For Starters: Love Affair Over?
In my last post, I referenced a change in the starting lineup may occur. Kevin Love (concussion) has underwhelmed as a starter for the Cleveland Cavaliers, getting the shots he wants but failing to convert. He’s playing so badly and been such a bad fit that he’s already being listed for auction again.
Tristan Thompson? According to Klay Thompson, the Cavaliers aren’t necessarily easier to beat than the Thunder, but they don’t have the length that OKC had. I didn’t see them cutting so easily to the rim against the Thunder. Mozgov was put in late in the game to get him warmed up for Game 3.
JR Smith (hand injury) has torn open the skin on the palm of his shooting hand. Regardless of the reason for it, Richard Jefferson has outplayed the mercurial guard in every facet of the game. Offensively, defensively and mentally.
With serious attention being paid to Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye on the perimeter, Timofey Mozgov down low, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving can take anyone one-on-one or set up the others for an easy play.
The middle of the floor completely opens up for them to operate from midrange. With Thompson and Love always in the midrange area for rebounding and scoring, Frye and Mozgov would be in the perimeter and right under the goal, respectively. Take a look at the shot chart for the Cavaliers in these Finals. They can’t make any shots in the middle of the floor, shooting less than 25% (12-49).
Rather than take away space for Kyrie and LeBron under the basket, he provides a big target for a pass should they be driving towards the rim. Luckily, Mozgov, if needed, can also shoot and that provides spacing for the Cavaliers in the paint.
Thompson would come off the bench with Smith and Love. However, with Smith and Love seemingly injured to the point where at least one of their Game 3 statuses is in doubt, players will have to be ready to step up. Jordan McCrae is a bonafide scorer and a long defender, but the rookie might not be trusted by Lue like he was by Blatt.
What’s more likely is that the intellectual James Jones, who’s a real friend of LeBron’s and a real sniper from three, will likely have his number called to help compensate for JR’s seven attempts from three per game, control the pace, and be in LeBron’s ear on the court.
Like last year, injuries may be a defensive blessing in disguise for the Cavaliers. This year, perhaps an offensive and mental one, too.
The good of this lineup is Mozgov has started with a Love who played virtually like Frye, offensively. JR played like RJ just more shooter and less playmaker. Really, the chemistry should already be there, though, they’ve never logged minutes together as a unit.
Look for pick-and-rolls with Mozgov, who is also a decent free throw shooter should he get to the line. Look for Mozgov to clean up behind LeBron and Kyrie on drives. Look for Mozgov to use his 7’1″ 250 lb. frame to his advantage against Draymond.
Frye won’t be keyed in on as a starter and can get loose for shots. Frye’s occasional foray into the paint to mix it up, and his playmaking from the arc to get the ball to cutters running towards the rim are bonuses. Another reason he should be in. This is action the Warriors have killed the Cavaliers with, which might force their hand into playing Bogut more and playing their devastating small lineups less.
In a role switch, RJ makes shots from deep and in the paint at a more efficient rate than Love. He’s quick and athletic enough to get by and over Draymond. He’s a threat from deep who makes his catch-and-shoot threes at a 45.5% rate, especially late in the shot clock. On defense he can switch and let LeBron guard Draymond while he guards a Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Stephen Curry with equal proficiency.
In terms of intangibles, intensity and awareness, Frye and RJ far exceeds that of Love and JR. Thompson may be more intense than Mozgov, but Mozgov can provide an Andrew Bogut-like presence. There is a different type of intensity made by big blocks, surprisingly sexy passes, and clutch shots in close that Thompson doesn’t provide.
The length and aggressive defense that will be behind Kyrie or any of the others, actually, will greatly help them on rotations and closeouts. The Warriors shouldn’t have nearly so many uncontested jumpers, layups or dunks. More than any other factor, the Cavaliers are losing because they’re giving up uncontested shots.
I’ve been kind by not mentioning it, but the onus of being the Cavaliers best big man was on Love who has constantly been overshadowed by Frye and Thompson. Benching Love should be the beginning of the end for this marriage, even if the Cavaliers manage to win. In reality, if the Cavaliers are more competitive with a “Chosen One,” than with a “Big Three,” then the other two need to look in the mirror and decide if playing with LeBron is what’s best for their games.
I’ll stop short of saying Kyrie doesn’t fit with LeBron, but it’s clear that the King wants a point guard that makes the right plays. Offensive coordinators hate when their quarterbacks go rogue, don’t play smart and don’t produce.
Watch out for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to be a major part of the rumor mill this offseason. Especially, Kevin Love if Channing Frye produces in his possible absence and the Cavaliers win.
If Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony make it to Cleveland to man the heady point guard and scoring power forward positions, I’d expect Dwyane Wade to be right behind to fill the hole at takeover player at shooting guard.
Tristan Thompson who won’t be traded could return as the team’s lob catching, elite rebounding, starting center. Even that could be changed by sweet stroking, circus layup making, all-around center Anderson Varejao’s return to Cleveland. It could even change with shot-blocking, high-flying, tough guy Chris “Birdman” Andersen’s potential arrival this summer as a free agent.
The Cavaliers need a change to their starting five, that’s obvious. They need remodeling at its finest, that’s not so obvious.
We’re giving you every chance, Kevin Love. We’ll stand up for you, even though you’re like that significant other we know we’re probably better without.
You’ve disappeared in the Finals again, so far, and it’s safe to say the Love affair may be ending. If a role switch doesn’t help, then what? But if coming off the bench is how he helps best, then is this all worth it?
Kyrie, the best friend of the ex, might be destined to be in LA with girlfriend Kehlani, like a twist of fate. I see Melo-A.I. with Kyrie and LeBron. If faced with being one of two primary scorers, there are truthfully better options to complete the duo. Like Carmelo, his best friend of his best friends.
LeBron might break up with these super(?)star “friends”, but there’ll be three more to fill their abscence. The quartet could ride a banana boat into the sunset in Cleveland, playing the brand of AAU-NBA basketball LeBron has grown accustomed to.
First thing’s first though, adjusting to the Golden State Warriors and trying to win. Will injuries be the key for the Cleveland Cavaliers finding their slingshot to defeat Goliath?
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