Random stuff on the Cavaliers as they enter Friday’s game at New Orleans:
• Something strange is going on here, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m talking strictly about basketball and not any off-the-court stuff (imagined or otherwise). People have said it’s an effort thing, and that’s certainly part of it. But it’s also pretty clear the Cavs are having chemistry issues, and not responding to Mike Brown’s coaching.
• Granted, it’s early. And I don’t have any major issues with the Cavs being 4-8. I didn’t expect them to be better than 5-7 or 6-6 at this point anyway. There was too much of an overhaul in philosophy from last season. Brown wants the Cavs to defend. They didn’t do it at all last year. They’re only doing it sometimes now.
• Anyway, back to the losing. Again, the fact the Cavs have done it more than they’ve won is not a surprise. It’s how they’ve lost that troubles me. They got rocked at Minnesota. They held a players-only meeting after -- then lost at home to Charlotte. So what good did the meeting even do? Then, as soon as it seemed like things were getting really bad, they win an overtime thriller at Washington.
• Three days without a game followed. Brown indicated Monday and Tuesday practices went well. Then the Cavs fell behind by 27 points to the Wizards, at HOME, before showing some real urgency way too late. Again, some of that is effort. But not all of it. Some of it looks like guys just not knowing how to play together. That’s a bigger issue than effort to me. You can play with all the energy in the world, but if you don’t understand your teammates’ tendencies, where they want the ball, and so on, there’s gonna be problems.
• Individually, they haven’t looked much better. Anderson Varejao has had some nice moments, but overall appears way out of sorts. Kyrie Irving can’t keep waiting until the second half to turn it on. Tristan Thompson scored two points the other night. I have no clue what to make of Dion Waiters anymore, and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett seems terrified.
• So how do you fix it? Heck if I know. Believe it or not, Amico has no magic elixir. I think you start by shuffling the lineup, which Brown has done and will continue to do.
• Since I know Brown must be sitting around waiting to hear from me, I would see if the following works as a starting unit: Andrew Bynum at center, Varejao at power forward, Waiters at shooting guard and Irving at the point. Then I’d start Bennett at small forward. Yes, that guy.
• I’m sorry, but you’re getting nothing (at least not enough) from Alonzo Gee or Earl Clark at small forward. Bennett isn’t really this bad, is he? Maybe starting would build his confidence. It sure can’t get much worse. And if it doesn’t work, so what? You’re losing to Charlotte and Washington at home. A lot isn’t working right now.
• You could also replace Waiters in the lineup with C.J. Miles (when Miles is healthy again). Brown, of course, has already done that. Other than Bynum, Matthew Dellavedova and Henry Sims, Miles is the one guy who seems to “bring it” every second he’s on the floor. Jarrett Jack usually does too, but like some of the others, he too often is discombobulated.
• Meanwhile, Bynum just doesn’t have his game back yet. He’s not really in playing shape. But he still makes a difference and gets an “A” for effort. For a guy who’s taken so much grief over the years, a guy who had a reputation for not loving the game, he’s been busting his behind. And you know all about Dellavadova and Sims, especially Dellavedova. If everyone played as hard and with as much enthusiasm as those guys, the Cavs wouldn’t be having these issues.
• I haven’t spoken with owner Dan Gilbert, and don’t really know him personally, but I can tell you he was livid after the loss to the Wizards. He didn’t tell me that, and I didn’t see him. But I know enough about him to guarantee he is not the least bit happy with the way things are going. He expects the Cavs to take a big step this year. Like the rest of us, he’s not seeing it.
• As you already know, Gilbert is extremely passionate and he’s been unbelievably patient. It’s been very difficult for him watching the team finish last in the Central Division for three straight years. But he gutted it out and kept the faith through the process. Now, he expects results.
• That means no more losing home games to so-so (at best) opponents. That’s bad for business. And general manager Chris Grant has been afforded two No. 1 overall picks and two No. 4 overall picks (as well as a No. 17 and No. 19) over the past three years. For Gilbert, it’s time to see some progress -- and it’s not like that’s asking for too much.
• This isn’t intended to sound like an obituary. At least it’s still early. And at least the majority of the Eastern Conference stinks right now. But those types of excuses are getting old fast. The Cavs have to play better, period. You can’t just blame coaching, either. Even if chemistry issues exist, they can be overcome with good (preferably great) defense. That’s what Brown wants. He isn’t the problem.
• To me, Brown remains the solution. The players just need to listen. If they do that, and it still doesn’t work, then it falls on the coach. I’m a firm believer, still, that won’t be the case. It might be different if the Cavs didn’t have these same problems last year -- under a completely different coach with a completely different system. The fact they are repeating last season’s mistakes shows it wouldn’t matter if you brought in Red Auerbach or Phil Jackson. The guys on the court need to dig deep, display some pride, and prove they’re as good as they say they can be. It isn’t just gonna happen. It takes work, sacrifice and genuine desire.
• Things aren’t about to get any easier, either. The Pelicans are much-improved, particularly second-year big man Anthony Davis. After that, the Cavs get last year’s Finalists in back-to-back games -- at San Antonio on Saturday, then defending champion Miami at home Wednesday. It’d be super awesome if the Cavs could win two of the three. But just as important is, if they lose, they do it after giving their all and playing the right way. That you can handle. That shows progress. And hey, fellas, it’s time for some of that stuff.
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
