King James Gospel
Fansided

3 weaknesses of the Cavs roster

By Quenton S. Albertie

Cleveland Cavaliers' logo (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers' logo (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 31: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 31: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Limited rim-protection

Between Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr. and even Ante Zizic, there’s limited rim-protection on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

Not one of the aforementioned player has even managed to average 1.0 block per game for their career.

For Thompson, his lack of vertical explosiveness and height often undermines his basketball IQ, lateral mobility and defensive tenacity. Nance Jr., equally undersized at 6-foot-9, has the athleticism, IQ and defensive tenacity to develop into a game-changing rim-protector but right now his defensive contributions are usually interceptions in the passing lane.

Zizic, for all of his size (6-foot-11, 250) lacks the foot speed and athleticism as Thompson and Nance Jr. which hinders his ability to be a game-changing shot-blocker. So too does his seeming focus on only displaying his offensive gifts as he tries to get playing time.

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Billy Preston, a two-way player, could be their best shot-blocker because he has the physical tools and defensive tenacity to be an effective rim-protector. However, he can only spend up to 45 days with the team unless they convert his contract from a two-way to a rookie scale deal.

Outside of these four players, there’s almost no hope for real rim-protection.

Kevin Love’s struggles to be an effective defensive big man are only subdued by focusing on team defense and positioning like teammate, friend and fellow stretch big Channing Frye.

Frye, who has a bit more agility than given credit for, knows how to use his reach to alter shots around the rim. He just would have to get into the rotation.

No matter what, there isn’t an elite — or even above-average — rim-protector on the team.