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Cleveland Cavaliers: Defense must improve for fourth Finals’ run

By Prosper Junior Bakiny

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 12, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have been busy this offseason.

They parted ways with their all-star point guard Kyrie Irving and acquired Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder in the process. They also managed to sign Derick Rose and Dwayne Wade. The Cleveland Cavaliers have flipped just about half their roster this offseason.

These signings and acquisitions make for an overall powerful offensive unit. But against the Warriors, it was their defense that was the biggest problem. Unfortunately, the Cavs haven’t improved much on defense. Until they do, they have no shot at beating the Warriors.

The Warriors boast one of the best backcourts in the NBA, and arguably the best shooting backcourt of all time. The “splash brothers” are next to impossible to stop at the offensive end. Pairing them against any combination of any two guards currently on the Cavs’ roster almost seems unfair. Isaiah Thomas, Kyle Korver, Dwayne Wade, Derrick Rose, JR Smith, and Co. can all score, but none of them are defensive stoppers – not even remotely.

Of course, the Warriors possess other offensive weapons. Their starting frontcourt includes Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. That merely compounds the problem for the Cavs whose starting lineup will now include Kevin Love at the center position. Love is himself a liability on defense. Having three starters that are virtual nonfactors at the defensive end does not bode well for the Cavs.

Sure, the acquisition of Jae Crowder helps, since he is a solid defensive player, as are Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert. But the Warriors’ entire “death line-up” includes players who are very good at both ends of the floor. Even Steph Curry is one of the better defensive point guards in the league, despite what most people think. The Cavaliers must start to garner this type of reputation if they want to be known for their defense instead of just being known for their isolation, hero ball.

Last year, the Cavs neglected to establish rigorous defensive habits throughout the regular season. They hoped they would “turn it on” during the playoffs, which they did, that is until they ran into the Warriors.

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While I suspect they will not make the same mistake this time around, it may not mean much with the team as currently constructed.