With the Cavaliers loss in overtime at home Wednesday night to Orlando, the wine and gold dropped to 4-5 on the young season, and the worrywarts are in full angst. The questions on whether or not this team can make the playoffs are starting. However, it’s not time for panic. The Cavs have played six of their nine games on the road, and they have one of their two west coast trips out of the way. Considering the early schedule, you have to be pretty happy about the team’s start.
This team has grown up with last year’s playoff experience. They are tougher on the road, and tougher down the stretch of close games. Excluding the blow out loss to Denver on the last game of a six games in nine-day stretch, the wine and gold could have one the rest of the games. They were ahead at Phoenix at the half, and lost at Utah on a buzzer beater by Deron Williams. The first game back from a long road trip is like another road game, so I’m not surprised by the close loss to the Magic. Really though, the Cavs could easily be 6-3 on the season.
That said, what has happened to Larry Hughes?
When GM Danny Ferry signed Hughes, I thought it was a good signing. He played solid defense, he could make the mid range jumper, he was a complete player. He could pass, defend, and score. Since he arrived in Cleveland, he has missed a lot of time with injuries, although he was brittle even before the Cavaliers signed him. What’s worse, he’s lost his shot, totally. In the loss to the Magic, Hughes shot 2 for 12, and on at least three occasions passed the ball to an empty space. His confidence looks completely shot, and because of his large salary, he’s pretty much untradable.
Hughes is currently shooting under 30% from the floor and is averaging just a little over 2 assists per game, which is horrible considering he initiates the offense in a half court set. His entire game has regressed. Now, if he shoots less than 30% for the season, which would be unbelievable. But, his shot is flat, and he can’t make the 15 footer at this point. He’s a liability on the offensive end at this point. Perhaps the wine and gold would be better off if Mike Brown started Sasha Pavlovic for Hughes and let the veteran come off the bench for awhile.
Meanwhile, although we shouldn’t be surprised, LeBron James has showed his improvement already this season. You can pick on his foul shooting if you want, but I predict he will be close to 80% before the season ends. The King is averaging 28 points, and almost 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. That has to be the closest to averaging a triple double since Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-62. Plus, he has added the blocked shot to his game. He is undoubtedly the best player in the NBA, and he will turn just 23 years old on December 30th.
The schedule starts to soften up after tonight’s game at The Q against the Jazz. Four of the next six games are here, and among the opponents are the Timberwolves, the Pacers, and the Bucks. If the wine and gold is under .500 at the end of the month, then some adjustments need to be made. I would still feel better if Ferry would sign a veteran banger to defend. I like the way Dwayne Jones plays, but he doesn’t have to bulk to play the Dwight Howards and Amare Stoudamires of the NBA world.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 