The biggest problem with the Cleveland Cavaliers defense

The biggest problem with the Cleveland Cavaliers defense is simple, they’re giving up too many easy shots.

In a recent article by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, Second Spectrum data utilized the quantified shot quality (qSQ) to measure the difficulty of the shots taken against the Cleveland Cavaliers defense. According to this data, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense ranks last in the NBA.

Furthermore, according to Basketball Reference, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense has allowed opponents to shoot an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 54.2 percent, which ranks 28th out of 30 teams.

More stat-hunting from Pelton showed that “10 teams have a larger discrepancy between their qSQ and eFG, a metric Second Spectrum calls qSI (quantified shooter impact)”, illustrating the lack of defensive pressure exhibited by the Cavaliers. It should be noted that in Pelton’s article, the Cavaliers defense was surrendering an eFG% of 53.9 percent.

Additional evidence of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ soft defense is shown in the difference in the amount of three-point attempts (3.3, tied for 10th in the league) and shooting percentage (26.7 percent, fifth in the league) of players who have a defender between two and four feet of them, considered “tight” defense, and those the amount of three-point attempts (17.3, worst in the league) and shooting percentage (40.8, second-to-worst in the league) of players who have “wide open” shots (defenders aren’t within six feet of them).

It should be noted that, according to Basketball Reference, the Cleveland Cavaliers give up 31.6 three-point attempts per game (ranked 28th in the league) and opponents shoot 37.6 percent from three-point range against the Cavs (26th in the league). Evidence of their inability to stay with their man on the pick-and-roll and defensive miscues on rotations is seen in their opponents’ ability to average 26.0 assists per game against them (29th in the league).

What’s more, by only forcing 13.4 turnovers per game (23rd in the league) and surrendering 53.3 percent on two-point field goals (28th in the league and opponents have 30.0 two-point attempts per game against the Cavs, 22nd in the league), there appears to be barely any defensive pressure on the perimeter or the interior.

It makes sense then why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a defensive rating of 112.1 (28th in the league) and allow 110.1 points per game (28th in the league).

Looking at the Cleveland Cavaliers, the weakest defenders appear to be Tristan Thompson (a starter who has been outshined by Larry Nance Jr.) and Kevin Love (who is out with injury but whose offense and defense are night and day). J.R. Smith, Rodney Hood, LeBron James and Jordan Clarkson have had defensive miscues but are more competent defenders than Thompson (who has taken a step back in that area this season) and Love, two players have been atrocious pick-and-roll defenders this season.

In fact, the Cleveland Cavaliers defense is the worst in the league at defending pick-and-roll roll men, giving up 1.21 points per possession. They rank in the bottom half of the league guarding pick-and-roll ball-handlers, giving up 0.85 points per possession (44th percentile).

They give up 1.07 points per possession in spot-up situations (20th percentile).

They also rank dead last in the league in guarding players in isolation, giving up 1.05 points per possession.

With isolation plays, the pick-and-roll and spot-up shots making up about a half of an NBA team’s offensive possessions, players must be able to be on a string on defense but more importantly they need either the athleticism or acumen to keep up with ball-handlers on the perimeter and fly around in space to keep up with the ball.

That’s why the additions of Clarkson (an athletic 6-foot-5 guard), Hood (a 6-foot-8 forward who competes on the defensive end and is a good communicator), George Hill (an aggressive perimeter defender who has a 6-foot-9 wingspan) and Larry Nance Jr. (a particularly athletic and intelligent center with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) were supposed to improve the Cavaliers’ defense.

To be fair, there have been. Opponents have only been taking 14.5 “wide open” threes per game (15th in the league) since February 11th, the first game for the New Four. They have been giving up 46.6 percent shooting on these attempts, an improvement of 5.8 percent on the season average for opponents. However, the difference of 2.8 “wide open” threes per game brings hope that there are improvements made on the perimeter.

Additional evidence is found in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ only allowing 13.0 percent (3rd in the league) of the three-point attempts (2.9, tied for 7th) that have “tight” coverage. Their field goal percentage on two-point shots with “tight” coverage (48.1 percent) since the trade additions is better than their season average of 58.1 percent.

Again, the amount of shots with “tight” coverage (6.8) is fewer than their season average (7.2). However, this now seems to point to the team’s lack of chemistry moreso than a lack of ability. Before it was apparent the team needed defensive personnel with Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder having subpar performances on the defensive end and the lack of opportunity for Channing Frye because of his lack of athleticism.

On the perimeter, there are now five solid athletes (out of seven players) in Hill, Clarkson, Smith, James and Cedi Osman. Rodney Hood and Kyle Korver aren’t the most athletic players but do well guarding their position.

More from Cavs Analysis

• The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
• This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
• Projecting how much Cavs’ 3 two-way signings might play this season
• 4 Cavaliers looking to make a name for themselves in training camp
• Mitchell’s numbers getting trimmed a bit wouldn’t be bad thing for Cavaliers

At the four and five, Thompson, Love, Nance Jr. and Jeff Green will need to be able to protect the paint and the perimeter but only one player seems to be able to do that consistently. Furthermore, with Green’s recent back problems and what will be a lack of conditioning when Love returns, this unit could become even more of a weak link for the Cavaliers’ defense.

To be fair, Cavaliers head coach may opt to stick with a 9-man rotation and the odd men out could be Green and Korver, so the defense could improve. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ still need to work on their familiarity and communication with each other on and off-the-court.

Stepping away from the players, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coaching staff needs to better utilize their players, regardless of egos and emotions. If a player is underperforming, sit them down. If a team is consistently getting points off of the same play, make adjustments.

The leadership can’t all be on LeBron.

Taking a page out of the LeBron Era Miami Heat’s book should be considered for when Thompson or Love is on the court. Because of their lack of rim-protection, the LeBron’s Heat played an aggressive, blitzing defense and used James and the backline defenders to wreak havoc, come up with steals and get out in transition.

Sure enough, this is a scheme that leaves the team vulnerable should they miss a rotation but it’s also a way to force the opposing offense into making quicker decisions and disrupting their rhythm.

I asked Basketball Insiders’ Spencer Davies about his thoughts on blitzing the pick-and-roll.

Mixing up blitzes with other forms of pick-and-roll coverage would be best for the Cavaliers but the players must still be aggressive at the point of attack. There will be more fouls called but with the Cleveland Cavaliers only averaging 18.8 personal fouls per game (4th-best mark in the league), they’ll still be better off for playing more aggressive defense and attempting to force turnovers.

Related Story: Can the Cavs win it all?