“I feel like I’m back in Cleveland”
LeBron uttered those words following a yet another loss in the playoffs where he had to carry his team. At the time, he probably didn’t know he would find himself back in Cleveland facing the same problem.
People are quick to blame Lebron for all of the Cavs woes. And to a certain extent some of it is fair, Lebron the “pseudo GM” certainly has had some misses in Cleveland but even as someone that has called Love and Irving selfish, overrated one-dimensional players who have never been in a big game: I couldn’t haven’t envisioned this.
First let’s go to the availability. Love and Kyrie are injured so frequently that it doesn’t allow the team to actually build on the court chemistry. Availability is one of the most underrated traits of NBA players. So when it mattered the most let’s take a look at the Cavs finals Roster from Bron’s two trips to the finals… Close to a decade apart.
2007- Larry Hughes, Drew Good, Ilgauskas, Varejao, Eric Snow, Sasha Pavlovic and Boobie Gibson
2015- Mozgov, Jr Smith, Tristan Thompson, Dellavedova, Shumpert, James Jones and … well, there is no one else.
You’d be very hard-pressed to make a case that 2015 had more talent.. And that 2007 supporting cast is HISTORICALLY bad. Bron dragged them to a game six vs a GREAT warriors team. But somehow we find a way to #blamelebron.
Now Let’s go to this year… Many people are under the impression that Lebron is having an “off year” by his standards. No Lebron is just playing fewer minutes…. Let’s take a look at Lebron’s best season in Miami per 36:
2011-2012: 26 PPG 7.6 RPG 6.0 APG
2015-2016: 25 PPG 7.5 RPG 6.6 APG
So if Lebron is playing relatively at the same level… what gives? Why the struggle for the Cavs? Let’s look at the other parts of the “Big 3” and the narratives.
Love doesn’t get the ball enough
“Kevin Love needs more elbow touches…They turned him into Ryan Anderson and that’s why he is struggling”. That’s convenient and while love certainly needs more touches that’s not why he is struggling. When love gets the ball in his supposed spots he’s been downright awful.
Kevin Love is shooting 37% on wide open shots(classified as no defender within six feet) this year.
Love is shooting 34% on mid-range(8-16Feet)jumpers… That’s the “elbow” touches everyone has been clamoring for.
Kyrie isn’t the primary ball handler
Now onto Kyrie. It’s one thing for Kyrie to not be able to be the primary creator with Lebron on the team… It’s another thing for him to take a back seat to Matthew Dellavedova in the playmaking area and that’s EXACTLY what has happened. As Dellavedova is averaging the same amount of assist as Kyrie in fewer minutes. Now onto the bad part…
Kyrie is shooting 34% on catch and shoot FGA.
Kyrie is shooting 37% on Wide open shots .. and 31% on wide open shots outside of ten feet
If you are playing with one of the most gifted passers ever and you are an all-star level player who can’t hit wide open shots…. Guess what… Some chemistry issues are probably going to pop up.
This year the Kevin Love and Kyrie are 76ers Bad when they share the floor with Lebron… Actually that’s an insult to the 76ers… Kyrie and Love are -9.8 PP 100 possessions without Lebron on the Floor…. That’s the 76ers with no Ish Smith or Nerlens Noel bad…. Since the King has returned to Clevland the Cavs are 3-12 without Lebron in the lineup… So let’s stop the hyperbole of Lebron being so difficult to play with.
If you want to #blamebron… Blame GM LeBron, but not the player. King James is still holding up his end of the bargain.
