LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t worried about their uneven start to the 2017-18 NBA season
The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t exactly gotten off to the best of starts. In fact, through six games this season, the Cavs are just .500. Cleveland has lost three of their last four games, to the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans.
Perhaps what’s most concerning isn’t the fact that the Cavs have lost to the lowly Nets and Magic, but the fact that they sport the NBA’s fifth worst defense, allowing 109.3 points per 100 possessions.
They also have a net rating of -3.3 through six games.
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Despite it all, though, the Cavs aren’t worried. LeBron James and Tyronn Lue both know this is going to be a long season, one with both ups and downs, especially with all the new faces.
"[via ESPN]“I’m fine,” James said after finishing with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds while filling in at point guard again as Derrick Rose continues to be sidelined with a sprained left ankle. “I’m fine, and we’re fine. It’s a long season. It’s way too [early to judge].”…“I’m not concerned,” Lue said."
It should also be noted that the Cavs are currently playing without Derrick Rose, who suffered an ankle injury last week, and Isaiah Thomas, who is expected to be out with a hip injury until at least January.
Usually, when it comes to LeBron James led teams, there’s really no reason to panic this early. Cleveland is six games into their season, and is really still learning how to play together. The early struggles aren’t exactly surprising. The teams that the Cavs are losing to are.
Ultimately, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as has been the case the last four years, are going to be judged by what they do – or don’t do – in the playoffs and/or NBA Finals.
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When LeBron says that it’s too early to judge, he’s right. At the same time, the early returns on the Cavs are somewhat disappointing. But there’s still plenty of time to turn it around.