On Wednesday morning, members of the Cleveland Cavaliers came together for a pre-practice talk to air out some of the dirty laundry they’ve piled up through their first seven games of the season.
The Cavs, losers of three consecutive games, are currently holding it down for the fourth spot in the Central Division. Not good, right? Not good indeed. What’s behind this slump, you ask? The answer, to be frank, is a lack of effort on the defensive end of the floor.
The Cavs, who have failed to hold six of the seven teams they’ve faced this season under 100 points (Boston posted 99 in Cleveland’s season-opening win), are giving up an average of 114.3 points per game. Furthermore, the Cavs have allowed opposing teams to score 60-plus points in the first half in three of their last four games, including New Orleans’ 65 (loss), Chicago’s 64 (win), and New York’s 62 (loss).
Earlier this week, James noted that the starting unit, himself included, has been part of Cleveland’s recent skid. However, the King, now in his 15th season of NBA service, says he is remaining positive.
Via Joe Vardon of cleveland.com:
“What month is this for me? What is this? October? I’m not about to go crazy over it right now,” James said. “It’s too long of a season and I’ve been a part of this too many times, so I’m the wrong guy to ask. I’m too positive right now.”
Currently, James, who held his annual Halloween party on Monday night, is averaging 24.6 points on 58.6 percent shooting from the field (40.7 percent from beyond the arc), 8.6 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game. After Wednesday’s shoot-around, the former No.1 overall pick in the 2003 Draft spoke to reporters with regards to the Cavs’ pre-practice talk.
“It was needed,” James said of the team meeting. “The best thing about it is that guys got everything out.”
With the laundry fresh out of the spin cycle, the Cavs will look to get back into the win column. Their first shot at redemption comes on Wednesday night, when they’ll serve as hosts to the Indiana Pacers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with Fox Sports Ohio and Fox Sports Indiana having live broadcast coverage.