This space has been very critical of the Cavaliers’ offense under Mike Brown. He relied too much on LeBron James’ ability to get to the basket, draw defenders, and find open teammates. When a team like Boston stopped James’ penetration, the attack was ground to a halt.
However, how much of that was the wish of #23, who perhaps wanted the ball in his hands at all times.
Remember, the Mo Williams that played in Milwaukee was a much different player than the one who played here the past two years. The Williams who played against the Cavs and gave them fits, was a guy who would break down a defense, get into the lane and cause problems.
That’s not the guy we saw in Cleveland the past two seasons.
Either James or Brown made all other offensive players spot up three point shooters.
The same thing said about Williams can be said about Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. When the wine and gold were forced into a half court set, they stood in one spot, waited for penetration, and were expected to make threes.
So it’s the chicken or the egg. Did LeBron James dominate the ball because there was no good game plan in half court situations, or was there no good game plan in the half court because James dominated the ball?
If it’s the former and #23 remains a Cav, then a new coach can greatly impact the offense. If it’s the latter and LBJ stays here, no matter who new GM Chris Grant trades for or signs, Cleveland will look much the same on offense.
Without a difference in the offensive game plan, the Cavaliers can keep James, trade for Monta Ellis, and sign Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson, and there is still going to be problems when the wine and gold have the ball in the half court.
NOTE: We understand that will not work under any salary cap.
Recently, WKNR’s Michael Reghi has suggested that if the problem is James wanting to monopolize the ball, then the Cavs should go ahead and make #23 the point guard and pursue other options at small forward. However, they will still need some motion in the attack. It cannot be LBJ with the ball and everyone else hanging around the three-point line.
And if James needs to have the ball whether it is in Cleveland or somewhere else, it limits some of the teams he is supposedly looking at.
Chicago has Derrick Rose, who also needs the ball. Miami has Dewayne Wade, who needs the ball. Heck, Baron Davis is used to having the ball with the Clippers. If LeBron James goes to any of these places, it’s not going to be a good fit, basketball wise.
Regardless of whether James stays or not, the Cleveland Cavaliers need a change offensively. In the playoffs, you have to have the ability to get the ball to people where they need it to be effective. The current set up of a guy in the post, a guy with the ball, and three guys around the arc don’t work against the better teams.
Getting a different point guard won’t change anything; neither will getting a power forward. The scheme has to change for players to be effective.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 