LeBron James says effort isn’t the reason the Cavaliers are struggling

LeBron James just completed his worst month, record wise, since the first one he ever played in the NBA. Still, while James has made some negative comments about his team this season, he didn’t criticize them after Thursday’s 99-93 loss to the Chicago Bulls suck them to a 6-10 record on the month.

“We’re just in a bad spot right now,” James told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Not disappointed with the effort. We’re just in a bad spot. We’re going to try to figure it out. ... I think the effort was there. I just don’t think the concentration for as close to 48 minutes is there yet. Which is unfortunate.”

James had 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting to go with 10 rebounds and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough in the loss. Chicago has now swept Cleveland in their four-game season series.

“I’m never one to shortcut the process,” James said. “It’s all part of the process. It’s what I live by, that’s how I built my career, so tomorrow’s another day. It’s another opportunity, but we’ve got some work to do. We don’t have a lot of time.”

Last week, James talked about the process of buying in which could be interpreted as a dig at his teammates.

“First of all, you have to take every shootaround and film session, and every opportunity to be together very seriously. If that’s what we want to do — win a championship — we have to have that mindset every single day, on the floor or of the floor. You have to carry that with you every day. If it’s making sacrifices for yourself, or for the benefit of the team, taking away things that you love to do but feel like you have to be committed more to the team, so be it.”

Still, Cleveland has plenty of time to right the ship. Ever since James returned, the Cavaliers have faced midseason trials and pushed their way through them to the finals anyway. There’s still a very good chance this season will end similarly.