Washington just put up 71 points in the first half on the Cavs home floor, but people don't think Cleveland should be worried about their defense?
This isn't something that they can just "turn on" in the playoffs. They don't have the above average defenders to do that. They have deep-seated issues with their defense, especially rotations and just playing bad defenders,that go well beyond effort.
Team effort is weak. Half-hearted closeouts, late switches, failing to chase shooters around screens, and bigs waiving at guards as they go by is what I saw. I expect better effort and intensity once the playoffs start.
Now will that fix their core defensive issues, maybe. Kyrie and Love are notoriously bad defenders that when they give effort and focus on that end a bit more they can at least be passable. Thompson has historically been a much better defender than he is showing. Those three need to all be better.
Because I do think too many of the role players are just bad enough on defense that they aren't able to cover for the stars. Korver in particular stands out as terrible. Frye is really bad too.
LeBron is going to have his work cut out for himself. He needs to be at his peak. I wonder if he has the stamina for that.
