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LeBron James on Cavs’ season: “We’ll see what happens”

By Quenton S. Albertie

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Larry Nance Jr. #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high fives Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: Larry Nance Jr. #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high fives Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James seems wary of placing his faith in the team’s newfound youth.

In a stellar piece penned by Bleacher Report’s Scott Sargent, LeBron James, the focal point of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise both on and off the court, offered his thoughts on the current state of the Cavs.

Spoiler: He’s wary.

James, who characterizes the adjustment of having to incorporate four rotation players more than the halfway through the season as “very challenging”, doesn’t see much similarity between this current Cleveland Cavaliers team and the one in 2007-2008. In that fateful season, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a three-team trade that resulted in the arrivals of Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace and Joe Smith and the departures of six Cavs.

Why is just reluctant to place his faith in the new quartet of Cavs? Because of experience.

"“Vets have seen more,” James told Bleacher Report. “They’ve experienced more. Ben Wallace had won a championship before he came over. Wally [Szczerbiak] had been an All-Star and played in big games in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett. Joe Smith was the No. 1 pick in the draft and played in some big games as well.”"

Despite all of those moves, though, the Cleveland Cavaliers would finish the season 2nd in the Central Division and lose to the Boston Celtics (3-4) in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They would go 15-13 in the regular season following the trade.

With that said, perhaps James should prefer the trades made this time around. One that’s brought more young legs than old ones.

In 2008, when the Cavaliers’ made their other megadeal, Wallace was 33-years-old, Smith was 32-years-old and Szczerbiak was 30-years-old. This time around, George Hill is the only arrival who is over 30-years-old and he’s only 31-years-old. Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood are each 25-years-old.

"“Now, we’re learning on the fly. Jordan [Clarkson] and Larry [Nance] have never played in a playoff game. George [Hill] has been in some big games, and Rodney [Hood] had his first taste last year, but yeah… we’ll see what happens.” – LeBron James"

The new quartet for the Cleveland Cavaliers are relatively inexperienced, yes.

However, Clarkson and Nance Jr. have had the opportunity to learn from NBA legend Kobe Bryant in his time with the Lakers. As many know, Nance Jr.’s father was a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive player. Nance Jr. plays a game that speaks of being taught by a father with those type of accolades. Hood has played under a great coach in Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz and has 11 games worth of playoff experience.

Hill has been to the playoffs every year he’s been in the league. These aren’t four of the most experienced players in the world but they’re far from rookies.

Besides,the Cavaliers new legs have gotten them off to a 4-2 start post-trade (5-2 if you count the game against the Atlanta Hawks) with convincing wins over elite teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder along the way.

Consider that West and Szczerbiak were the only players to play over 200 minutes or average at least 10.0 points per game in the Cavaliers semifinals series against the Celtics, with West having better shooting splits and a higher points per game average than Szczerbiak to boot, and James may want to be wary underestimating the younger Cavs.

So far this season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the quartet of Hill, Hood, Clarkson and Nance Jr. are averaging a combined 46.0 points, 14.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.8 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. Hill is the only player (from the new four) shooting below 46.4 percent from the floor.

For James, “being someone who likes chemistry and having things in order” isn’t something that can be held against him. However, sometimes you have to embrace change. He, of all people, should know that.

Related Story: Ty Lue's confidence in Rodney Hood bodes well for the Cavs

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com