Cleveland Cavaliers: This postseason has displayed Cleveland’s desperate need for a second superstar
This entire postseason and more specifically the Eastern Conf. Finals have proven that the Cleveland Cavaliers desperately need a second true star.
Even if the Cleveland Cavaliers lose in the Eastern Conference Finals, the LeBron James era is not over. But, just like at the trade deadline, the Cavs must make it a priority to build a better roster, even it includes trading away some coveted assets.
Before we get into the figures behind why James needs more from his teammates, let’s look at the roster composition of some of the team’s still remaining.
The Houston Rockets. The Rockets have an all-time great point guard in his late prime in Chris Paul and the likely MVP winner in James Harden. The Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, a 2x MVP and 4x scoring champ, lead them.
Boston is the only team without a true superstar, but as a team, they’re led by a montage of elite players with budding superstars in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier.
The Cavaliers?
LeBron James leads them, but who else?
At the trade deadline, fans and analysts boasted Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, and George Hill would make a difference. Those three have averaged 4.9, 8.6, and 2.5 points per game in respective order.
But, wait, LeBron has Kevin Love?
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This postseason, Love has averaged just 15.5 points per game, less than half of what James is averaging per game. On top of that, Love’s been rather inefficient, shooting just over 40% from the field. When Love’s role was reduced during his transition from Minnesota to Cleveland, he just wasn’t the same, and even as the Cavs clear second option, he has struggled.
This postseason, James has put up five 40+ point games. He’s 4-1 in those. Meaning that when James fails to hit over 40 points, the Cavs have been just 4-4 this postseason. Forcing James to put up 40 even for a chance to win is an unsustainable strategy for Cleveland, but in the end, it’s what must happen.
To add to that, James didn’t have a teammate score over 20 points in a single game till the second round nor has a Cavalier not named LeBron James posted a triple-double, have a double-digit assist game, or score over 30 (except for Kevin Love in Game 2 against Toronto.) In fact, the Cavs starting point guard has just one game this postseason where he’s recorded five or more assists.
While many that enjoy downplaying James’ success discredit his need for help, it’s clear that James needs another star.
This team traded away a generational point guard with elite handles for Clarkson, Hood, Hill, Zizic, Nance Jr., and the Nets first-round pick. So, unless the Nets first-round pick turns out to be a superstar, Danny Ainge robbed the Cavaliers.
However, he didn’t just rob the Cavs of a superstar, he might’ve robbed the Cavs of their future. While it’s clear the Cavs need a second star, the pool will be limited this offseason. And, the limited pool will draw attention from teams that can offer much more than the Cavs can.
Next: Cavaliers: Lessons from a devastating Game 2 loss
As the offseason draws near, we’ll have a better idea of who’s available, but as of now, Cleveland might have to settle for a player like Paul George, hoping he can revive his career from a disappointing season in Oklahoma City.
To retain LeBron, the Cavs will need a star, but who?