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Cleveland Cavaliers: Is Being Too Top-Heavy Scary?

By Nathan Beighle

May 23, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an incredible Game 4, one thing we know for certain is that this Cleveland Cavaliers team count on its Big 3 far too much.

LeBron James, who is the renown leader of the Cavs, has hardly missed a beat this postseason, but when he did, the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered. They lost their only postseason game so far when he scored only 11 points. Albeit both Kyrie and Love played well, without LeBron and with some luck of the Irish, the Cavaliers faltered and fell.

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Game 4 was a different story, but the underlying topic is still the same. This time though, it was Kyrie Irving who was the Cavaliers main superstar and LeBron James who took a backseat. Kyrie scored a career postseason-high of 42 on an extremely efficient 15-of-22 from the field. It’s incredible seeing Kyrie slice and dice his way through the lane, but I assure you the Warriors defense will be much more sturdy and keep him out of the lane more effectively.

The problem is if even two of the big three struggle, it is basically game over for the Cavaliers. In Game 4, they depended on them far too much.

Non-big 3 players scored just 19 points on 12 shots. It’s hard to tell if this team just knows their roles and plays through there superstars or if their bench just can’t produce like they hoped. I outlined how our bench scoring was a key factor in Game 4, and obviously the 7 bench points was a huge letdown. If their bench or really just TT and J.R. would’ve stepped up, this game would have been a blow out quickly. In the Finals, the Cavs will need that fourth and fifth scoring option.

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Obviously the team is set. Does it scare me a bit that the Cavaliers depend so heavily on three players to deliver at all moment of the games, yes, but with those three, truly anything is possible.