What’s Wrong With the Cleveland Cavaliers?

SBN’s Cavaliers blog, Fear the Sword, has some thoughts in light of last night’s loss:

The Cavaliers are going to win a lot of games this season. It might not be 66(remember they started 1-2 last season) but there will be plenty to cheer. In the mean time, as this Cavaliers crew figures out how to play with each other, there are going to be some growing pains. Tonight was one of those.

Looking tired at times, disinterested at others, the Cavaliers dropped to 0-2, losing to the Raptors in Toronto’s opener 101-91. For the Cavs the issues through the first two games are too numerous to talk about, but I’ll try.

Defensively the Cavaliers are really struggling. They are getting burned on pick and rolls and allowing way too many easy baskets. I mean, seriously, Andrea Bargnani scores 28 points? In all, the Raptor front-court outscored the Cavs ‘bigs’ 49-14.

Let’s face it, its tough to put yourself in an 18-point hole at halftime and expect to win. Still, the Cavaliers had tied the game, late in the 3rd, and was in position to get a win. I don’t want to hear about new players – Toronto has 9 new players on it’s roster and threw over 100 on the board against the Cavs. It goes deeper than that.

Perhaps it was the flu-bug that went through the team during Training Camp, maybe the injuries to Mo, and others. Of course, the uncertainty surrounding Delonte can’t be helping.

Whatever the case, the Cavaliers will get it figured out. They have to….Right?

We’re not in “Time to Panic!”-mode just yet in Cleveland, but given the history out there, as well as the ultimate referendum on their city’s self-worth looming when Lebron hits free agency this summer, let’s just say the Cavs fans have good reason to be a touch sensitive. And if Cleveland doesn’t get it together soon, heads will likely roll—Mike Brown Mike Brown Mike Brown—in short order.