sorting out the defense?

[Adam]

You can almost see a defensive system starting to show. We have various defenses of the p+r, with bigs deciding between hard shows and switching. We have an emphasis on multiple contests, even if that means a guard ends up on a big when the shot goes up. We have selective use of doubling the post from the baseline and top. Nothing revolutionary there but still much much better than a month ago.

All this is good but it really just comes down to lebron trying and that holding the other to account, nothing is as contagious as a poor work ethic

 

[Sebastian]

Kyrie has impressed me lately. He is everywhere and irritating whomever he is guarding. See Wall the other night. He is about to take a quantum leap to the next level of greatness on both sides of the ball.

I think he has realized what it takes and is finally embracing it. LeBron's influence is showing.

 

[Douglar]

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland...-s-big-night-1.545577?localLinksEnabled=false

24. One stat that has been overlooked: The Cavs have only allowed four fast-break points in their last two games. The Pacers are never a team that really gets up and down the floor and runs, but that’s awfully impressive – and much different than the losing streak.

25. James said part of the reason he was optimistic about the defense turning around last week when the numbers declared otherwise was because of the Cavs’ turnovers.

26. “Our offense was really what was killing us at the time (last week),” James said. “We were turning the ball over way too much, and when you’re turning the ball over, it doesn’t allow you to set your defense. That was the huge thing. That’s why we were giving up high numbers as far as opponents’ field-goal percentage.”

27. That has been cleaned up. After averaging 18 turnovers a game during the four-game losing streak, the Cavs are averaging 10.7 turnovers during the winning streak. Most coaches can live with anything around 14 and below.​

 

[wuck]

You can almost see a defensive system starting to show. We have various defenses of the p+r, with bigs deciding between hard shows and switching. We have an emphasis on multiple contests, even if that means a guard ends up on a big when the shot goes up. We have selective use of doubling the post from the baseline and top. Nothing revolutionary there but still much much better than a month ago

I'm wondering if Blatt/Lue have cut back a bit on the zone. I think that murky/disguised zones would be useful to develop as the season goes along, but if they can just get better at the non-revolutionary stuff first, I am fine with that.

 

[Adam]

I'm wondering if Blatt/Lue have cut back a bit on the zone. I think that murky/disguised zones would be useful to develop as the season goes along, but if they can just get better at the non-revolutionary stuff first, I am fine with that.

Agreed you've got to walk before you can run. Early on they were zoning up during to secondary help then expecting guts to match up before the next action, that's too far for this squad right now. If they can get there by the playoffs I will be impressed it seems really hard especially with this personnel

 

[Douglar]

Cavs won a game without scoring over 100 points. Does that mean the defense is finally getting better?

 

[wuck]

Cavs won a game without scoring over 100 points. Does that mean the defense is finally getting better?

On the positive side, the Cavs have been selectively able to go to the zone (in part to hide Miller) in recent games, and they haven't looked lost, like they did at the start of the season. It's been effective for them.

On the minus side, they have had to go to the zone seemingly out of desperation.

One step at a time....

 

[Cavsfan161]

Certainly been big improvement last 5 or 6 games

 

[wuck]

From Lloyd:

15. James was frustrated after the game with the few possessions the Cavs seemed to relax defensively because the Raptors seemed to score every time, but the progress this team has made on defense is such a short period of time is truly astonishing.

16. They’re on the verge of cracking the top 20 in defensive field-goal percentage after languishing around 28th just a couple weeks ago. They began the night 12th in points allowed and 16th in defensive efficiency. The higher those rankings climb, the more confidence it instills this team can do some great things.

 

[KI4MVP]

^^ moved up a spot in both to 11th in points allowed/15th in efficiency after last night. We've allowed just 89.7 ppg during the winning streak. Last night was the least points the Raptors have scored in a game all season and only the 3rd time they were even held to under a 100 points (Memphis and Chicago were the other two).

 

[Dungong]

The effort is way up, and not surprising the numbers are better and the team is winning. The main difference has been Kyrie and I think some time to get used to playing with each other, knowing the rotations, etc. If we're able to nail down the zone for 15 minutes a game it gives a good opportunity to throw something unique out there. The first few games it was used, it was a mess because the guys just didnt know what to do.

 

[Just Checkin]

Just saying, we're 1st in our division now with our tough schedule.

Things are looking up. Let's keep it going.

 

[Cavsfan161]

Just saying, we're 1st in our division now with our tough schedule.

Things are looking up. Let's keep it going.

Meanwhile other teams in the east are losing.

 

[wuck]

Individually and as a team, the Cavs excelled on defense in the 2nd half tonight. Fun to watch the guards block shots, the help rotate and get steals, and the big guys hit the glass. Zone was effective again in spurts.

Better defense is starting to look a lot like a trend, not statistical noise.

 

[Cavatt]

They weren't great in the first half, but it is really good to see this consistent effort on d for multiple quarters and even game to game.

I'm also loving the coaching adjustments. Things that burn the team in the first half rarely continue in the second.