The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a huge topic in NBA circles this season. Everybody is curious to see if they can somehow get past the drama and make their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance.
New-Look Cleveland Cavaliers Still Have Unanswered Questions
Since Christmas, the Cavaliers have really struggled, winning only a handful of games. This led to a huge shakeup on the day of the NBA trade deadline. Cleveland made headlines with a major trade, sending Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.
The Cavs also traded several other role players, including Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, Iman Shumpert, and Derrick Rose. In return, Cleveland received Rodney Hood and George Hill.
The new-look Cavaliers came out firing before the All-Star break. They beat some fierce competition in the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the break, however, Cleveland fell at home to the Washington Wizards. This was a surprise given how well the Cavaliers played the previous two games.
The loss to the Wizards proved that the Cavs still have a ways to go. Their new players still have to get integrated and become comfortable with the team’s schemes on both ends of the floor.
The Cavaliers responded to the loss by beating the Memphis Grizzlies on the road. They then struggled against the San Antonio Spurs at home, losing by 16 on Sunday. Cleveland couldn’t contain LaMarcus Aldridge in the paint, while Danny Green knocked down a flurry of threes.
LeBron James was sensational in Sunday’s game, racking up 33 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists, but nobody else showed up to help him out. If the Cavaliers really want to contend for the championship, they must find a reliable second option.
In the playoffs, the game will slow down and players other than James will have to be able to create their own shots. Otherwise, James will be forced to play too many minutes and do too much, which will likely cause him to be fatigued in the later playoff rounds.
It will be interesting to see if Kevin Love can thrive as a second option once he is back. If he cannot, then the Cavaliers might be a little low on offensive weapons, come the postseason.
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