Riders collapse quickly without LeBron James



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<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Kevin Love became the target of the infamous Cavaliers meeting last January. The team was in trouble and he left an early game a few days before, then missed the next training. His teammates demanded to know why. "Data-reactid =" 27 ">Kevin Love became the target of the infamous Cavaliers meeting last January. The team was in trouble and he left an early game a few days before, then missed the next training. His teammates demanded to know why.

"They are like to the point of saying" Unless someone dies, we do not give goose bumps. "Do you see what I mean?", Says Love. "And I say, I'm facing something. I will be better for you guys. But it's really a very difficult time for me. "Regarding the team, I do not know if some guys have heard that or not."

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue came to Love's defense, Love said. Love says that Lue talked about what Love later revealed as being a panic attack in a previous match. Love does not blame Lue, who was dealing with her own anxiety issues and thought Lue was trying to protect him. But Love also said that Lue had crossed a line inadvertently.

"It was kind of a shitty moment when I said," Man, if I was going to say something, I was going to say it on my own terms, "said Love.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "This and DeMar DeRozan the future has brought Love to talk about her anxiety and depression. Love said that the therapy had taught her lessons that are not only good for her mental health, but also for difficult basketball situations. "Data-reactid =" 31 "> The arrival of DeMar DeRozan led Love to speak openly about her anxiety and depression. Love said that the therapy had taught her lessons that are not only good for her mental health, but also for difficult basketball situations.

"I learned to do a lot of things that roll my chest. Many things, I absorb them and I can use them to strengthen my team or for myself in a very positive way, "said Love. "So, I think these definitely go together, because they have to do it.

"You grow up or you die."

***

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "James Lebron Comes back to Cleveland tonight for his first game there with the Lakers. "data-reactid =" 35 ">LeBron James returns to Cleveland tonight for his first game with the Lakers.

He will see his old franchise in ruins.

The Cavs are 2-13, the remains of a blocked LeBron list unable to compete without him. These are the consequences of four years of struggle for the title – win-win deals, long-term contracts, the need to rest rather than practice.

LeBron escaped to Los Angeles. The Cavaliers must take care of it.

They leave behind. Of the 13 teams that have had a bad start to a season in the past decade, only the Mavericks of the previous two years have done so with such an old middle age (weighted for playing time, maintaining the age of the player being constant on February 1st):

Cleveland has too many veterans accustomed to the competition. The current Cavaliers have 653 playoff games right behind the Warriors.

<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Go from meaningful games to this can be a shock to the system. "data-reactid =" 50 "> Switch from meaningful games to this can be a shock to the system.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "JR Smith said that the team was in tanking then sent home. Kyle Korver Management would have promised to be traded during the summer if LeBron left, but he stays on the team. Lue was fired after playing veterans. "Data-reactid =" 51 "> J.R. Smith stated that the team was in tanking and then sent home. The management would have promised Kyle Korver that he would be exchanged during the summer if LeBron left but stayed on the team. Read has been fired after playing veterans.

"It's not easy," said Larry Drew, Lue's replacement, about managing conflicting goals.

The Cavs should have traded Korver, a sniper, against a reasonable contract that would bring in value. But these are mostly understandable problems as a result of LeBron.

The Cavaliers have mortgaged their futures several times over the last four years, earning them a championship and three more appearances in the NBA Finals. It was worth it, even as the bill was due.

Nevertheless, many of Cleveland's problems are self-inflicted. Read told the veterans that they would have gone to the bench before changing course. The Cavs named Drew acting coach while he was resisting as such. A former assistant coach continues the team for discrimination based on age.

And before the season, the Cavaliers talked a lot about the competition and even launched their slogan "Be The Fight".

Instead, the Cavaliers are fighting for the worst ever record for a team after a playoff season (* reached the NBA Finals):

***

In his letter after LeBron's signing with the Heat in 2010, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert writes:

"I personally guarantee that the henchmen and winners will win an NBA championship before the former King" King "wins one of them."

Gilbert was wrong. LeBron won two titles in Miami. In the meantime, the Cavaliers have attempted to win, but have mostly accumulated only the high draft choices used to power their LeBron return run.

But it seems that Gilbert's feeling remains.

The same goes for Cleveland's perception of LeBron.

Over the past 20 years, the Cavs have played 11 seasons with LeBron and nine without him. Their worst season with LeBron (35-47 of his rookie season) was better than the best season without him (33-49 in 2013-14).

