Analytics are everything in the NBA right now, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are falling in love with the lowest percentage shot in the game. The Cavs are off to an 0-3 start, and their offensive mentality has changed significantly since the departure of LeBron James.
Last season, the Cavs were focused on driving into the basket for a layup and kicking the ball out for open three’s when the defense collapsed. This season, they’re taking a lot more mid-range shots, an it’s not panning out.
“I think you have to take what the defense gives you,” Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue told Cleveland.com. “I mean, we’re not just going to be a jump-shooting team. We have guys that can create, get to the basket and finish at the basket and get to the free throw line. We’re not just going to focus on 3s. The last few years we had specialty players that shot 3s. I think now we have guys that can shoot the 3-ball but also get to the basket and finish at the rim as well. A little different.”
Throughout the 2017-18 season, 30.2 percent of the Cavs’ shots came from mid-range. This mark gave them the sixth-lowest percentage in the NBA. In the four seasons following LeBron’s return to Cleveland, the Cavs never finished lower than fourth when it came to three point frequency. This season, they rank 29th in the NBA.
Maybe the Cavs are shooting less three’s because they don’t have a LeBron’s ability to attract the eye’s of multiple defenders, which frees up shooters. Either way, the team will have to focus on finding a new identity this season. They won’t be last year’s Cavs, so they need to find a new playing style that fits their personnel, and helps them win games.