[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

This recent Kevin Love trade agreement really got me thinking about the Cavs roster. Right now it includes James, Irving, Varejao, Waiters, Love, Brewer, Jones, Delladova, Thompson, Miller, Harris, Murphy, Lucas, Thomas, and Haywood. They are also reportedly trying to sign Marion and Allen. 

Other than James, Varejao, and Marion, every single other player offensively talented and defensively deficient. 

For example, look at the front court players’ defense at the rim (percentage of shots made by opponents at the rim)

Varejao 54%, Love 57%, James 52%, Marion 53%, and Thompson 59%. Haywood was out all of last season, and I am not sure you could count on him for minutes anyway. Eric Murphy actually recorded 42% defense at the rim in a small sample size. 

No matter how you slice that, those numbers are not imposing numbers. The Cavs simply have little to no rim protection on their roster. Varejao is an agile pick and roll defender, but he is not great at the rim. On top of that, Varejao has only played 44% of his games over the last four seasons. If you are counting on him to be the defensive glue, you may be dissapointed. I love Shawn Marion, but if you think the 36 year old is anything more than a 15-20 minute player, you are being too hopeful. 

This team is built to clean up defensive possessions on the boards. Love, James, and Varejao are some of the best in the business at that, and that is part of defense. 

Maybe James returns to his defensive agression from previous seasons. Maybe Irving and Love figure out how to do more than score. But I’m not sure this team is built to win championships. 

Last year, the Spurs were one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA, but they were also one of the top defenses. They were fourth in Hollinger’s defensive efficiency rating. In order to win championships, you have to be able to play defense and make the other team work on offense. I don’t think the Cavs are built to do that right now. Maybe Blatt can turn that roster into a cohesive defensive wall, but that is not going to be an easy task. 

Right now, if everyone stays healthy, I like the way the Bulls match up against the Cavs a lot better than the way the Cavs match up against the Bulls. The Cavs might put up a 60 win season, but if they don’t figure out the defensive side of the ball, I don’t think they can win a seven game series against the Bulls (with Rose). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 The Cavs aren’t runaways in the East by any stretch of the imagination.  With the improvements of the Bulls and Wiz this year, I think both teams could take the Cavs in a 7 game playoff series.  The Cavs will not have a rim protector, that is obvious.  They will be a work in progress, especially early while the Love, Irving and James learn to play with each other.  It will be a battle in the East all year, and I’m really looking forward to watching it all play out.  

[jalliParticipant]

 neither Irving or Love is good or even average defensively.  They’ll need more than just rim protectors.  And let’s see how well Irving copes going from 1st option to 3rd.

[jalliParticipant]

 neither Irving or Love is good or even average defensively.  They’ll need more than just rim protectors.  And let’s see how well Irving copes going from 1st option to 3rd.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 The Cavs aren’t runaways in the East by any stretch of the imagination.  With the improvements of the Bulls and Wiz this year, I think both teams could take the Cavs in a 7 game playoff series.  The Cavs will not have a rim protector, that is obvious.  They will be a work in progress, especially early while the Love, Irving and James learn to play with each other.  It will be a battle in the East all year, and I’m really looking forward to watching it all play out.  

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I wouldn’t say Tristain Thompson is offensivley talented. But apparenlty E’twan Moore is on their radar once Love deal becomes official. Moore would certainly add some much needed perimeter defense. 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 I wouldn’t say Tristain Thompson is offensivley talented. But apparenlty E’twan Moore is on their radar once Love deal becomes official. Moore would certainly add some much needed perimeter defense. 

[dcaseParticipant]

Brewer?  What Brewer is on the Cavs roster?  From what I have read Corey Brewer isn’t involved in the Love trade.

[dcaseParticipant]

Brewer?  What Brewer is on the Cavs roster?  From what I have read Corey Brewer isn’t involved in the Love trade.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

You need both to win a championship.  Point differential is the best predictor of success, and San Antonio had the league’s best all season.  Miami was only 11th in pace adjusted defensive efficiency, which should have been an obvious indicator that they were unlikely to beat the Spurs, who had both a top 6 offense and defense.  The only teams to be top 10 in both last year were OKC, SA, LAC, and TOR, surprisingly.  If the Wiz, Bulls, or Warriors improve on offense next year they could achieve both, as could Portland if they improve their defense. 

[sweaterflexParticipant]

Cleveland will only be a top 10 defensive if it trades Dion for rim protection.

[tuck243Participant]

who can LeBron play with that will provide rim protection and a 15-18 foot shot?  How many guys like that are in the league?  I don’t think the Cavs need a Top 5 defensive center actually…  I think Miles Plumlee would be perfect honestly… 

[sweaterflexParticipant]

With Kevin Love at the 4 they don’t really need a center who provides spacing, they could use a standard rim defending pick ‘n’ roll center.  Miles Plumlee would be ok, most players in that Tyson Chandler/DeAndre Jordan mold would fit.  Andy is a fine man to man defender but can’t really defend the rim anymore, and Thompson can rebound and not much else. 

