Game #57: Cavaliers (34-22) vs. Wizards (33-24); EMERGENCY THREAD

[inliner311]

It felt like people didn't know their roles or what they were supposed to be doing on defense tonight. There was actually some decent individual defense but repeated glaring breakdowns when the Wizards moved the ball around

I think this starts happening when Lue starts playing guys in different positions. I saw it start to break down when Hood was in for Cedi. The defense tends to look better when guys are in their natural positions.

I wish we had one more forward, either a PF or SF. I think it could smooth out the rotation better. Korver really isn't a SF. Cedi seem fine at SF with the starters, I don't know if that would translate to the bench.

 

[Flight479]

Not going to be too down about this one. Very poor shooting and spotty defense tonight. The biggest problem that I have with this team and past teams is that we only go when Lebron goes. Kyrie minimized some of that when he was here. But the 1st quarter was perfect, then it just stops. I have not yet bitched much about Lue, but he is going to have to figure this out quickly and then again when Love returns. I love Cedi, but I really do not think he will be in the rotation when Love returns.
One other thing that disappointed me, both Nance & Clarkson mentioned the lack of actual "live" practice stating this was new to them and that the teams approach during practice is more a verbal walk thru. Really wish they would practice more especially with all of the new/young additions.

Does Lue not have actual practice because he never has a plan? Is he afraid guys will figure out how simple he is? It's a bad look that different players are continually saying this.

 

[inliner311]

1. Need more from George Hill on both ends.

2. Lue rotations are all over the place, I was worried that would happen. The more options you give him the worse it is. Also seems like the new guys were better before Lue and Lombardi started coaching them, like when they played off instinct. That is alarming.

3. The Wiz were camping off Tristan all night - his role needs to be way reduced. Can’t wait until Love comes back.

Yea I think this team is better off finding their own way on both ends of the floor. Lue's "system" seems to slow everyone down. The ball starts to stick and guys try to start trying to ISO when Lue's plays break down. We saw set plays not working tonight.

I still think this defensive scheme is too complex for anyone to figure out. It's been the same problems for the last 2.5 years. It gets especially bad when guys are asked to play outside their natural position.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

It's interesting because the defense was solid early, but once the Wiz started really whipping the ball around our rotations started to break down. You have to think that will improve with time.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Seemed like Lue was searching for lineups...we should've been blown out the way Washington shot Vs the way we shot...we'll be alright

Problem is: Lue's not as smart as us; he takes way too long to figure things out.

 

[Tlyons]

These guys are playing like they're working in 4 new players!!!!

Relax



Edit: TT makes my eyes hurt though

 

[Certo17]

All I know is if this team does start to fall apart again.. not saying and definitely don’t think it will.. especially not based off this one game.. BUT if it does.. it’s all on Lue in my opinion and we will clearly need a new coach or it doesn’t matter what new players we bring in. We looked much better the last 2 games with the new guys when they pretty much were just winging it without practicing our/lues plays and system he runs. They looked their best against Boston without any practices at all basically..

 

[billmac91]

Trash game and trash officiating.

I do wish LeBron or Lue would go ahead and get ejected on some of these awful calls. It'd make a difference going forward...

 

[Ozcavs89]

Typical..lebron got the calls early in the piece but thar disappeared down the stretch when the game was in the balance

 

[David.]

How the hell did Vegas get this one right

 

[Andrew]

The sky is falling, break this team up.

 

[Sebastian]

A lot of turnovers on amazing, but cute, passes by LeBron and the PGs to guys.

Guys aren't used to each other yet, and definitely not used to LeBron's vision. Once they are 100% in sync they will kill it.

 

[MarkyCavs88]

needed more Clarkson , Nance and Osman at times last night , only 16-17 minutes each for them. hill shot was off and played 31 minutes. Thompson 28 minutes. just didn't work. hopefully we bounce back tonight and then look forward to Spurs game on sunday.

 

[FritzLn]

This is the most concerning part. We keep banking on LeBron flipping a defensive switch in the playoffs.... but we have more and more evidence mounting, going back to last year (including the playoffs), that it just doesn't exist anymore.

The "evidence" is that LeBron must be perfect all game whereas other supposed great players (and MVPs) are afforded the luxury of conserving energy and picking their spots. Then you have spoiled fans who cry that he lost because he just doesn't care enough. Uppity negro!

 

[Tlyons]

LeBron doesnt have to play perfect.

A defensive rotation would be nice though.