King James Gospel
Fansided

Constant attacking is a two-way street for Cleveland Cavaliers

ByDan Gilinsky|
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays with a ripped jersey during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays with a ripped jersey during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Quicken Loans Arena on October 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Milwaukee, WI – OCTOBER 20: Dwyane Wade
Milwaukee, WI – OCTOBER 20: Dwyane Wade

The Cleveland Cavaliers have some talented players to unleash in at the rim, but they will have to pay a price for that as the season moves along.

It’s clear that this Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster is not the youngest currently in the NBA. They have new pieces that are big names, but obviously more of the seasoned variety at this point. The Cavs are going to have to use that veteran savvy on both ends, especially in regards to their guard rotation. They have looked like world-beaters at times in transition, both in the preseason and in their first few regular season games.

Right now, the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers are flying high on the break, and it’s resulted in some high-percentage looks at the rim for a number of players. More impact defensive plays than last year have also led to transition offense more frequently, and the Cavs have been able to cash in with plays like this one last night versus the Orlando Magic:

https://twitter.com/cavs/status/921912437577617408

Getting out on the break with players like Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, and Jeff Green is going to be a focus all season long for head coach Tyronn Lue and the Cavs coaching staff. Those guys, especially Rose and Green, are at their best when they are exploding to the basket and taking advantage of when defenders are on their heels.

Those straight-line drives have enabled them and others to get to the free-throw line, which is one of the easiest ways to fill up the box score, as KJG’s Nathan Beighle touched on. In addition, diagonal cuts from James and Jae Crowder in the halfcourt and slow breaks have been freed up from the Cavs continuously attacking.

That being said, the Cavs struggled against Orlando without Rose in the lineup due to an ankle injury suffered in Milwaukee. With him out, and Wade going 2-for-8 from the field and having more point guard responsibility, the offense was clearly hampered. Here was Lue on that issue post-game: