Z played tough ..that was what stood out. Pretty much the rest went to script. Lebron and Jones gave little effort outside of trying to get their offensive numbers ..whoever they guarded went off ...help defense was maybe a little better but describing it as erratic could be construed as improvement I guess ...
We're playing bad basketball ...our defense is slowly becoming a cancer that is eating away at the team. The core of the problems last year that eventually lead to our demise was JMac and Lebron's lack of effort, and this year.,.if not addressed will be Lebron and Jones not giving adequate effort defensively.
Mike Brown stresses defense at every turn, and knows how to teach it. But, a problem exists when your best player and leader on the court refuses to exude effort and desire to play it. The other players inevitably will follow his lead ......if Lebron would finally get it, and start developing a consistent work ethic on the defensive end, it would rub off and this team would turn the corner. But, if that doesn't happen, this team will never turn the corner and reach their potential .,.,which is quite high this year.
The question is, what will it take to get it through Lebron's head that he must start playing consistently hard on the defensive end ? A benching ? Could the CHOSEN ONE be set as an example by a rookie coach ? Don't think so ...Larry Brown could get away with that, but not Mike Brown .....somehow, someway ...Lebron's gotta get it ....he holds the key ...