half court set screams that Brown is struggling.
If you look close enough, and read between the lines you can see the struggles. Donyell Marshall has been rumored to be upset with his lack of playing time. Drew Gooden looks like an all-star one night, and a flop the next. Our first round draft pick, Shannon Brown, hasn’t touched the court since God knows when. These are all issues that good coaches can solve - yet they linger on the Cavs like a bad seafood smell.
When the Ohio State football team failed to show up with intensity in the BCS Championship against Florida, many of the media jumped at the chance to blame Jim Tressel. Citing that the team was over confident, lacked energy, and played uninspired football. Those were legitimate criticisms about one of the best college football coaches in the country with a track record of success after his team looked flat in one game.
So, how come we never hear the same criticisms about Mike Brown when the Cavs show up with that same uninspired play game after game?
It’s time we start criticizing Mike Brown a bit more if these disturbing trends continue.
What’s so frustrating about this Cavs team is that they are still currently the best team in the Eastern Conference, yet we as fans are still feeling as annoyed as ever with them. This is a great basketball team. But there is some kind of underlying problem that is keeping them from running away with the whole thing.
Mike Brown should be considered one of the suspects as the source of that problem.
Why shouldn’t he? At this point, we have covered everything else.
