Why Cleveland Cavaliers Fans Shouldn't Panic After Slow Start



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Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman expected the Cavs to encounter early-season issues. "There's going to be some adversity," Altman told USA TODAY Sports just before the Cavs' 2017-18 season began. "There's going to be bumps in the road to start as we find this continuity. You bring in eight new faces, it's going to be hard. But we have veterans who are in a really good place mentally. They know how to play."

Perhaps it will take Cleveland longer than Altman or Cavs coach Tyronn Lue anticipated. At 3-4, the Cavs have one of the worst defenses in the league, a defense that has allowed at least 110 points in five of seven games. The Cavs gave up 114 in a loss to Orlando, 112 in a loss to Brooklyn, 123 in a loss to New Orleans and 114 in a loss to New York — all teams they were expected to beat.

Is it time to make bold, sweeping proclamations about what this means long term for Cleveland? Of course not. The season is too long, and Cavs superstar LeBron James has played too many seasons – now in his 15th and trying to reach his ninth Finals, including eight consecutive – to get too worked up about a slow start.

"What month is this for me? What is this? October?" James told reporters following the loss to the Knicks on Sunday. "I'm not about to go crazy over it right now. It's too long of a season, and I've been a part of this way too many times, so I'm the wrong guy to ask. I'm too positive right now." Teams are shooting 39.7% on three-pointers against the Cavaliers, and Cleveland's defense is giving up points in transition, a sign teams are beating them down the court for easy shot attempts. Cleveland has the fourth-worst defense in the NBA, allowing 109.8 points per 100 possessions.

Teams are shooting 39.7% on three-pointers against the Cavaliers, and Cleveland's defense is giving up points in transition, a sign teams are beating them down the court for easy shot attempts. Cleveland has the fourth-worst defense in the NBA, allowing 109.8 points per 100 possessions.