Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images
The title-defense season of the Cleveland Cavaliers is now three-games-old. The team, especially the Big Three has been on fire lately, giving us a great opportunity to nitpick on the defending champions’ performance by focusing on a few observations.
Obviously, the sample size is very small but credit needs to be given where it’s due; same goes with addressing a few areas of concern. Read through below as we identify “three tricks” and “three treats” from the Cavs’ play so far.
THE TRICKS
Controlling the glass
After three games, Cleveland has allowed opponents to carom 14.7 offensive rebounds per game, which is the second most in the league. Last season, the Cavs’ were the fifth best team in preventing second chance opportunities from their foes. It’s hard to believe that the departure of Sasha Kaun caused the drop off, but this is highly uncharacteristic of the defending champions.
Bench points
The Cavs know that the regular season is a long grind, and, despite having the tendency to go on cruise control at times, they would want to remain on top of the East when they enter the playoffs. This is where the reserves play a huge role. However, after three contests, the bench leaves plenty to be desired as they are only averaging 36.3 points per game, compared to last season’s 49.5 (excluding the numbers of those who didn’t finish the season with the team AND Dahntay Jones whose 13.0 scoring average was an outlier as he only played in the team’s 82nd game wherein the starters were rested).
Help at the point
Last season, Cleveland had the luxury of making opponents pick their poison when it comes to the backup point guard spot. It was either instant offense from Mo Williams or rugged defense from Matthew Dellavedova that greeted opposing point guards whenever Kyrie Irving takes a breather. However, those two are no longer part of team, leaving the onus on rookie Kay Felder. But the Cavs know that this won’t be enough, hence, testing out Jordan McRae at the one spot with Iman Shumpert getting some run as well. Help might arrive via trade, but we can only speculate at this point.
Click “Next Page” to see the 3 treats from the Cavs’ first 3 games!
David Liam Kyle/Getty Images
THE TREATS
The Hunger-Hustle correlation
After winning the title and validating their strategy of not stepping on the gas at all times in order to reserve energy for the playoffs, it’s easy for the Cavaliers to occasionally take a step back in terms of intensity. But the world champions appear to be defying expectations once again. Cleveland has seen significant improvement in three hustle statistics so far. In its first three games, the team ranks fifth (12th last year), 11th (27th last year), and fifth (28th last year) in offensive rebounds, blocks, and steals, respectively.
A healthy Uncle Drew
Kyrie Irving had a down regular season in 2015-2016, no thanks to the time he spent sitting on the bench as he recuperated from a knee injury. Catching up on the pace of the game caused the slow start and he eventually missed the All-Star team and only averaged 19.6 points per game. But this year, Irving is picking up from where he left off in the Finals with averages of 25.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 dimes. But the best part is his stroke, as he is shooting 50% from long distance and 46% overall.
The Big Three
This is how Cleveland fans imagined these stars functioning together when their trio was assembled. LeBron James as the all-around talent extra-ordinaire and facilitator, Kyrie Irving as the unstoppable offensive force, and Kevin Love as the anchor down low while being an elite stretch big at the same time. The three-game stats for James (21.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 10.0 assists), Irving (25.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists), and Love (20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block) are scary numbers for opponents as the Cavaliers’ Big Three is enjoying what’s arguably their best stretch together so far.
