The Nudge
2014-01-24It’s fair to say that this Cavaliers season is not going the way anyone planned or hoped it would. Even the Master of Measured Expectations, Mike Brown, who warned everyone that things might get shakier before they started to get better, couldn’t have planned for the overall lack of mental and physical toughness displayed by his young team time and time again this year.
“You’d have thought we were down 20 points by our body language,” Kyrie Irving said following the team’s latest deflation at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. “We were only down six points.”
It’s somewhat encouraging to hear Irving, at least, admit to his team’s lack of cohesion and belief in each other. It shows that he’s watching the same games as the rest of us. Still, after the fact, it’s very easy to cop to what went wrong out on the court. What would be really encouraging is if Irving and some other Cavs were able to translate an understanding of why they’re failing into correction of said behavior. Until then it’s just more losing.
And losing is like a ticking clock on this team. Losing is the reason that Chris Grant traded for Luol Deng, not because he was “panicked,” as those who disagreed with the trade as potentially only a half-season rental argued, but because losing, we all know, begets a losing culture and makes additional losing easier to swallow for young players who come into the league used to losing, at the most, rarely.
But is that really the case?
Do young players have to experience winning for winning to continue? You can just as easily argue that eventually players who are meant to lead franchises get tired of losing — get sick of it — and start to buy in to the rigorous mental and physical commitment it takes to succeed on a winning level as a professional basketball player. There need to be examples laid in front of them, sure but, at the end of the day, it’s on the player to choose in which direction he will go.
That’s potentially the type of transformation we’re seeing in John Wall this year. It’s not just that Wall’s numbers are up across the board (pretty much) in his fourth pro season. It’s also not just that Wall talks about how he has to focus on the defensive end of the floor first in order for the team to be successful. Both of these things are true. But Wall, this year, is showing stronger and more mature leadership on the floor. He doesn’t just say the things he should do, he’s starting to actually do them. The Wizards, while not exactly giant slayers this season, are at least nudging themselves in the right direction — and it’s that nudging that the Cavs are missing from their young players who, more and more, are coming under fire for not playing as a team.
Grant and Brown hoped Deng would be that nudge and, to his credit, Deng has tried. He’s said all the right things. He’s pointed out what needs to be corrected. By all accounts, the young players really look up to Deng and respect him. He’s trying to nudge by resume and example. But the future of this franchise is tied up in four high draft picks all of whom are 22 years old or younger (and, yes, I’m throwing Anthony Bennet into that mix … stop laughing). None of them want to lose but, right now, none of them is secure enough with their long-term role in the league to really dig in and start nudging.
Cavs fans hoped this would be the year Irving would be able to start leading that way. His long-term role in the league appeared clear: a max-level scorer and shooter. But going from “max-level scorer and shooter” to “sublimates his game for both individual and team success” could be a long turn of the screw and the NBA futures of Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Bennet are still, to varying degrees, undecided.
None of this is to pick overly hard at Irving. It’s just to further point out the problems teams face when their point guard is also their best scorer. It’s also to point out the problems teams face when their best players are not their best leaders.
So, what is the equation? How many veteran leaders and good locker room guys does it take to nudge a core of young, talented, still-developing players in the right direction? It’s not Jarrett Jack, Andrew Bynum and Earl Clark plus last year’s roster. It’s not even Jack, Clark and Deng plus last year’s roster.
As frustrating as it is to consider, it might still just be too soon for this group. Or they might be the wrong group. Or a combination of both.
Are we asking too much from a group of 22-and-unders to figure it out, play a mature game and win? Yeah, probably. Maybe, down the line, the Deng move will be credited for giving Irving, Waiters or Thompson his Obi-Wan. Maybe it’s another coaching change. Maybe, like with Wall, it’s just more losing — and one or two of these guys, one or two years down the line, do what Wall did in his post-extension-signing year: start nudging.
$ (aka Bill) :
Cavs are waaaaay better on defense this year. 2.5 points/hundred possessions better and ranked 18th in the league in D-rating compared to 27th. Way better.
