King James Gospel
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3 takeaways from Cavs’ historically bad home loss to Clippers

By Corey Casey

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton talks with Cleveland head coach John Beilein in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton talks with Cleveland head coach John Beilein in-game. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers huddle up prior to a game versus the LA Clippers. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Takeaway #1: Drummond will help some, but won’t fix the many flaws still on the roster

I didn’t have any problem with the trade itself to get Drummond in which Cleveland reportedly dealt expiring veterans John Henson and Brandon Knight, along with a future second-round pick, which was an extremely small price to get a two-time All-Star big.

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Drummond will make the Cavs a little better, as he is by far their best shot blocking presence, and the only legitimate one, really, but he doesn’t fix the many flaws on their roster. Drummond is a better interior defender than Tristan Thompson, but the former Piston can’t defend perimeter players on switches as competently as Thompson.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are pretty terrible defensively 1-4 in terms of starters’ individually, and in a league today that is dominated by guards and bigger wings, Cleveland doesn’t really have anyone currently in the starting lineup that can consistently hold their own on a nightly basis.

That leads to far too many breakdowns.

The Cavs need multiple wings, but it became more evident in this game when the Cavs had Larry Nance Jr., Kevin Love and Drummond on the floor at the same time. I found it interesting the Cavs had three bigs on the floor at the same time in a league that has continued to go more away from that and go small.

Back in the 90’s or even 15 years ago, it was believed you could never have enough bigs, but the value on old school bigs who have their back to the basket and typically play near the paint has diminished.

Granted, Nance is a far better shooter than was previously the case, and obviously Love is a terrific shooter and all three can secondary playmake, and overall, Drummond will help and I believe centers still have value.

Nonetheless, centers such as Drummond can only have so much impact in a league that has gone small and is dominated by wings and guards that are such tough covers.