CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's January. The time of year when the Cleveland Cavaliers go through their annual slump.
Only this time it's lasted longer and the losses are more alarming. For the Cavs, the Eastern Conference kings the last three years, this is the worst it has been, something more than a midseason speed bump.
With the second-worst defense, an inexperienced general manger, a head coach reticent to change his lineup and an old and slow roster showing signs of decline, the frustration has built, reaching a boiling point Monday before practice. Unlike years past, there is no young, hungry offensive dynamo (Kyrie Irving) to pull them out of this funk. There's no easy answer.
And yet, one thing that hasn't changed is the target of the team's ire. It's Kevin Love. Again.
Yes, once the same victim of James' passive-aggressive tweet about fitting in as opposed to fitting out. The same soon-to-be five-time All-Star whose name has been mentioned in trade rumblings since the moment of his arrival.
As third wheel, he's become the obvious punching bag.
On Monday, players were upset that Love only played 3:04 in an embarrassing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder two days earlier because he was sick, then left for home before the game was over, and didn't show up for practice Sunday.
They were questioning not only Love, but also the organization for not accounting for where Love was during the second half.
This sure seems like classic deflection, an unwillingness to look in the mirror and focus on the true problems. On Sunday, Kyle Korver said the team needed to act like grownups and avoid pointing fingers. That won't lead to the turnaround everyone wants. One day later, that's exactly what happened, a continuation of the off-court bad habits being developed.
The Cavs are dealing with an abundance of issues. The toughest part is figuring out where to begin. Players shrug when asked how to fix them. They, too, are searching for answers.
Going back to the Christmas Day loss against Golden State, the Cavs have lost nine of 12. Eight are against teams in the playoff mix. During the 12-game stretch only one team has a worse net rating. That doesn't point to a championship contender.
The team meeting Monday included coaches and front office executives. Everyone from Tyronn Lue to GM Koby Altman was in attendance.
But pointing the finger at Love seems silly. He wasn't on the floor when Cleveland's feeble defense matched a horrible franchise record by giving up 148 points. He isn't the one with dreadful body language, admonishing teammates in public. He likely wasn't the one to leak details of a private team meeting to the public.
At the start of the season, Love accepted a shift to center despite that not being his most comfortable spot. That move has helped give the Cavs more floor spacing, outside shooting and a higher offensive ceiling.
Prior to Isaiah Thomas' return, which has unsurprisingly had a negative impact on many areas, Love was in the midst of his best season here. In December, a time when the Cavs continued their surge up the standings, Love enjoyed one of his best months, recording eight double-doubles in 13 games.
Love is averaging 18.6 points per game on 45.9 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from 3-point range. He's pulling down a shade south of 10 rebounds despite having little help on the boards with Cleveland's smaller-than-normal frontcourt.
He ranks seventh among power forwards, his natural position, in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus Wins, a category designed to provide an estimate of the number of wins each player has contributed to the team's total. His number, 4.28, ranks second among all Cavaliers. Love has also tallied 24 double-doubles, which ties him with New Orleans star Anthony Davis for eighth in the NBA. It's only one less than teammate James.
"Did I feel like a target? I think everybody, most people were a target," Love told reporters of the meeting. "We're trying to figure this thing out. People hold themselves to a very high standard on this team and we're a team that feels like we can compete at the highest level.
"For us, it's not about me. I'm not going to make it about myself. I'm sure with other guys it's the same thing. Biggest thing is moving forward. For me, the thing I've always done is kept my mouth shut and I continue to work hard and try to do best for the Cavs. That's all I can do tonight and moving forward these last 35, 40 games. Overall just try to help this team."
Love isn't perfect, of course. He's been one of the league's worst defenders, a common theme when scouring the roster. But he's been the second-most consistent performer. He's been the ultimate professional.
Others? Well, that's debatable.
How about Thomas? The diminutive point guard is still trying to regain his old form after a seven-month rehab process from a significant hip injury. But he's hurting the Cavs at both ends, looking like a high-usage odd fit with this offense while taking the team's defense to new depths. He's also been incredibly vocal about accountability, defense and overall effort, not exactly endearing himself to new teammates.