Arch,
You are right. It is hard not to overreact.
I was getting blasted for suggesting the TT pick deserved an A+ two days ago. Now others are calling him the future of our team. I don’t think he ever makes the All-star game or averages 15 but he’s a good player fom a horrific draft.
Raoul you’re moving player grades based on one nice win against the worst team in the NBA? Sample size?
The Bulls game was so pathetic than no one on CtB could muster the energy to argue! Tonight was a little more like it. I hope to see this against some better teams.
I am moving most of the players’ grade up a half step.
Great write-up. “The Nudge” sounds like something Malcolm Gladwell would talk about, like 10000 Hours or opportunities. you could probably write a short book on this, Robert, and how the best teams in any sport have that nudge(s).
@ Underdog: LMAO. We played Milwaukee, dude. I agree with 53.2% of what you said. The big butt Tristan thing put you over 50%.
I love Tristan Thompson. He is in my opinion the future of this team. He will eventually grow as a player and begin to nudge in the right direction i think. Dion Waiters in my opinion is going to be our 6th man for the future, the guy that comes off the bench and puts points on the board when our starters are resting. I think Irving will eventually begin to play more for the team and not just be a statistical monster. Anthony Bennett was the biggest bust pick I have ever seen, he so far has proven he… Read more »
My apologies. I’ve had a couple this Friday night. Signing off.
One of Tristan Thompson’s greatest attributes is his big butt. Surprisingly, his rebounding success does not come from using it and boxing out. His rebounds largely come from jumping ability and hard work. Once he grows into his butt and starts using it he’ll be dominant – despite his height limitation.
Kyrie and Varejao really have the two man game going. Varejao – our best player and an all star. Kyrie looking a little Chris Paul-ish again. Alas, it is against Memphis. I noticed that when Deng came in and didn’t know any plays we had to play street ball. He did well and the offense looked good. He’s learned a few plays and the offense has become more structured and he doesn’t stand out as much. It’s the 3rd quarter and we’re on a roll. We need to sub for the starters one or two at a time so we… Read more »
All I ask of Zeller is for him to stay tough defensively and on the boards – as he has (somewhat) this year . . . and to reliably hit the 12-15 footer like “Z” used to. Oh, and get 2 “tip ins” a night . . . like “Z” used to.
I just don’t understand how a guy who reputedly was able to consistently knock down 12 footers and has shot a basketball every day over the last 10 years can’t do it now. What gives?
Any game that Dion is not pouting for one reason or another – he needs to get more minutes than anyone. If he pouts – sit him.
Waiters missed his first few shots (as usual) but now he’s heating up. He’s just a guy that needs a lot of touches and take a lot of shots. If he shoots once every 2-3 minutes he’s pretty worthless. When he’s in the flow he starts cooking. You don’t even have to watch Dion to know if he’s had a good game. Afterwards, if he’s covered with sweat you know he did.
So our starters were on a 17-0 run and Brown took all the starters out at pretty much the same time. Now it’s a one point game. Maybe the problem is Mike Brown.
