For a while there, it looked like the Cavaliers were world beaters anew. Fresh off blowout losses to the Timberwolves and Raptors, Numbers Six and Seven in their last 10 matches, they sought to hit the ground running against the Pacers the other day. And they did, blitzing the hosts 34 to 12 in the first quarter and seemingly en route to an easy, if much-needed, victory. There was just one problem, however: Over the next three quarters, they set out to prove that, in their present incarnation, they don’t yet know how to get out of their own way.
Not that the Cavaliers didn’t try. As best they could, they moved to protect their lead by matching the Pacers point for point. Unfortunately, they wound up misfiring more often than not, a compounded concern given their penchant for being a sieve on defense. The result was predictable: Yet another setback that exposed them as all show and no substance. And it’s telling that not even the exertions of LeBron James, arguably in the midst of his best year since he won his fourth, and most recent, Most Valuable Player award in 2013, proved influential in arresting the slide.
For eternal optimists, the Cavaliers’ woes are nothing new; every year since James returned to the fold in 2014, they have had to endure regular-season funks that made them appear most suited to do battle for lottery slots. And so, the argument goes, this season presents more of the same; adversity on the trek to still another tug-of-war for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The contention may well be right; if for nothing else than because of their past accomplishments, the wine and gold deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Then again, there seems to be something different about the Cavaliers as currently constructed. When their offense clicks, they’re a sight to behold; the passes are crisp, movement is coordinated, and, with James running the show, the baskets keep coming from just about any conceivable angle. It’s just that, given their shockingly poor showing on the other side of the court, there’s no other way for them to win. And throughout their swoon, they haven’t been able to run up the score enough to offset their inability to keep the competition from doing the same.
Yes, it’s official. The Cavaliers can’t guard anyone; advanced stats have them at or near the bottom of just about every key defensive category, and not just because they’re older than, and literally can’t keep up with, the rest of the league. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is decidedly weak. And while it’s true that they can and will likely improve in the second half of their 2017-18 campaign, their systemic infirmities set them up for long-game disappointment. Lest anybody forget, James is 33 — by pro hoops standards, an old 33 — and on the decline. As well as he has performed to date, he has clearly lost a step; he rests, and often, during live-ball situations, conserving his energy for bursts of athleticism, good for eye tests but bad for sabermetrics.
Were the playoffs to start today, the Cavaliers would be the third seed, armed with homecourt advantage and banking on James’ excellent record in best-of-seven affairs; not for nothing has he been to seven consecutive Finals series. Then again, they would also be extremely ill prepared; even assuming they get past their conference rivals, they have no chance against whomever emerges from the West, let along the reigning Warriors. And under this scenario, they’re slated to double down on their heartbreak; The King will most definitely change addresses once he becomes a free agent in June.
In other words, the Cavaliers should be in panic mode. Smoke and mirrors will get them only so far. Their reputation serves to coax the best out of their opponents; it also gives them a false sense of security. They need to improve, and fast. Else, heartbreak will come, first in trickles, then in droves.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.
