Who are the Cleveland Cavaliers? Are they a potent 3-point shooting team with a deep bench and the NBA’s best player? Or are they LeBron James and the non-LeBron James’?
This team’s good and bad personality is beginning to wear on the fan base. In one game, they look unstoppable by playing excellent defense coupled with out-of-this-world 3-point shooting. The next game, they cannot hit a shot, commit absent minded turnovers, leave defenders with open shots, and make poor decisions with the ball.
In a series where they do not have the luxury of home court advantage, the Cavs continue to display the exact opposite of their championship DNA. LeBron has had to carry too much of the load, which has resulted in his demonstration of being worn down by the 4th quarters of games.
Going into game 5, Cleveland had won two straight games at home, doing so with timely 3-point shooting and excellent defense. However, the same inconsistencies that have plagued the team all year are resurfacing again in the playoffs.
The boost that the team received in the February trade deadline deal that jettisoned misfits like Isaiah Thomas and Jay Crawford, and former 2016 Championship members Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye, has played miserably through the playoffs.
Rodney Hood, thought to be a budding star and key acquisition in the trade, is no longer in the rotation. George Hill has played well in spurts. Despite his extensive playoff experience, Hill has been inconsistent at best. Larry Nance Jr. started the playoffs with reduced minutes, but has seen more time of late and playing well.
Jordan Clarkson, the Cavs version of Vinnie the Microwave Johnson, has been sporadic as well, often costing the Cavs as many points as he scores with bad passes, turnovers, miscommunication on defense, questionable shot selection, and inconsistent shooting.
LeBron has had to be otherworldly for the Cavs to arrive at their present position in the NBA. Currently down in the series, headed back to Cleveland if he runs out of gas, the Cavs will run out of chances and LeBron very well may run out of town.
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