Gilbert believes it is urgent to prove that he can win without LeBron.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" I do not think it's urgent, because if it is urgent, so we would put more emphasis on victory, "Cavaliers guard George Hill data-reactid = "80"> "I do not think it's urgent, because if it's urgent, we'll put more emphasis on victory," Cavaliers guard Said George Hill.

Hill said that he thought the franchise – despite his public statements – had no intention of competing once this season had begun. How long will Hill, 32, stay patient?

"It depends on the purpose of the organization," Hill said. "If the purpose of the organization is correct, that's what I said, if we want to evolve, develop the right way, etc., then we have to be patient.

"But who knows what are the goals? We do not know. "

It's easy to see how that would rank veterans. See Smith. For his part, Hill said he focused on his job as a player and felt lucky to play in the NBA. Korver also said that he was ready to help a team build up.

And then there is Love.

***

Love came out with a foot injury that he hopes to keep at least six weeks longer. He remains busy promoting a campaign with Schick on mental health, including a series of videos talking about these issues with other athletes. In an episode of Locker Room Talk, Love and teammate Channing Frye discuss grief over the loss of family members:

In relation to this, the Cavs lose small potatoes. It is important to keep the perspective.

Still, the importance of Love to be heard on these issues comes from the fanaticism of the NBA audience. Post-LeBron, Love is the biggest star and franchise of the Cavaliers group.

<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "That's because they Have signed for a period of four years.the extension this summer worth more than $ 120 million.Love is very good, but it's a huge Bet on a superstar on the brink of a 30-year-old who is struggling with repeated injury problems. "Data-reactid =" 92 "> That's because they signed it for a four-year extension this summer, worth more than $ 120 million. is very good, but it's a huge Bet on a superstar on the wrong side of 30 years with repeated injuries.

A similar case was presented with Blake Griffin, which the Clippers traded for a short time after its signing last year. But at least Griffin helped L.A. to gain a little before being sent to the Pistons.

Cavaliers do not have much current value by imprisoning Love. He is injured and the team was ugly with him earlier in the season.

Love has, by far, the most money guaranteed (including this season's full salary) of all players over 30 who are part of a losing team:

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Only John Wall is guaranteed more money than love among older players than even age 23 Data-reactid = "105"> Only John Wall is guaranteed more money than Love in older players than ever before. 23 losers, and Wall's contract is considered one of the worst in the NBA.

That's not what Love expected when he signed his extension.

"We had high hopes for this year, to be competitive and maybe to slip into the playoffs," said Love. "But now, we have to kind of look at this season because we will have to have a state of growth."

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "It starts with Sexton Collin. "data-reactid =" 108 "> It starts with Collin Sexton.

***

Sexton sat in front of his locker to grab a snack before Cavs' defeat against the Pistons on Monday. He took a bite of his chicken, got up and threw his plate in the trash.

"It has not been done," said Sexton.

Sexton is the biggest remaining jackpot of Kyrie Irving. The 19-year-old who has just started his recruiting contract is the centerpiece of the Cleveland reconstruction.

The Cavaliers do not throw it, no matter how cruel it is.

When former teammates complained about Sexton, Drew asked them to be more patient. Sexton said it was the "right thing" to say, but insisted that he had no problem with older players.

Yet, some clumsiness is natural.

Sexton has played in the last five games as leader at the pace of an injured Hill. The rookie said the start made a big difference in his development, as he had to learn even more on the fly. But will he stay when Hill returns? No word yet.

"With our young guys, to grow, they have to play," said Drew. "But I'm not going to play against guys who continue to make mistakes and where I see things are not going in the right direction. I am very lucky that our young guys are allowed a few minutes. Our young guys produce. "

Sexton did well to go to his places and shoot down. The Cavs can definitely play without losing their credibility. But he also seems to be posing as a distributor and his defense is lacking.

The advantage: the Cavaliers continue to lose, and they are heading towards a high choice. More than anything, they need an influx of high-end talent and the best way to get it is to write it and develop it. Sexton, Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, Cedi Osman and Rodney Hood are not up to build.

The fact that the Cavs acquired Nance, Clarkson, Osman and Hood last year in order to win with LeBron and pivot to a brighter future if LeBron left makes the situation even sadder. Cleveland lost again in the final. Again. And there is little reason to be optimistic for the future and even less for the present.

The return of LeBron will give a reason to remember happily. Four conference titles and a four-year NBA title are a remarkable accomplishment.

But then he will return to Los Angeles and Cleveland will have to try something he did not do while he was alive: win without LeBron. No matter what the Cavaliers said, the reconstruction will be long.

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