**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don’t necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**
David Blatt, LeBron James asking for patience while Cavs try to make all pieces fit Author: Jason Lloyd Publication: Akron Beacon Journal
PHOENIX: When the Cavaliers traded for J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov last January, it didn’t take long for the new pieces to fit perfectly. The Cavs erupted almost immediately and didn’t slow down until the NBA Finals.
This time, however, as old pieces become new again, everyone from David Blatt to LeBron James is asking for patience. Any more performances such as Saturday’s embarrassing 29-point loss at the Portland Trail Blazers and patience won’t be much of an option for a team with championship aspirations.
Kyrie Irving is expected back in the lineup Monday when the Cavs face a Phoenix Suns team dealing with its own crisis. The Suns will be without $70 million point guard Eric Bledsoe, who is out with a knee injury, and forward Markieff Morris, who is suspended for throwing a towel at coach Jeff Hornacek. – CLICK HERE to read full story.
Jim Ingraham: Don’t sweat it, LeBron will bring Cleveland a title — some day Author: Jim Ingraham Publication: Medina-Gazette
The following occurred to me — go figure — while watching the Cavaliers’ unconditional surrender to the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night:
What if the Cavs DON’T win a championship with LeBron James? Not this season. Not next season. Not ever.
What if LeBron plays another, let’s say eight seasons in the NBA, all of them with Cleveland, and he retires as a two-time world champion — none of them with Cleveland.
Your basic “Wah-wah-waaaaaaaah!” – CLICK HERE to read full story.
Cavaliers-Suns Preview Author: Associated Press Publication: SI.com
With or without Kyrie Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been dreadful on offense over the past week.
It might be hard to imagine them having similar problems against a woeful team that has been terrible defensively, like the one they face Monday night when they visit the Phoenix Suns, but that’s just what happened in their last outing.
Irving should return to the court after being rested Saturday in Portland, where the Eastern Conference leaders somehow were dominated from the outset in a 105-76 loss. – CLICK HERE to read full story.
Kevin Love’s Signature Pass Is Inspired by the Past Author: Scott Cacciola Publication: The New York Times
CLEVELAND — Whenever Kevin Love grabs a defensive rebound, he goes through a series of calculations. First, he spins to look toward the opposite basket. Are any of his teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the defense? If LeBron James has his hand up, for example, that is an instant cue for Love to make one of his favorite plays: the long outlet pass.
“If I see LeBron with any sort of advantage,” Love said, “I’m going to throw it.”
Absent an undefended James, Love continues with his mental checklist. Starting from the far end of the court, he searches for the next available teammate — essentially a process of elimination. He likes to get the ball to Kyrie Irving near midcourt so that Irving can use his dribbling skills to create offense against disorganized defenders. – CLICK HERE to read full story.