Raoul, I think that was a great post. I pretty much agree with your assessments. You showed a lot of restraint and patience for a team that has frequently played selfishly and below its talent level, sometimes lacked intensity, and has been very difficult to watch. I think we need to have a realistic view of Jack and Clark – which you provided. Unfortunately, though, Jack’s inability – as a point guard – to make the players around him better has hurt the team. Since we have been on the topic of Kyrie, I had a thought. If we sometimes… Read more »
TV63, Grayrat, and Underdog: OK, I exaggerated the situation. In particular, KI is obviously a great offensive talent. I get kind of down on him because at the 1.5 year point, he seemed on the way to being a superstar. Since then he has leveled off. But it is hard to see this bunch growing into a championship contender. Here is why I worry: 1. Obviously AV and LD are great players to have on a team, but they are both late in their career, and unsigned for next year. There is a good chance that either or both will… Read more »
“This team is playing below their talent level.” Agreed. So we’ve all noted that Kyrie still has holes in his game. But offensively I’ve seen him do things that MJ and LeBron haven’t done. That being so, you can’t dismiss him at age 22. I don’t like the way we show on the PnR . . . and I don’t like the way we sag away from the player we’re defending. When you sag you have to run out to defend. Either you’re too late and they hit an open shot, or they go by you as you run out.… Read more »
@ Raoul This teams performance can easily obscure the talent level on this team. They are playing below their talent level IMO. An Irving, Miles, Deng, TT, Andy with Zeller, Jack, Waiters, Clarke, Delly/Bennett – is not a horrible team. As far as Irving in the ASG – it’s not a stretch. Irving is a serious talent – the guy can explode offensively, a lethal scorer at times – 3pt/dribble drive/mid-range pullup. He has those Off skills in an All star way. He does get lost on defense which hurts his team and hurts his overall game when evaluating him.… Read more »
Never D at Any Time” seems to be a stretch. You have to reasonably ask is Kyrie in the top 3 PG that is healthy and available RIGHT NOW in the East. The answer is yes mainly because Rondo and Rose have been injured. Here are some current NBA stats on Irving. Irving is sill #1 in clutch scoring 96 points in last 23 games OVER Lebron. He is 12th League leader overall with no other PG ahead of him. Now in the EAST: Irving is a better 3 point shooter than Wall. He also has a better FG% than… Read more »
Just checked ESPN stats and we are actually a little worse this year on defense this last going on opponents PPG. We were giving up 101.2 PPG last year and 101.9 PPG this year. Offensively we’re exactly the same, 96.5 PPG this year and last.
“the talent and depth is in place with the current roster”: What are you smoking?
A main topic on national sports talk radio today was what a joke it is the KI is a starter on the ASG when he has never played any D at any time.
As a Cavs fan – I want MB to be a great coach. MB being a great coach will lead to the Cavs being a top 4 team, because the talent and depth is in place with the current roster. However in my opinion MB is a subpar coach, and from his history – does not seem to have the respect of his players. It is an assumption and I did not follow the Lakers under Brown – but I would think it is a safe assumption that Kobe wanted Brown out as coach of the lakers. I think the… Read more »
Nope. Just a typo. Should read: “this team has already greatly improved on the DEFENSIVE end of the floor.” My mistake.
I agree with Ross, in that MB is well respected around the league. With that said, I’m not convinced one way or the other that MB is the right coach for THIS Cavs team. It’s interesting that a lot of people complained about B. Scotts player rotations – and he was an offensive coach. So now, with MB, I see a lot of complaining about his rotations and those rotations used to prove he doesn’t know how to coach an offense. I think what both B. Scott and M. Brown learned is that trying to figure out how to put… Read more »
This last post is sarcasm right…”this team has already greatly improved on the offensive end of the floor”? With all the first-time coaches in the league this year that are making strides with rebuilding franchises, I don’t even think that last post warrants a response…I’ve already spent too many words on it.
So sick of all the Mike Brown haters. He’s widely respected around the league. He’s an excellent defensive coach. The team has already greatly improved on the offensive end of the floor. What alternative did you MB haters want? More Byron Scott? Brian Shaw? Someone with little to no track record previously? Newsflash — we are a young, rebuilding franchise. Phil Jackson ain’t walking through that door. Ditto for Coach K, George Karl, or whatever pipe dreams you all have. Mike Brown deserves a lot more respect. You can be a nice guy, a tireless worker, and respected by your… Read more »
I don’t have high hopes for any of these kids to grow up until they have a coach who demands it from them. All the talk about what a nice guy Mike Brown is points right at the problem. The players don’t respect him because of his baffling rotations and total lack of offensive ability, and they don’t fear him because he doesn’t command respect. There is no classier act in the NBA than Deng, but you get the feeling that his initial enthusiasm for reshaping the culture of this team has already been dampened by realizing what a downgrade… Read more »
Great piece, first of all. Thanks.
Too soon to measure the Deng Effect one way or the other. I think he’ll make a clear & positive difference this season. I saw and see no downside to that trade, & Chris Grant deserves all the credit for it.