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Both defense, offense lacking; team searching for cohesion after losses
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Oct 30, 2009
TORONTO: No one has to tell Mike Brown that his team is struggling — on offense and defense. After two games, the Cavaliers have looked good in spurts but overall lacked cohesion.
With great expectations sometimes comes a reality check. This certainly feels like it for those who expected the Cavs to come out with swords swishing.
First and foremost, Brown has to look to his defense and the fact that shots have been coming too easily and too frequently because of breakdowns.
Boston's Rajon Rondo and Toronto's Jose Calderon were able to penetrate into the paint in both games thus far and hit an open man for easy shots for their
teams. There is plenty going on with the Cavaliers with that aspect of their game, but no issue is more glaring than the fact that one of their most tenacious defenders, Delonte West, currently isn't playing.
Still working with his support team to deal with his bipolar disorder, West remained inactive for Wednesday's showdown with the Raptors. There's little argument that the Cavs are a talented team. After LeBron James, West could easily be called the team's second-best player. Where he really sticks out is on defense.
''You know what Delonte does for us. He's a ferocious defender. He's an underrated offensive player. He can definitely help us,'' guard Mo Williams said. ''He's definitely a threat for us. When anybody loses a key player to injury or anything, it hurts you. It's evident that we miss him.''
Miss him or not, West won't be returning until the time is right. Wins or losses won't dictate his return, according to a source familiar with the situation. His health will.
Brown knows what West is capable of on the court, but he's realistic about what is happening right now with his team.
''Delonte is a very good perimeter defender, but it is what it is and we have to figure it out,'' he said. ''Yes, if he was playing he would have an effect, an impact on the game on the end of the floor. But he's not.''
West's absence isn't the only problem. As lacking as the defense was in the team's initial two outings, the offense hasn't fared much better. Last year, John Kuester developed the team's offensive sets. Now he's plying his trade as the head coach with the Detroit Pistons.
''We lost our offensive coordinator to the Pistons; we're still learning a new system,'' LeBron James said. ''When our offense is not going well, we let that affect our defense. At times we look really bad defensively, and that's not us.''
But even James realizes there is a lot going on with this team that needs fixed. A preseason that included injuries and an invasion of the flu kept players from becoming familiar with each other. New starters Shaquille O'Neal and guard Anthony Parker had to be incorporated into the lineup, and Brown still has to discover what his best bench rotation should be.
''It is too early in the year to look too far into these two games. The slow start has to do with the system and guys being out,'' Brown said. ''I'm still positive. If it was 35 games or 25 games into the season, I'd be disappointed but not at this point.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
TORONTO: No one has to tell Mike Brown that his team is struggling — on offense and defense. After two games, the Cavaliers have looked good in spurts but overall lacked cohesion.
With great expectations sometimes comes a reality check. This certainly feels like it for those who expected the Cavs to come out with swords swishing.
First and foremost, Brown has to look to his defense and the fact that shots have been coming too easily and too frequently because of breakdowns.
Boston's Rajon Rondo and Toronto's Jose Calderon were able to penetrate into the paint in both games thus far and hit an open man for easy shots for their
teams. There is plenty going on with the Cavaliers with that aspect of their game, but no issue is more glaring than the fact that one of their most tenacious defenders, Delonte West, currently isn't playing.
Still working with his support team to deal with his bipolar disorder, West remained inactive for Wednesday's showdown with the Raptors. There's little argument that the Cavs are a talented team. After LeBron James, West could easily be called the team's second-best player. Where he really sticks out is on defense.
''You know what Delonte does for us. He's a ferocious defender. He's an underrated offensive player. He can definitely help us,'' guard Mo Williams said. ''He's definitely a threat for us. When anybody loses a key player to injury or anything, it hurts you. It's evident that we miss him.''
Miss him or not, West won't be returning until the time is right. Wins or losses won't dictate his return, according to a source familiar with the situation. His health will.
Brown knows what West is capable of on the court, but he's realistic about what is happening right now with his team.
''Delonte is a very good perimeter defender, but it is what it is and we have to figure it out,'' he said. ''Yes, if he was playing he would have an effect, an impact on the game on the end of the floor. But he's not.''
West's absence isn't the only problem. As lacking as the defense was in the team's initial two outings, the offense hasn't fared much better. Last year, John Kuester developed the team's offensive sets. Now he's plying his trade as the head coach with the Detroit Pistons.
