Cleveland Cavaliers: Stop Adding Fuel To The Fire

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
3 of 6
Next
Cleveland Cavaliers
Apr 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) talks to forward LeBron James (23) during a timeout in the third quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Check Yourself Before You Wreck… The Team

If you’re a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, the last thing you want to hear is that Irving wants out, that the team has Love on the trading block, or that James is in Miami with Wade. A year ago at this time fans were envisioning a Larry O’Brien Trophy finding its way to Quicken Loans Arena, and a parade through downtown Cleveland. None of those stories were above that story-line. Now, we’re questioning whether this team even wants to coexist.

The Cavaliers fired former head coach David Blatt mid-season because he couldn’t unite the personalities in the locker room. The team believed Tyronn Lue was the coach who could change that. As a former NBA player, he could change the culture in the locker room, and unite the team.

Griffin believed he could understand how to challenge and push the players beyond the feeling that wins weren’t wins and losses were devastating pitfalls. However, with 23 games to go, the Cavaliers still struggle to show the drive and same passion night in and night out. Poor losses still follow big wins. One game they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder by double digits, then the next they look lethargic losing to the eighth seeded Detroit Pistons. Fans are left asking who’s pushing the players on this team? Wasn’t Lue supposed to make a difference?  Where are the leaders?

Then we heard the rumors from the national media. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith  reported that people around Irving said that he is not happy playing beside James and wants out. Then there’s James’ trip to Miami to practice with Wade and not any of his current teammates with a cryptic tweet that mentions someone being forgiven for a mistake.

Again, who are the leaders of this team? If the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to contend for the NBA Title and make the NBA Finals again, then they need their stars to get themselves in check. James and Irving need to prove or re-establish themselves as the leaders in and outside of the locker room. They are arguably the two most talented players on the team. They need to check themselves.

Next: Involve Teammates