Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Cavaliers: Stop Adding Fuel To The Fire

By Kristopher Grimes

Jun 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view during introductions prior to game four of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view during introductions prior to game four of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again under the media’s fire, but this time it’s different.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Dec 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James walks past head coach David Blatt against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Last season, when the Cleveland Cavaliers started 19-20, the media scrutinized the newly assembled “Big Three” for their lack of cohesiveness, being too selfish, and not playing defense. The national media had rumors of Kevin Love with one foot out the door to free agency.

General manager David Griffin was on the verge of firing head coach David Blatt and LeBron James went one step closer to retirement because he had lost a step compared to his Miami days. That team went to the NBA Finals and came within two wins of an NBA Championship.

Fast forward to 2016 and the Cleveland Cavaliers are under fire again. Yet, the situation isn’t exactly the same. The team is 42-17, and the Cavaliers are in first place in the Eastern Conference. Love signed a 5-year max contract extension in the offseason, Cleveland returned almost the same roster, and they added more pieces to their bench with Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams.

On paper, the Cleveland Cavaliers look like a team that’s poised to make a return to the NBA Finals. So why are they facing the same scrutiny that the 19-20 Cavaliers of last season faced? The lack of cohesiveness, selfishness, poor defense, and the constant rumors are back.

Next: Why Are There Issues?

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers