Isaiah Thomas’ shot selection is the latest in a growing number of Cleveland’s problems

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost seven of their last 10 games, and at first, some of the blame was placed on Kevin Love. But now it seems some players in the Cavaliers’ locker room, according to ESPN Cleveland’s Jordan Zirm, have shifted that blame to Isaiah Thomas, questioning the shot selection of a dynamic scorer and playmaker who didn’t start his season until Jan. 2 due to a hip injury.

That makes this exchange between Thomas and The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd during Saturday’s shootaround a little bit interesting:

Has anyone in the organization approached you about shot selection?

No.

It hasn’t been a topic?

Nuh-uh. ... What do you think about that?

I’ve had people in the locker room kinda wonder..

Who?

I can’t tell you who.

Dang, it’s like that? I mean, if they’re worried about my shot selection, they must not have seen me play the last few years. That’s all I can say about that. If somebody’s worried about that, what did you trade me here for? To not shoot? To not find my rhythm? To not be Isaiah Thomas? I can’t be anybody else, so whoever’s saying that, I mean, I don’t know what I’m here for if I’m not here to score the ball and make plays... after being off seven months.

Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue chimed in moments later, saying some of Thomas’ shooting struggles have come from being away from the court for so long:

How do you feel about — not so much Isaiah’s play — but his shot selection to this point? He just said that he is who he is and this is the way he plays and he’s not gonna change, and if no one likes it then they shouldn’t have brought him to Cleveland. But just from a coaching standpoint, are you happy with the shots that he’s taking and do you think that they’re coming within the rhythm of the offense?

“I think a lot of times it’s his timing. Because a lot of times, he jumps to shoot the ball and then he passes it. And that’s gonna come from playing. He had a long layoff. And we need him to be aggressive and score the basketball, but shot selection is important. So he’s gotta understand and see where shots are gonna be. We need him to be aggressive and score the basketball. But we need him to take good shots.”

In nine games this season, Thomas is averaging 15.4 points. He’s shooting 39 percent from the field, 27.6 percent from three, and 79.4 percent from the foul line. Those shooting numbers pale in comparison to the All-Star guard who averaged 28.9 points per game for the Celtics last season.

Thomas still needs time to fully recover from his hip injury, and it’s clear he’s not even close to 100 percent yet. It’s also clear that the clock is ticking for things to start clicking in Cleveland. And if the reigning Eastern Conference champs don’t get it it together by the trade deadline, there is no telling who could be out the door first.