Make no mistake, the Cavs are still an absolute trash without LeBron

[Dray n Klay]

This guy matched Jordan's impact on the Bulls

[Hoopz2332]

they are god awful when lebron sits

Kyrie Irving shoulders blame for several of Cavs' poor fourth quarters

But there was one from which they couldn't recover, and it's a problem that has actually stretched across many of Cleveland's seven games, including its six wins.

The Cavs have not been a very good fourth-quarter team this year, and it holds especially true for the starts of the final period when Irving is leading the second unit and LeBron James is on the bench.

And that's why Irving wants to chuck his remote, why he said he takes it personally "when that energy shifts."

He's making a case as a top 10 player in the NBA and is the Cavs' leading scorer, but he's got to be able to sustain the offense when James is on the bench.

On Tuesday, the Hawks' lead ballooned from five to 15 until James returned with 8:23 left. Irving missed three shots during that stretch -- even more deflating because the Cavs had rallied from 18 down early in the third to get back in the game.

"When I missed those first two, they get back and they go up 11 and just a shift in energy starts to change and then we bring back Bron," Irving said. "For me, I want to give him a little more rest or whenever he needs to come or (coach Tyronn) T. Lue feels like he needs to come in, I just want to be able to either get the lead back or making it within one or make the game even closer than it was. It's my job as one of the leaders."

As previously mentioned, that hasn't been the case.

In the four games in which the Cavs have opened the fourth quarter with James on the bench and Irving anchoring the second unit, they've been outscored by 21 points in 14:15. The Hawks did the most damage in the least amount of time, but the Celtics last week trimmed a 16-point deficit to seven in 4:38 with Irving on the court and James taking a break.

Last season, Lue used James as the anchor for the second unit, especially during the playoffs when the Cavs' best player and four reserves wreaked havoc. The Cavs also had Matthew Dellavedova then, a backup point guard they trusted. They don't have one of those this season.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....rth_quart.html

[HurricaneKid]

Nope. Let's assume Lebron grew some balls and went to play in the west.

Lebron = $31 million

Cavs team with adjustments - Lebron + $31 million = ECF and most likely finals.

They would simply use that money for another star/s and form the team to compliment that replacement player/s strengths. To put it into perspective, AD is around $21 mil, Kawhi is around $18 mil. They could pick up a player like that and still have $10 mil to play with still putting them as the best team in the east. They have plenty of trading power also to make the new peices work. This isn't the 2007 Cavs roster.....they have the dealiest 24 year old finals performer in the league.

Do you pride yourself in your idiocy? Do you admit to yourself you are a troll or are you actually this stupid?

Do you believe that AD and Kawhi even EXIST in FA? Much less for what they signed their max deals for years ago?

The Cavs, without LeBron's 31M would be over the cap and would not have ANY money to spend on ANY free agent.

We know have 2 full seasons and 8 games this season to see what that team looks like with and without LeBron.

2014-15 -
-6.0/100 possessions with LeBron OUT
+10.8/100 IN
NET RATING of 16.8

2015-16
-4.8/100 possessions with LeBron OUT
+11.7/100 with LeBron IN
NET RATING of 16.5

2016-17
-11.0/100 poss with LeBron OUT
+15.8 with LeBron IN
NET RATING of 26.8
** VERY LIMITED SAMPLE SIZE

[SamuraiSWISH]

If Miami with their aged, and injured fellow super friends weren't dirty water trash. Then neither would this Cleveland team be, given their talent is all relatively healthy and in their primes.

[LakersForlife]

lebron is ****in trash without hof teammates..

[Dray n Klay]

lebron is ****in trash without hof teammates..

He won last year with 0 all-star teammates

[KirbyPls]

lebron is ****in trash without hof teammates..

At least he could win a playoff series unlike 12be.

[SouBeachTalents]

lebron is ****in trash without hof teammates..

And Kobe's trash even with several HOF teammates

[aj1987]

Nope. Let's assume Lebron grew some balls and went to play in the west.

Lebron = $31 million

Cavs team with adjustments - Lebron + $31 million = ECF and most likely finals.

They would simply use that money for another star/s and form the team to compliment that replacement player/s strengths. To put it into perspective, AD is around $21 mil, Kawhi is around $18 mil. They could pick up a player like that and still have $10 mil to play with still putting them as the best team in the east. They have plenty of trading power also to make the new peices work. This isn't the 2007 Cavs roster.....they have the dealiest 24 year old finals performer in the league.

This pretty much confirms why you are a broke [COLOR="Black"]f[/COLOR]uck pretending to be from Cleveland and making 6 figures, and not one actuating one making that kinda money.

[Replay32]

It's sad but true. They haven't proven they can win without him.