There's J.R. Smith. He's the fourth-highest-paid player on the roster, averaging a career-worst 7.6 points on 37.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from beyond the arc. Combined with his offensive struggles, as he's been hesitant to take open shots, Smith is statistically one of the league's worst defenders. His poor play has sparked a current search for an upgrade in the trade market.
Jae Crowder, speaking repeatedly about being uncomfortable in his new role, hasn't performed close to expectations since arriving in the Irving trade.
Tristan Thompson's offensive limitations restrict the Cavs at that end of the floor and he hasn't been nearly as effective on the defensive end. During Saturday's blowout loss, the Thunder attacked Thompson in one way or another on six straight possessions, getting baskets on all of those trips.
His calf injury earlier this season has been an obvious setback, but Thompson is taking minutes from stretchy big man Channing Frye, who was at the center of Cleveland's offensive rise during its best stretch.
Even James deserves some blame, as his numbers have dropped during this terrible month. He's the Cavs leader, the one expected to play -- and act -- like an MVP every night. The Cavs have a better net rating this season with James off the court. It's the first time that's happened in his illustrious career.
Lue could coach better. He could use different lineup combinations, which maximize the team's offensive ability, hoping that has a carryover to defense.
Where did the James/Korver minutes go? Didn't Frye earn more playing time? The Cavs' identity is spacing the floor and launching 3-pointers and Frye is a better fit than Thompson to play that style. Perhaps blitzing a bit less will keep the defense from being in a constant state of scramble. Should unproductive Smith really be getting 29 minutes per night?
Lue has a tough job, trying to manage a personality-filled locker room. He's trying to keep it all together behind the scenes. His job goes far beyond Xs and Os. But there are things he could be doing better.
It's entirely possible that roster construction is the issue and Altman needs to own some of that. This team is screaming for a trade deadline shakeup.
This is the Cavs as the All-Star break approaches. There are numerous players underperforming. There's plenty of blame to go around. But in making a list of the real issues, rather than trying to find a scapegoat, it's clear that Love is nowhere near the top. He's just the easiest target. That's nothing new.
The Cavs have reached a watershed moment. Where they go next is up to them.
In continued partnership with the Cleveland NAACP, ARAMARK Corporation, the Cavs and Quicken Loans Arena are excited to welcome three local minority-owned businesses to the Launch Test Kitchen family this month at Quicken Loans Arena.
| 03:22
It's a small, five-game slate in the NBA on Tuesday, with a couple of marquee national TV games highlighting the night. Keep it here for the latest scores, highlights and updates from all the action.
NBA scores for Tuesday, Jan. 23
All times Eastern
Cavs lose again
The Cavaliers held a dramatic, fiery meeting after their blowout loss to the Thunder, and apparently it turns out accusing teammates of faking sick does not produce results. The Cavs lost by double digits again on Tuesday in San Antonio, falling 114-102. It was their second loss in a row, and the Cavs are now just 3-10 since Christmas. And that is not going to cut it.
Cavaliers are 3-10 since Christmas after losing to the Spurs.
They were 24-9 prior to that pic.twitter.com/p9qJufCLzN — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 24, 2018
LeBron gets to 30K
As everyone assumed he would, LeBron James made history. Needing just seven points to reach 30,000 for his career, LeBron took care of that in the first quarter. Late in the frame, he knocked down a jumper to become just the seventh player in the history of the league to reach the milestone.
Welcome to the 30K club, LeBron James! pic.twitter.com/7KFiQft8XJ — Dime on UPROXX (@DimeUPROXX) January 24, 2018
Westbrook wins it for OKC
Russell Westbrook rescued the Thunder with a layup in the closing seconds that gave them a 109-108 win over the Nets. He got a little help from Paul George, who clobbered Spencer Dinwiddie with a moving screen, but the Thunder won't care about the missed call. They'll just be celebrating their fifth win in a row.
Curry cooks the Knicks
Steph Curry did his thing against the Knicks, finishing with 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists. He also drained eight 3-pointers to help lift the Warriors to a 123-112 victory.
Kuzma puts on a show, Lakers hand Celtics fourth straight loss
The Lakers' rookie put on a show against the Celtics. Not only did he finish with 28 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter, but he made a number of highlight reel plays. Kuzma's big night helped the Lakers to a 108-107 victory, handing the Celtics their fourth loss in a row.
