Blatt: Cavaliers 'ran out of gas' in loss to Raptors
The Cavaliers held a two-point lead with under nine minutes to play in Toronto on Wednesday, before the Raptors used a 17-5 run over the next seven minutes or so to take control and hand Cleveland its fourth loss of the season.
LeBron James wasn't pleased, obviously, and the way things played out caused a players-only meeting in the locker room afterward. Head coach David Blatt wasn't as concerned, however, and said that his team simply ran out of gas.
It seems as though LeBron is taking every early-season loss harder than necessary, especially when considering the players who are out due to injury.
James played 40 minutes in this one, Tristan Thompson played 37, J.R. Smith played 36 and Kevin Love played 35, so it's very possible that fatigue was a real factor in the loss, and one that won't be an issue once Cleveland gets healthy later in the season.
Head coach David Blatt said he felt fatigue and their numerous injures played a factor in the loss.
"I thought that we got tired for obvious reason," he said. "We are very shorthanded. I thought our guys played hard. I thought we ran out of gas."
James was later asked about fatigue and he said, "No, it's not an excuse." Well, what about the injuries? He quickly responded, "It's not an excuse. ... We got to get better" and then voiced his disappointment and concern with the absence of physical play.
"It's all a mindset," James stated. "It comes from within. I've always had it. My upbringing had me like that, so it's either you got it or don't."
