I like to pride myself on patience when it comes to sports. I hope I’m not the typical fan who wants the coach fired or a player benched after one or two bad games. It’s a long season and over the long haul, players usually find their level of talent. However, the recent performance of the Cleveland Cavaliers has worn my patience thin.
This team has the talent to build up big leads against teams like the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, but in blowing those leads, there clearly is something missing with this edition of the wine and gold. The space has talked about the inexperience of Mike Brown before, and this being his first head coaching job is most definitely a factor.
Brown came to Cleveland with a reputation as a coach who stressed defense, but he seems to put up with players who don’t give an effort on that end of the floor. Damon Jones should bring a red cape on the floor with him, but Jones continues to rack up playing time. Meanwhile, Sasha Pavlovic, who at least puts forth an effort on D, has gone from starter in an eleven game span in which the team went 8-3, to little used bench warmer.
On offense, Donyell Marshall has been struggling lately, but continues to play. According to beat reporters, Brown has challenged Marshall to take the ball to the basket more often, but Donyell continues to jack up threes. Even though he is a rookie coach dealing with veterans, Brown has to put his foot down. If Marshall plays in a manner the coach doesn’t like, his playing time should be reduced.
Also, Brown has to use his bench more. He has said he needs to give LeBron James more rest, but he still doesn’t do it. Alan Henderson has played decently in his limited minutes, but now he might as well wear his street clothes under his warm ups. Give him minutes!
With a four game home stand starting tomorrow night against Portland, it would be a good thing to change it up a bit. Maybe the Cavs should start Anderson Varajao at power forward, and bring in Drew Gooden with the second team to provide some offense. When a team is struggling, the head coach has the responsibility to try some different things. Like Sheryl Crow sang, "a change might do you good".
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 