“Prominent” Cleveland Cavaliers players quietly told several reporters on Monday that the team needed a roster upgrade after a 118-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors, which was the team’s eighth loss in its last 10 games. The journalists, from ESPN, Cleveland.com, and The Athletic, all quoted anonymous sources saying the team’s roster simply wasn’t good enough.
From ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:
Several prominent players, speaking on condition of anonymity to ESPN, Cleveland.com and The Athletic, expressed doubt that the problems -- an aging roster, defensively challenged personnel and a glut of redundant role players -- could simply be worked out through patience and a chance to coalesce when fully healthy.
It’s reasonable to assume that LeBron James was one of these players, given that he has never been shy about speaking out about perceived player personnel problems before. Last season, he told McMenamin on the record that the team needed a “f***ing playermaker,” and his wish was eventually granted when Cleveland signed Deron Williams.
Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon quoted a league source, who said this: “Rotations are awful. IT (Isaiah Thomas) is so much worse than Kyrie (Irving) defensively it’s insane. There is not a great feeling anywhere. They need to limp into the All-Star break and get away from each other.”
The Cavaliers have only won twice since Christmas, when they fell for a first time to Golden State. Their 3-9 record in their past 12 games comes immediately after the team won 17 times in 18 games — clearly, this season hasn’t been all bad. But Cleveland expected to be trending upwards and instead has been sinking despite growing healthier, including Isaiah Thomas’ return to the team.
The past six games has been especially troubling. Cleveland lost by 14 points to Boston, 28 points to Minnesota, 34 points to Toronto, and now 10 to Golden State. They allowed 127 points or more in three straight games, including their one win, a 131-127 victory against Orlando. The team’s defense likely can’t be fixed — not with this roster.