Today, we here at J Beanie, take a different approach to the entry. This is an open forum. An open forum with the purpose of solving a problem. A problem that could easily turn into a travesty. Today, with your help, we try to figure out what is wrong with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Is it the coaching? The rotation?
Is it the chemistry after the trade?
Is it all the injuries?
Is it the offense?
Is it the defense?
Is it the cures of Larry Hughes?
Is it the revenge of Drew Gooden’s sole patch? Or his bushy beard?
Is it too many average, interchangeable players?
Is it a lack of drive or desire?
Is it coasting until the playoffs?
Is it a combination of all that?
Or is it something completely different?
I really don’t know what it is. I think it’s has something to do with the injuries and the trade but not directly. That combination has put a too much of a strain on LeBron. Think about it. He is the leader and carries this team every night. He’s super human. He’s amazing. But he has to get worn down at some point.
He started the season on a tear, like he knew he had to carry is average team the entire year, not wait until the second half. Then he got even less support than even the biggest pessimistic Cleveland fan would have thought. Then he gets injured. The team goes 0-7 without him. When LBJ comes back, he knows he has to play even better to win. He isn’t going to get much help.
Then the trade happens.
He has to play a game with eight players and one of the is Eric Snow who played 30 minutes. That’s any Cavs fan/player’s worst nightmare. After the trade, LBJ takes it upon himself to bring the team together. He has to run the offense and score as much as possible because they are basically playing pick-up basketball because no one knows the plays. He has to lead the defense too, since no one knows the rotations and philosophies. He has to guard the other team’s best player in the fourth quarter because no one else can (this is the one spot were not having Larry Hughes hurts).
The injuries continue.
The unfamiliarity continue.
It all takes it’s toll on LeBron. As high as we put him on the pedestal, as much as we think of him as invincible, that is a lot to put on a 23-year old. Playing 43 minutes a night and having to do it all will wear down anyone. We’ve seen it in a couple games and it reach a climax last night. LeBron used to be dominated in the fourth quarter. Last night he scored one point in the final 12 minutes. That’s not LeBron. He was bothered by back spasms and tightness. A result from carrying an entire team all season?
He wasn’t the sole reason the Cavs blew a 17-point second half lead but he didn’t make plays down the stretch when it matter. And when you talk about the Cavs, all things start and end with LeBron. He has to find a way to win that game.
The Cavs need LeBron to win. That’s the most obvious statement of the year and that’s selling it short. He has been worn down and worn down this year. As much as people want to complain about the rotation, the offense, the defense, rebounding, foul shots or whatever else, the bottom line is it all comes down to LBJ. Some how, Mike Brown needs to rest him. Play him 35 minutes for the last few games. Sit him out the one completely. I know that won’t make fans happy but he needs to be ready to go in the playoffs. A healthy, rested, hungry LeBron can lead the Cavs back to the Finals. A tired, worn out, hurting LeBron could lead his team to his huge Akron house to watch the intriguing second round match-up between the Wizards and Celtics.
This is just my opinion. Please, tell me what you think is wrong with the Cavs. If we get some good ideas, maybe we can get this over to Brown and Danny Ferry and the season can be salvaged yet.
Fratello
