Cavs Defense: What is Missing?

The Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to right the ship during their 8 game winning streak only to have things come apart a bit in losing two straight. The Cavs’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder is understandable and, had the New Orleans Pelicans had Anthony Davis for most of the game, the last loss would make some sense.

Instead the Cavs lost to a no 11 – 11 New Orleans team that lost their best player during the first quarter of the game. While the Cavs offense wasn’t perfect, only making 8 of 22 three pointers for example, it was the Cavs defense that was severely lacking on this day.

Allowing 119 points to a team without their best player – Bad

Allowing the Pelicans to shoot 56% from the field – Horrible

Allowing them to shoot 43% from the 3 point line – Sad

Allowing Tyreke Evans, in 2014, to score 31 points and Ryan Anderson to score 30 – Apocalyptic

So what is the problem with the Cavs defense? Many would say the lack of a rim protector is the key but that has been the discussion since the Cavs acquired Kevin Love.  It is not the wrong answer per se but it is a limited one.

Dec 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center

(3) dunks over Cleveland Cavaliers center

(17) as forward

(23) looks on from the back court during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

First and foremost for this Cavaliers team, on defense especially, the key component is effort. Because of some of the physical and experiential limitations of this team, effort on defense has to be given 100% of the time for it to work. This is even more true given the type of defense that David Blatt and Tyronn Lue are having the Cavs run. With hard hedges and the need for weakside rotations at all times, if the effort isn’t there the defense will fall apart, and quickly. While pictures can be taken out of context, the one to the right here shows 4 of the 5 Cavs players back on defense and LeBron James not. The context is that James didn’t get back on defense.

But even when the effort is there, the Cavs still have some trouble defending. This is where we address what is really missing from the team. The Cavs have very few players, James may be the only one, who can quickly eliminate space.

As the Pelicans pick and rolled the Cavs to death the other night this became obvious. After the pick and roll no Cavalier could eliminate space quick enough to rotate to the other big man near the baseline or out to Anderson or others out at the 3 point line.

This is one reason analysts and fans alike have been calling for a rim protector. Not only does a rim protector block shots down low but most have qualities that help them eliminate space. They have quickness of feet, it helps them jump timely to block shots, to recover and close space. They generally have long arms which fills the space between them and the offensive player. They tend to be explosive in their movements, each move creating more impact than most other players.

While eliminating space on defense is something a shot blocker can do, it is not limited to that type of interior players. Anderson Varejao, before age and injuries slowed him down, used to be that player. With his great lateral quickness he could fill space as a pass was being made. He doesn’t have that anymore. Tristan Thompson shows the athletic ability but his awkward movements and uncertainty of purpose often delays him completing the task of eliminating space.

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Eliminating space on defense isn’t even limited to interior players. Players like Lebron, Russell Westbrook, Andrew Wiggins, Jimmy Butler and others all eliminate space as primarily perimeter defenders. They are able to help down low, dropping in during rotations or on post ups while still closing out solidly on perimeter shooters. Their ability may even be greater than the interior player as they can have a great impact both in and out of the paint.

The pain the Cavs feel defensively is due to the lack of this sudden, explosive player. When James is at his best, and not carrying the offense like he was against New Orleans, he can be that player. One is not enough. The Cavs defense will continue to rely on 100% effort, 100% of the time unless they are able to find a space eater in the near future.

Thankfully they have some assets. The Keith Bogans trade exception, Dion Waiters and the Memphis Grizzlies pick could all be used to help the Cavs answer this issue. Next off-season the Brendan Haywood non-guaranteed contract could further help. Anything to keep the Cavs from allowing that kind of shooting percentage and those kind of numbers from players like Evans and Anderson.

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What do you think is missing from the Cavs defense?