Cleveland Cavaliers: Ty Lue deserves blame with the way he coached
By Ric McElroy
The Voice of the Fan saw plenty of flaws by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Finals. After that series, he has had enough: A new coach is needed.
A good coach will tell you, like a good captain of a ship, that he is responsible for his team. While watching the 2018 NBA Finals, I saw the Golden State Warriors doing the same thing over and over against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Well, given how the finals played out, it was evident the responsibility was not accounted for by Ty Lue. Otherwise, we may have seen a better series.
Cleveland did not have an answer for what the Warriors were beating them with. That was especially the case with Kevin Durant, who either shot over the Cavaliers or ran around them. The Warriors as a whole also did the same thing game in and game out.
Part of the problem was the lack of consistent play from LeBron James and supporting cast. Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and company did not play well yet they were getting a handsome salary to be there. There was plenty left to be desired on offense meanwhile the defense failed to step up.
When Cleveland switched on defense more times than not there ended up being two Cavaliers on one Warrior player. Thus, leaving one open Warrior unguarded. That player then either crashed to the hoop or ran to a wide open spot up three point shot.
One player who ended up struggling often because of this was Korver. The veteran wing was often getting picked on a down screen leading to Golden State’s shot. That approach was successful for the Boston Celtics too but it was mastered by Golden State.
Cavs players would look at each other as if each thought the other was at fault. This was correctable but never to the point as often as it occurred.
The Warriors ran all game long throughout the series. The Warriors, led by Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson scored easy baskets firing shots at will. That said, Lue should have done more planning and prepared a better defensive scheme than the one they have played in the better part of four games.
Next: 6 moves to make to get back to the finals
It was clear the Warriors had a plan for the Cavaliers as they pretty well dominated them! The Cavs had to have known what was coming yet could not stop or even impede them. Given the inability to properly make proper adjustments and game plans, is it time to start looking for a new head coach? Yes it is and a new hire would be preferred.