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Published on Sunday, Dec 23, 2007
So with the same roster, roughly the same system and the same coach as last season, what is the difference between the Cavaliers last year and this year?
Chemistry.
Over the previous two seasons, the Cavs have enjoyed a remarkable tranquillity within the locker room and any issues were brief and rarely showed on the court. Their teamwork and ability to come together were just as much a trademark as LeBron James, especially on the defensive end of the court.
It's one major reason why, even with less individual talent than many competitors had, the Cavs were able to reach the championship round.
Because of a number of factors, that has not been the case this season. Some displeasure among the players has hurt their cohesion and their results.
Though some things were out of their control, the Cavs have not done a good job of handling the success of going to the NBA Finals. From players thinking about themselves first, to the rigidity of the front office, to coach Mike Brown's experiments that have not paid off, there has been a disconnect from the rhythm of last season's playoff run.
The holdouts of Sasha
Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao, the blame for which is on both sides, deeply affected the team's psyche heading into training camp as much as the two players' absence on the floor did. It ruined the team's momentum.
Since coming back, Pavlovic hasn't been close to the player he was for the second half of last season. Not just because he's been in a shooting slump, but also because his effort defensively has not matched the way he played last season, when he was trying to get a contract.
Varejao's decision to rip his teammates in the media during his holdout did not endear him to anybody, even if the team welcomed him back.
Larry Hughes is having one of the worst seasons of his career and he hasn't been afraid to pass the blame. He made it known that he didn't want to play point guard, he's made it known that he is not happy within the offense most of the time and now he's made it known that he is not happy coming off the bench. But he's not done well with things he can control, either.
Drew Gooden has shown signs of being upset that he's lost a chunk of playing time since Varejao returned. He's averaged 10 points and six rebounds, close to last year's numbers, with Varejao back. That's far below the double-double he was averaging with Varejao holding out in Brazil. Gooden's effort and focus have seemed to wane lately as a result.
Devin Brown, Eric Snow, Shannon Brown and Damon Jones have all seen their roles yo-yo. Not just variances in minutes, which happens on every team on every level, but going from playing heavy minutes to not playing at all in short order. Meanwhile, they've seen Pavlovic remain in the starting lineup despite his struggles, creating more waves.
Those are all coach's decisions and that is Mike Brown's job. It's a tough one but it has to be done. He hasn't gotten consistent play from his team, so he hasn't been able to construct a consistent rotation. But the constant and sometimes unpredictable churn has no doubt shaken those players up and destabilized the team.
Since not having his option for next season picked up, Shannon Brown has often seemed to play at 100 mph when on the floor in an effort to show he belongs — not just to the Cavs, but to whoever else is watching.
Snow will not make a peep publicly and will still handle his duties as captain without hesitation, but he's got to be wondering why he's not playing when he is the team's best perimeter defender as the Cavs constantly struggle on defense.
Jones made headlines during the preseason when he demanded to be traded. He is not a good one-on-one defender, which no one will argue. But he has shot the ball reasonably well in each of the last two seasons. Scouts feel he has more traditional point guard skills than Daniel Gibson or Devin Brown, whom the Cavs are now using at point guard. Jones has also heeded a directive from the front office to tone down his antics. There are no more high leg kicks or hand symbols when he makes 3-pointers.
Yet because of circumstances and not so much his play, Jones is out of the rotation for the second straight season, and he is not happy about it. He still wants to be traded.
Pile all of that together and what you have is a team that is out of balance. There are too many players upset with their own situations at the moment. The players are all professionals and there is a great deal of time left in the season. The team and the coach can find their rhythm again. Going on any sort of winning streak seems to ease burdens in the NBA.
But like the components of this rough start for the Cavs, the fix will prove to be complex. Because it is deeper than just schemes, minute distribution and talent. It's personal, too.
Dribbles
• According to several league sources, the Cavs have been calling around to investigate the trade market. They are not directly shopping any players — more getting a sense of who could be available. Most teams are in this mode right now.
• The Cavs have been in contact with the Philadelphia 76ers about point guard Andre Miller. Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry and Miller were teammates with the Cavs in the 1999-2000 season and have a good relationship. According to sources, new 76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski has hinted he is willing to trade Miller, perhaps packaged with another player, for expiring contracts and a draft pick. The 76ers are in position to have salary-cap space next summer and may want more. The Cavs have some expiring contracts, but would probably need to put together a multiplayer deal to acquire Miller.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
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