Rim Protection

[ThirdEyeSharp]

As it stands we currently don't have a rim protector on defense. So naturally, the question is will our defense survive without one? What do you think?

I say yes, because while we don't have rim protection, why is it assumed that players can get to the rim so easily? If we have a defense designed in making it hard for teams to get to the rim we can be a successful defense. Also, people are underestimating just how much defense our offense will play for us. I don't see many teams controlling pace against us, we're gonna put pressure on other teams to keep up with us and it's gonna force them to make mistakes.

[CAVS ARE BACK]

Media/other fans have to find something wrong with the Cavs.

[B Mac]

Well for starters, LeBron is pretty damn solid at protecting the rim, but admittedly he shouldnt have to put too much focus there.

Also, Varejao's defense is criminally underrated. While not necessarily deserving the rim protector status, his on ball defense is stellar, and he mastered the rule of verticallity before Roy Hibbert was even in the league. He has always been a near elite defensive player.

Haywood will also be good for bodying up the big centers in this league. There are very few guys who will out muscle him, and Haywood being surprisingly healthy will be a big boost.

Tristan should show some major improvements defensively as well. It wasnt too long ago that blocking shots was thought of as his biggest attribute.

In short, I think we're going to be much better than non-Cavs fans are hoping for.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

I think we have the potential to really do well on the wings as well, which would take pressure off of the big men. I don't want one on one opportunities for opposing guards against our bigs, if love and Andy get in foul trouble were screwed. Our perimeter D needs to be our best attribute.

[Dupp]

why is it assumed that players can get to the rim so easily?

Kyrie + Love pick n roll defence.

[tidho]

why is it assumed that players can get to the rim so easily?

...because no one on the perimeter can defend?

I think we'll be ok in the paint, we don't have a 'rim protector' but we do ve good 'lane protectors'. Reality is neither works if you can't defend on the perimeter and what we've seen so far with this team is that we can't stop guards from getting into the lane.

There are guys out there, we just need to recognize the need and address it. I'd look at Jared Cunningham if he doesn't make the Clippers, or Jamaal Franklin who will be available in early December. Get the perimeter defender and you minimize the lack of rim protection.

[gflem]

One thing not mentioned is how Blatt feels about guards waltzing through the lane. The way this team has played historically is to not knock guys to the floor. IMO, if your big is going to get a foul he may as well look to intimidate the smaller player into not wanting to drive to the basket.
It's done on every playground where bball is played across the country, bigger players are always trying to intimidate smaller, faster players. I know there are refs, and they aren't on a playground but this team has been so damn soft for so long that it really bothers me.
This goes all the way back to the Lenny Wilkens era here, and its about time this team started to play with some ferocity on defense. They are playing for a title now, and opposing teams should not be looking at this team like a finesse team that can outscore them, they should be coming in knowing that they are in for a physical game every time. To me, rim protection is as much about physicality as it is shot blocking.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

So far, Love has been absolute ass at covering both sides of picks. Rim Protection stands out right now as our weakest trait because teams are getting there really easily.

[zimpy27]

Just going to float this out there..

Let Love walk at the end of the season and sign Marc Gasol to a max instead.

[Dupp]

Yeah not gonna happen

[tidho]

So far, Love has been absolute ass at covering both sides of picks. Rim Protection stands out right now as our weakest trait because teams are getting there really easily.

Based on this evaluation, how do you conclude rim protection is the biggest need? Doesn't your very accurate point that "teams are getting there (the rim) really easily" strike you as the issue?

Its perimeter defense people! Its been obvious sinse well before the season began.

[zimpy27]

So far, Love has been absolute ass at covering both sides of picks. Rim Protection stands out right now as our weakest trait because teams are getting there really easily.

Based on this evaluation, how do you conclude rim protection is the biggest need? Doesn't your very accurate point that "teams are getting there (the rim) really easily" strike you as the issue?

Its perimeter defense people! Its been obvious sinse well before the season began.

I all starts at rim protection, perimeter defense works when they have trust that if their man gets by them there will still be a cover at the rim. It's next to impossible to stop someone getting past you towards the rim from 30 out.

Cavs need perimeter defense improvement too but it all starts at the rim.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

I never said need it's our biggest glaring weakness. We need to play great perimeter defense because we don't have rim protection. Which is gonna be hard to do.

[tidho]

Little bit of chicken and egg I guess but to me even if they had Dikembe back there, it won't work if opposing guards aren't slowed at all. ....and Dikembe isn't available.
Team defense will work if you can slow the guards with perimeter defense. Andy, Thompson, and even Love will be able to rotate, if opponents don't get clear paths to the basket.
That means better effort from Kyrie, a roster addition to help with guys he's not physically able to defend, and LeBron giving a crap on the defensive end.

[kiwibrindle]

Look guys, most NBA players do not play defense. The league is build for scoring. Championship teams set themselves apart with defense. As a team we are weak in defense overall and strong on offense. Dion and Kyrie are not good defenders; K. Love is not a good defender, Andy is a little slow, and Tristen may look like its an okay defender when he gets a block but he is as stupid as a rock on defense (and he has no touch, most of his points are dunks).

Kyrie is a scoring machine and can take almost everyone off the dribble to either side with either hand. But on defense, the opposite is true. He is a revolving door (watch tonight how many times he gets beat to his left and then watch what he does - zero he stands there and watches after he gets beat). That's what is the worst. He gets beat and then just watches instead of boxing out or picking up someone on the help side. I just hope he wants to become as good of a defender as he is a scorer.

Harris and Marion are good defenders. That's why they are both getting minutes. They are not the best scorers yet or anymore but they are solid on defense. Harris needs to shoot a 1000's threes a day off of screens every day. Just catch and shoot.... over and over and over. I'd love to see him become the next Rip Hamilton in his prime. I doubt it, but his dee is solid. Marion is showing he has a lot in his tank still. I give mad probs to Shawn whos been around a long time.

Dion has shown some improvement and looks committed to getting better but is not as good as Harris is right now which is sad. He too is slow side to side on defense. But he's is trying. To be honest Chery's dee is better then both Kyrie and Dion's.

Kevin Love is a very weak defender (good thing he can shoot). Any PF with speed will light him up. It has happened too many times to count already this season. When it happens usually Andy tries to help and leaves his man then Andy looks bad. Its Kevin's fault most of the time. What scares me with K. Love is he scores early and when he gets tried his shooting percentages on the floor and at the line go way down. If this does not start to change you may not see him at the end of close games.

Thank God we can score. Our dee is almost unwatchable. I just hope the team shows a willingness to try hard soo or LBJ will continue to try less then he is capable of.

PS Please Cavs trade TT for someone. I can't stand watching him get beat again and again and again. Hope the T wolves trade us Turiaf and Brewer for dumba$$ or something like that soon.

[ThirdEyeSharp]

^^That post gave me cancer