''We lost our offensive coordinator to the Pistons; we're still learning a new system,'' LeBron James said. ''When our offense is not going well, we let that affect our defense. At times we look really bad defensively, and that's not us.''
But even James realizes there is a lot going on with this team that needs fixed. A preseason that included injuries and an invasion of the flu kept players from becoming familiar with each other. New starters Shaquille O'Neal and guard Anthony Parker had to be incorporated into the lineup, and Brown still has to discover what his best bench rotation should be.
''It is too early in the year to look too far into these two games. The slow start has to do with the system and guys being out,'' Brown said. ''I'm still positive. If it was 35 games or 25 games into the season, I'd be disappointed but not at this point.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 07:36 AM, 10/30/2009
Let the exuses fly! LeM$$$ has one foot out the door, shaq is colecting checks, and Glbert is going over casino construction plans. Write it down - 4th or 5th seed in east, early exit, then permanent exit.
akron, oh
Posted 08:00 AM, 10/30/2009
who cares. just a bunch of over paid cry babies.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:23 AM, 10/30/2009
Hope Delonte gets it together soon...he's a great player and he's missed.
This article states it perfectly--these guys look like they're playing a pick-up game in the park. If I didn't know any better, I'd think this was the first week they ever met & played as a team. Get it together Cavs!
Canton, OH
Posted 08:24 AM, 10/30/2009
maybe sheriff Shaq should arrest all of them for offensive playing.
Greenwood, IN
Posted 08:56 AM, 10/30/2009
Where is the suprise to Mike Brown? They knew they had this issue since training camp opened & yet what have done to rectify it? We need more time!
Brown needs to go! The Orlando playoff series & the start of this season show he is way to slow to react to situations staring him in the face.
AKRON, OH
Posted 09:56 AM, 10/30/2009
We need Delonte back!
akron, oh
Posted 11:17 AM, 10/30/2009
Once the Cavs get used to the new offense and the new lineup, the neysayers will disappear back onto the wagon and act like they were never negative! The proof is in the 18 point comeback after the halftime deficit against Toronto. Enjoy your triumph against us now Toronto and Boston,because they are going to be far and a few in between once it starts to click for the Cavs!
uniontown, oh
Posted 11:25 AM, 10/30/2009
Where the heck was last years team all off season? It looks like most of them were listing to Pink Floyd oldies and smoking home grown. West was busy joining the NRA and polishing his three wheeler. GET IT TOGETHER IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS OR PACK IT IN. MOST OF US ARE IN NO MOOD FOR ANOTHER LOOSING TEAM. GOOD LUCK.
medina, oh
Posted 11:37 AM, 10/30/2009
Citizenk62 - "Listing to Pink Floyd oldies and smoking home grown." Sounds good to me. See ya later.....
Westlake, OH
Posted 11:38 AM, 10/30/2009
duhduckster you're freaking duhdumb!
Paradise, Oh
Posted 12:40 PM, 10/30/2009
"MOST OF US ARE IN NO MOOD FOR ANOTHER LOOSING TEAM. GOOD LUCK."
My good sir...they are NOT loose yet. They are still here. They may be a LOSING team, but so far, they are NOT a LOOSING team.
Barberton, OH
Posted 04:01 PM, 10/30/2009
Cavs will be fine. It's TWO games into a season where we have some new faces trying to pick up our complicated defensive schemes. There is EIGHTY games remaining on the schedule. We'll still get one of the top 3 seeds no doubt. You can start worrying if we go 5-10 through the first 15 games, but I expect Lebron and Shaq to not let that happen.
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 06:49 AM, 10/31/2009
Over rated.
akron, oh
Posted 09:34 AM, 10/31/2009
Since the sorry beacon does not update...fyi...The Cleveland dude, in whose house they found three bodies: They have now found six and he fled to AKRON and committed a robbery/kidnapping (in Ellet, next to azteca). He was seen in the Beardsley/South St area sometime after that. Just wanted to let people know. Tell your families to be aware. Sex offender. Knows he has warrants.
somewhere near you, CA
Posted 10:57 AM, 10/31/2009
Thanks BJ, great headline. I like a laugh first thing in the morning with my coffee.
akron, oh
Posted 03:10 PM, 10/31/2009
For cryin' out loud. Stop with the hysterics. They've got 80 more preseason games until the season finally gets going next summer.
Everyone is in the playoffs in this phony WWE game.
