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Cleveland Cavaliers don't have personnel capable of fixing countless defensive issues: Chris Fedor
Author: Chris Fedor
Publication: Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers were hemorrhaging points on defense even before Isaiah Thomas made his long-awaited season debut.
Jae Crowder hasn't lived up to his reputation as a tough and rugged 3-and-D wing. He's also out of position, a 6-foot-6 small forward moved over one spot to accommodate Cleveland's other starters. JR Smith has taken a massive step back, falling from his "best-defensive-player" perch that he was placed on by head coach Tyronn Lue a few years ago. LeBron James' effort fluctuates. Kevin Love is asked to protect the paint in a new small-ball, all-shooters starting lineup. Tristan Thompson hasn't been nearly as disruptive.
Cleveland has a personnel problem.
But the biggest stands just 5-foot-9. It's Thomas, who has been among the league's worst defenders for years and is already the team's weakest.
Add it all up and Saturday's result happens, with the Cavs allowing 148 points, matching the most in franchise history, tying the horrible mark set in 1972 when the Cavs were an expansion team. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
LeBron James hopes Tyronn Lue isn't fired because of Cavaliers' struggles
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James said he hopes Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue isn't fired over the team's porous play, but "I really don't know" what's going to happen to him or anyone else.
"I don't know what's going to happen with our team," James said after the Cavs were run out of their own building, 148-124, by the Oklahoma City Thunder. "I have no idea what conversations have been going on. Me personally, I've been trying to stay as laser-sharp as I can to keep my guys ready to go out and play. Obviously, it hasn't resulted in wins, but I got to stay as fresh mentally as much I can with the struggles.
"I can't worry about job securities and trades and things of that nature."
No one inside the organization suggested Saturday that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was preparing to fire the only coach who's won a championship for this organization, and Lue will not make changes to his coaching staff. But some sort of reckoning could be coming.
The 148 points allowed tied a franchise record that's stood since 1972. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
LeBron's 30,000: The 8,000 points that don't count toward 30,000
Author: Doug Lesmerises
Publication: Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James didn't reach 30,000 points Saturday, scoring 18 points in a 148-124 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder that left him seven points shy of the mark in his NBA career.
But we know he really passed 30,000 points long ago.
James is still chasing 30,000 points in the NBA regular season, in which he has played 1,106 regular-season games. But think of all the other games he has played since he turned pro that don't count toward 30,000.
There's at least another 8,000 points there.
PLAYOFF POINTS: 6,163 points - CLICK HERE to read full story.
More Daily Press Links:
- (1/21) Cavaliers reach wrong milestones in 148-124 blowout loss to Oklahoma City Thunder Cleveland.com
- (1/21) Tyronn Lue on potential Cavaliers trades: 'I like what we have' Cleveland.com
- (1/21) LeBron's 30,000: How many points has he scored during Browns' season, or Indians'? Cleveland.com
- (1/21) LeBron James said Cleveland an early exit in playoffs right now: Cavaliers-Thunder rewind Cleveland.com
- (1/21) LeBron's 30,000: Under which coach has LeBron James scored the most points? Cleveland.com
- (1/21) Thunder Roll Cavaliers in Saturday Matinee Cavs.com
- (1/21) Thunder 148, Cavaliers 124: LeBron James’ chase of 30,000 points must wait as Cavs give up franchise-tying total Akron Beacon Journal
- (1/21) Cavaliers report: Lack of trust, accountability, effort in Cavs’ defensive collapse could bring changes Akron Beacon Journal
- (1/21) Cavs trade rumors grow louder as deadline nears | Jeff Schudel News-Herald
- (1/21) Thunder blast Cavs, 148-124 News-Herald
- (1/21) Cavs at low-water mark, sinking fast | David S. Glasier News-Herald
- (1/21) Final Thoughts: The Cavs are broken and no one knows yet how to fix them The Athletic
- (1/21) Players Take Blame For Cavs Woes, Admit Trust Is Lacking Defensively 92.3 the Fan
- (1/21) Thunder-Struck: Oklahoma City Rolls Cavs 148-124 92.3 the Fan
- (1/21) LeBron on whether Lue could be fired: ‘I hope not’ Amico Hoops
- (1/21) Dribbles: Only change can save Cavs now Amico Hoops
- (1/21) When not if: Reckoning coming for Cavaliers Amico Hoops
- (1/21) LBJ: ‘I’ve never in my basketball life gave up 148 points’ Amico Hoops
- (1/21) Cavs’ Thomas: In Boston, ‘We played a lot harder’ on defense Amico Hoops
- (1/21) 5 Quick Takes: Thunder storm past Cavaliers Amico Hoops
- (1/21) On cusp of 30K, Donovan praises LBJ’s passing fancy Amico Hoops
- (1/21) Tyronn Lue says he's not yet considering a lineup change following Cleveland Cavaliers' blowout loss WKYC
- (1/21) LeBron: We can 'easily get bounced early' if playoffs started today ESPN.com
- (1/21) OKC stars yet again show up for big test in blowout win ESPN.com
- (1/21) LeBron James May No Longer Be Enough to Carry the Cavs and Their Terrible Defense to the Finals Sports Illustrated