Point Four-ward: Let’s Not Go Crazy

A proposed trade, rebuffed by the Cavs, would have included a swap of Melo and Love.

1.LeBron isn’t happy with the organization right now

Losing six out of eight, including putrid losses to the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans and Sacramento Kings at home, put LeBron James in a position to open up and speak his mind to the media, attacking the organization from the front office down to bench players like Kay Felder and Deandre Liggins. While Coach Lue came out on Wednesday to defend the team, stating that this team is good enough to win a championship, LeBron’s initial words signal the opposite.

Ty Lue says he hasn't read LeBron's comments following Monday's game. Once briefed, said he believes current roster can win a championship.

— Scott (@WFNYScott) January 25, 2017

With the Cavs coming up on the All Star break and management having their annual midseason discussion with LeBron, fans are probably worried about this Cavs team that has been dreadful.  LeBron took a step back after the loss to the Kings saying:

“We got 14 guys in here. We need to be ready every night, who we got in here we got to play. We can’t play fantasy basketball. We got who we got and we got to go out and play.”

The Cavs will be fine but whether it’s intentionally manufactured or not, LeBron is upset with the Cavs right now and he should be because the team has been below expectations in this recent stretch since the new year.

2. A Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love trade wouldn’t help at all

The Knicks, perhaps sensing an opportunity stemming from desperation, called and inquired about a Kevin Love for Carmelo Anthony trade.  Intelligently and swiftly, the Cavs rebuffed the offer quickly, refusing to swap power forwards.  Looking at a potential deal like this, the Cavs lose in many aspects of this deal.  Kevin Love’s contract is longer, smaller per year, and was locked in with the “old” CBA.  Kevin Love is younger, fits in better with LeBron currently, and plays better defense.  The only think Melo has going for him is that LeBron likes him and he is a “playmaker” (or ballstopper).  A trade of this magnitude would seem to break the chemistry that the Big Three have worked so hard to build over the last 2.5 years.  Frankly, it really doesn’t make any sense and hopefully this rumor gets put to rest for good.

3. Are the Cavs better or worse than last year?

By the numbers, the Cavs are worse off, especially defensively.  Record wise, the Cavs are nearly identical year over year, but without JR Smith, this comparison is much harder to make in comparable terms.  As of January 25th, the 2016-2017 Cavs are ranked 17th in Defensive Efficiency (105.9) vs 10th (102.3) in 2015-2016.  In terms of offensive efficiency, the 16-17 Cavs are ranked 5th (109.3) vs 4th (108.1) in 15-16.  While there is still just less than half the season left, the Cavs will be facing a tall task in winning their second consecutive championship with a defensive rating outside of the top 10 of the league, a feat not done since the 2005-2006 Miami Heat who dealt with regular season injury issues with Wade and Shaq. As many have noted, the roster also seems thinner at the center and point guard spots too.

4. Relax, there may be a method to this madness

Remember last year when LeBron went cryptic on twitter?  Or how about when he went on his sabbatical in Miami to work out with Dwyane Wade? Fit out/ Fit in, anyone?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCdlzWUOOrJ/

David Griffin has been on the record saying that the Cavs are a team that thrives in pressure and responds to having their backs against the wall. Let’s not forget that a year ago, the Cavs fired David Blatt, despite having a 30-11 record and leading the East.  Griffin felt like the players wanted the pressure and challenge to respond and he put the onus on them. The Cavs may have some trouble in finding their next “playmaker” but be rest assured, the Cavs are built to thrive in pressure packed situations. Maybe Griffin will work some magic like last year when he netted Channing Frye. or two years ago when he turned Dion and a first rounder into JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Timofey Mozgov, or maybe he’s already made his move with Kyle Korver.  Regardless, the Cavs are built to succeed and recent history should make us assured of that, instead of being pessimistic.

See below for proof.