King James Gospel
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Cleveland Cavaliers: One blatant weakness for every Cavalier

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers helps up Derrick Rose #1 during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers helps up Derrick Rose #1 during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 10: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls on October 10, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 10: Derrick Rose #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls on October 10, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Derrick Rose: Weakness– Shooting, Injury-prone

One reason the Cavaliers’ starting lineup has struggled this season is the lack of spacing. Starting Jae Crowder and Kevin Love at the power forward and center positions respectively were suppose to clear that up. It would have if the Cavaliers wouldn’t have also started both Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade.

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Throughout the last couple seasons in the NBA, the league has become increasingly dependent on the three-point shot and creating offensive spacing.  Rose, who has shot only 33% from deep this season and has a career three-point percentage of 29.8%, is not an ideal candidate to play alongside LeBron, a player that thrives with a lineup of shooters. That said, Rose need to work on his shooting to become a dynamic MVP-type player again.

But, he can’t do that if he injured, which is his other weakness. When they signed him, the Cavaliers knew exactly what they were getting into. Rose has played an average of just over 41 games per season over the past four years, all of which he was active. Rose has already injured himself once this season when he twisted his ankle in the Cavaliers’ second game.

Rose is a fantastic player, and he will be even more effective on the second unit when Isaiah Thomas returns. For now, the Cavaliers need just two things from Rose: to stay healthy and knock down open shots. Is that too much to ask from your starting point guard?