The Cleveland Cavaliers have been to three straight NBA Finals. Their team, outside of LeBron James and the offseason acquisitions, have looked gassed.
While the Cleveland Cavaliers did remodel their team this offseason, many of the same key pieces are playing far below their potential. There could be an array of reasons why they aren’t performing at their peak, but the top reason could just be they are tired.
Before coming to Cleveland, JR Smith had only advanced past the conference semifinals once, and Kevin Love, who was considered a superstar in Minnesota, had never even made the playoffs before his trade to Cleveland. Smith and Love have been two of Cleveland’s most used players over the past three seasons, and the shorter offseason might finally be catching up to them.
Love is easily the second option in Cleveland and has averaged just 0.1 more points than last season. The added responsibly for Love has not shown through in his play. Love must start to average at least 20+ points per game for the Cavaliers to consistently put teams away.
Fatigue, or just a severe shooting slump, are more noticeable for JR Smith.
Smith was horrible during the regular season last year, shooting just 36.4% from the field which was by far the lowest of his career. So far this season, he has taken it to a new level. Smith has shot just 26.4%. The combination of playing three straight 100+ games seasons and losing a crucial playmaker in Kyrie Irving might be enough to crush Smith’s already streaky shot. One question that must be answered this season is if Smith’s shot can be resurrected. Smith, who is used to just shooting his way out of slumps, might be facing the worst shooting slump of his career.
It’s not just Love and Smith though. Wade, who is playing in his fifteenth season, and Channing Frye, another member of the Cavaliers’ three Finals runs, are both looking like ghosts of their normal self. However, this team needs to show more urgency. Their leader, LeBron James, has been excellent this season. Having been to seven straight NBA Finals, James has played seven consecutive seasons of over 100 games, and he has yet to slow down. Offseason acquisitions like Jeff Green and Derrick Rose have also been productive through the Cavs first seven games.
As a team, the Cavaliers are 15th in pace. Although, the Cavs have played the No. 1 and 3 teams in pace, the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic respectively. This team will usually not get out and run, and if they do, it is usually led by Derrick Rose, who has not made the playoffs in two seasons and already sat out two games this season with an ankle sprain.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers looked more energetic last season and were honestly just a more enjoyable team to watch. But, have faith. This team should be able to turn it around just as every LeBron James-led team has done in the past.