Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 ways the defense can be much better this season

Getting better in defensive transition

The Cavaliers were one of the league’s oldest teams last year. Many of their regular rotation players were not suited to get back quick enough in defensive transition after live-ball turnovers or after missed shots created leak-out rebounds. That sort of issue was one of the key reasons they nearly lost in the first round against the more athletic Indiana Pacers, and it was clearly on display in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

According to Synergy Sports, Cleveland graded out in the 35th percentile as a team in defensive transition last year, and they were in those situations often. Only five teams had a higher frequency in that play type. With younger bodies getting more of the minutes share this year, they shouldn’t be bum-rushed for easy shots as often in 2018-19. While players such as Korver, Smith, and Frye are very capable perimeter shooters, they can also be exposed on the break on defense. While they did defend this three-point possibility well, they did forget one thing, and this happened throughout the season. Transition lay-ups are two points.

Cleveland needs to monitor that better, and get back more effectively next season to not have players such as Korver be their last line of defense as frequently.

LeBron had his share of defensive lowlights last season, too, and this wasn’t the first time he didn’t get back on D last year.

With Sexton, Nwaba, Osman, Hood and Osman, among others out there, there shouldn’t be lack of hustle.

As the Cavaliers try to bring forth new culture post-James, they’ll need to provide more resistance near the rim and force opponents to earn their points more in the halfcourt.