King James Gospel
Fansided

Time to hit the alarm button in Cleveland

By Da'Reon Sevanell

=NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans is fouled by Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center on October 28, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
=NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 28: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans is fouled by Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center on October 28, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s time for the Cleveland Cavaliers to ring the alarm.

There is no need for panic in Cleveland, those were the sentiments shared after the Cavaliers were pounded 123-101 by the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN quotes Cavs small forward LeBron James as saying:

"“I’m fine, and we’re fine. It’s a long season. It’s way too [early to judge].”"

LeBron James has been to seven straight NBA Finals so he knows a thing or two about postseason excellence.

He’s clearly implying that the Cavaliers will work themselves out of their present funk and be ready for the post season. He has done it before, so there is no need to doubt LeBron. There is clearly no need to panic but is there need for alarm?

Of course the Cavaliers should be alarmed. Whatever colour the alarm button is, the Cavaliers should be pressing it.

The previous season’s version of the Cavaliers per statistics from basketball-reference had a defensive rating of 110.3, making them the leagues 21st-ranked defence. The team allowed 107.2 points per contest placing them 20th among the league’s 30 teams.

Through six games, this seasons’ incarnation of the team has a defensive rating of 112.0, making them the leagues 26th ranked team. They are allowing a mind-blowing 109.5 points per contest placing them 24th among the league’s teams. It is, as LeBron said, early in the season but these statistics are obviously horrendous.

Last season’s version of the Cavaliers had a porous defence and this season’s version is worse defensively. The awful defence is reason enough for the Cavaliers to be alarmed.

Derrick Rose’s injury situation is another cause of alarm for the Cavaliers. The 2010-11 season was the last time Rose played a full NBA season. Since then, his season tallies have been, 39, 10, 51, 66 and 64 games. This is not a player that a franchise should place a lot of trust in. Rose has had a grocery list of injuries and guess what, he is out again.

Isaiah Thomas when he returns will improve the Cavaliers offensive ratings. The Cavaliers offensive rating is currently 108.8 good enough for 11th in the league. The team scores 106.3 points per game, good enough for 10th in the league. Last year they were ranked third and fourth in these two categories.

They should get back to these rankings once Thomas eventually suits up for the team. Unfortunately for the team, Thomas’s presence while improving the offence is likely to make the defence far worse.

LeBron is right on the account that it is going to be a long season. It is far too early to panic but it isn’t too early to start hitting the alarm button.

Related Story: What we learned against the New Orleans Pelicans