[tuck243Participant]

 Remember the Heat started Bosh at 5, Lewis at 4, Bron at 3, and Wade at 2…   Spo may have went with that line up because the Spurs were dropping off on Wade…  But he started Lewis Game 1 of the Finals…  I still think a center with a 15-18 foot shot would be helpful…  

[tuck243Participant]

 Remember the Heat started Bosh at 5, Lewis at 4, Bron at 3, and Wade at 2…   Spo may have went with that line up because the Spurs were dropping off on Wade…  But he started Lewis Game 1 of the Finals…  I still think a center with a 15-18 foot shot would be helpful…  

[sweaterflexParticipant]

With Kevin Love at the 4 they don’t really need a center who provides spacing, they could use a standard rim defending pick ‘n’ roll center.  Miles Plumlee would be ok, most players in that Tyson Chandler/DeAndre Jordan mold would fit.  Andy is a fine man to man defender but can’t really defend the rim anymore, and Thompson can rebound and not much else. 

[benny15Participant]

 i think jermaine oneal is still a free agent. he would fit that description. 

[benny15Participant]

 i think jermaine oneal is still a free agent. he would fit that description. 

[tuck243Participant]

who can LeBron play with that will provide rim protection and a 15-18 foot shot?  How many guys like that are in the league?  I don’t think the Cavs need a Top 5 defensive center actually…  I think Miles Plumlee would be perfect honestly… 

[sweaterflexParticipant]

Cleveland will only be a top 10 defensive if it trades Dion for rim protection.

[sweaterflexParticipant]

You need both to win a championship.  Point differential is the best predictor of success, and San Antonio had the league’s best all season.  Miami was only 11th in pace adjusted defensive efficiency, which should have been an obvious indicator that they were unlikely to beat the Spurs, who had both a top 6 offense and defense.  The only teams to be top 10 in both last year were OKC, SA, LAC, and TOR, surprisingly.  If the Wiz, Bulls, or Warriors improve on offense next year they could achieve both, as could Portland if they improve their defense. 

[tuck243Participant]

I’m interested in seeing Noah’s stats because Andy play similar defense as him outside of the shot blocking…  But Andy doesn’t play the minutes Joakim plays either…  And NO, I’m NOT saying Andy is just as good as Joakim…  

[tuck243Participant]

I’m interested in seeing Noah’s stats because Andy play similar defense as him outside of the shot blocking…  But Andy doesn’t play the minutes Joakim plays either…  And NO, I’m NOT saying Andy is just as good as Joakim…  

[BigChamp12Participant]

From my perspective, the Bulls have never been a great offensive team. They win with their defense, not because of their offense. Even when D Rose was playing. Noah is not a guy you have to worry abut stopping. Jimmy Butler isn’t either. They are opportunity guys on offense. I think the Cavs will be alright with Love, Varejao or Thompson guarding Pau Gasol. He’s still a good player but nowhere near the threat he used to be. I cant speak on McDermott because we don’t know if he will be the offensive force he was in college yet. The biggest threat would still be D Rose, whereas if push comes to shove, let Lebron guard him. I think the Bulls will definitely compete with the Cavs, but if the Cavs’ DEFENSE AGAINST THE BULLS is supposed to be the biggest concern, then that series belongs to the Cavs.

[BigChamp12Participant]

From my perspective, the Bulls have never been a great offensive team. They win with their defense, not because of their offense. Even when D Rose was playing. Noah is not a guy you have to worry abut stopping. Jimmy Butler isn’t either. They are opportunity guys on offense. I think the Cavs will be alright with Love, Varejao or Thompson guarding Pau Gasol. He’s still a good player but nowhere near the threat he used to be. I cant speak on McDermott because we don’t know if he will be the offensive force he was in college yet. The biggest threat would still be D Rose, whereas if push comes to shove, let Lebron guard him. I think the Bulls will definitely compete with the Cavs, but if the Cavs’ DEFENSE AGAINST THE BULLS is supposed to be the biggest concern, then that series belongs to the Cavs.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

Defense is a TEAM game, maybe even more than offense. This will be up to the players (mainly Lebron) and the Coach, calling out picks and communicating. Maybe we see Irving, Waiters, Love, etc. as defensive liabilities, when in fact, they have just been on terrible teams with terrible defensive schemes. 

 

[APfromMSPParticipant]

I personally think that Love and Irving’s defenses will improve this year no longer having to be the focal point of the offense. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that they will become Joakim Noah and Rajon Rondo but I believe that they may be able to bring up their defense to an at least average level since they’ll have to expend less energy on the offensive side of the ball.

[APfromMSPParticipant]

I personally think that Love and Irving’s defenses will improve this year no longer having to be the focal point of the offense. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that they will become Joakim Noah and Rajon Rondo but I believe that they may be able to bring up their defense to an at least average level since they’ll have to expend less energy on the offensive side of the ball.

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

Defense is a TEAM game, maybe even more than offense. This will be up to the players (mainly Lebron) and the Coach, calling out picks and communicating. Maybe we see Irving, Waiters, Love, etc. as defensive liabilities, when in fact, they have just been on terrible teams with terrible defensive schemes. 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Larry Sanders, Javale McGee, and Delambert are all pretty obtainable, though some have contracts well beyond their worth. Anderson Varejo and/or Dion Waiters can net a center and defensive/long range SG. As is, Waiters isn’t going to like being 4th fiddle.

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Larry Sanders, Javale McGee, and Delambert are all pretty obtainable, though some have contracts well beyond their worth. Anderson Varejo and/or Dion Waiters can net a center and defensive/long range SG. As is, Waiters isn’t going to like being 4th fiddle.

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