So nice they did it twice!
Kuzma goes behind the back to Larry Nance Jr part 2!#LakeShow #NBARooks
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/n9WxEdOWwg — NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2018
KYLE KUZMA IS GOING OFF GET TO TNT! pic.twitter.com/YQ33VJk3LN — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 24, 2018
Aldridge submits another big night
The Spurs were short-handed again on Tuesday night, and again LaMarcus Aldridge stepped up. Fresh off the news he would be in the All-Star Game, Aldridge dropped 30 points and eight rebounds in the Spurs' 114-102 win over the Cavs.
Green throws down the hammer
Jeff Green can dunk with the best of them, as he showed against the Spurs. After tracking down an offensive rebound, Green found room along the baseline, and flew to the rim for a powerful slam.
VC's still got it
Vince Carter doesn't throw down as often as he used to, but he can still get up there. The Magic found that out firsthand on Tuesday night, when Carter got up for an impressive slam.
VC turned the ⏰ back for our @ChickfilA Play of the Game! pic.twitter.com/tqQHaK8IF5 — Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 24, 2018
Temple has career night in Kings' win
Garrett Temple had the best night of his career. He came off the bench to hit 14 of 17 shots, finishing with a career-high 34 points to help the Kings snap their eight-game losing streak.
Garrett Temple scores a career-high 34 PTS off the bench to lead the @SacramentoKings to the win!#SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/Eh6Hz0Wjak — NBA (@NBA) January 24, 2018
And-ones:
It's no secret that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for some help as the trade deadline approaches, as their team has been linked to players like DeAndre Jordan, Kemba Walker and George Hill.
It appears that one of those players, Hill, is on the verge of packing his bags for Cleveland. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, a deal for the Cavs to acquire Hill from the Sacramento Kings is imminent.
"Definite change happening. One trade for sure, maybe multiple," Windhorst said on Tuesday's episode of ESPN's "The Jump." "They're way down the road on a deal with Sacramento for George Hill. That's like on the 1-yard line."
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the discussions, and added that Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye have been the players most brought up in the potential deal.
Sacramento and Cleveland continue to discuss a deal for guard George Hill, league sources tell ESPN. Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye are primary players in ongoing conversations. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2018
Windhorst also reported that the Cavs have been talking with the Los Angeles Lakers about a potential trade, though he didn't identify any players. He believes the Cavaliers will make multiple moves to shake up their current roster.
Later Windhorst and Wojnarowski also reported that if the proposed Cavs-Kings deal goes down, Sacramento would have to clear a roster spot, and they've been looking at separate deals involving Malachi Richardson and Skal Labissiere in order to do so. Via ESPN:
Sacramento has to clear a roster spot to take on one or two additional players in a deal with Cleveland, and has been discussing deals for young forwards Malachi Richardson and Skal Labissiere to clear roster spots, league sources said.
Hill clearly hasn't worked out in Sacramento and the Kings appear to be headed toward a full rebuild, so they'll happily unload the three-year, $57 million contract he signed this summer. Frye's contract is expiring and Shumpert has a player option for next season, so the Kings would likely have no problem taking those players on. The Cavs could also throw in their own first-round pick this season (not Brooklyn's pick, which they received int he Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade), if they need to sweeten the deal.
The Cavs are getting desperate after losing nine of their last 12 games, and have reportedly turned hostile. Windhorst said that harsh language was thrown around during a team meeting in which Kevin Love was accused of faking an illness to leave the Cavs' blowout loss to the Thunder on Sunday.
At 6-foot-3, Hill is capable of playing both guard spots and is known as a capable defender (though the numbers don't indicate it this season), an area where the Cavs are sorely deficient. Hill's lengthy, expensive contract probably isn't ideal for a team that's looking to get younger and build for the future, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
The 31-year-old Hill has averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.9 rebounds for the Kings this season, but he put up a career-high 16.9 points per game last year for the Utah Jazz, while dishing out 4.2 assists per game.
Whether Hill is the answer remains to be seen, but it's clear that the Cavs don't think they have what it takes to win the NBA title with their roster as it's currently constructed.
