| Getting Offensive Authored by Chris Kreider - February 3, 2009 - 6:10 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Merry Christmas, Raptors Fans The Raptors might not be playing good basketball right now, but there are plenty of things for Toronto fans to be thankful for this holiday season.
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Defense indeed wins championships, but not by itself. This series was evident of that. The Cavs ended up winning Game 6 and later losing Game 7 – and the Conference Semis – to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were similarly strong on defense but much more dangerous on offense, resulting in the 10th round knockout of the Cavs. In order to contend with teams like Boston for Eastern Conference supremacy, and most importantly NBA supremacy, the Cavs must improve on offense. With the 2008-09 season now months underway, it looks like Cleveland has already done just that. To demonstrate this, take a look at the points-per-100 possessions ratio (a calculated efficiency rating of a team’s offense). Last year the Cavs averaged 106 points per 100 possessions. The Cavs are averaging a much improved 112.9 points per 100 possessions. Several variables can be attributed to this improvement. Here are a few that should be recognized.
General Manager Danny Ferry was finally able to assess the lack of a consistent second scoring option. Almost since the day he was drafted, LeBron has had the responsibility of independently making the offensive engine run for the Cavs. When James would be taken out of a game last year, it was not uncommon to witness a complete meltdown on offense. There was no one on Cleveland’s roster that could step in and replace the scoring and the energy that LeBron takes with him when he sits on the pine. Last year it was ugly. This year it’s Mo Williams, and Mo Williams is anything but ugly. Often when LeBron sits this season Mo will step into that role almost seamlessly. Mo’s ability to create his own shot and pick up the scoring slack has definitely had a positive effect on the team’s offensive efficiency.
The improvements on offense should also be credited to the head coaching staff. Specifically speaking, the Cavs have been much better on offense due to a guy the players like to call “Q”. John Kuester, one of Mike Brown’s assistants, has been given the responsibility of being the Cavs' offensive coordinator. This move gave Kuester, a much more offensive-minded coach than Brown, the ability to not only draw up plays during timeouts but also redesign the Cavs offense – an offense that at times looked like a chess game at a nursing home last year. Mike Brown has definitely done a terrific job of delegating. Coach Brown has also successfully identified the strengths and weaknesses of each Cavalier on his roster. Brown has created consistent rotations that allow each role player to succeed. As a result players have embraced their roles, producing a cohesive offensive unit with great chemistry.
A final observation of the Cavaliers offensive success this year can be seen on the hardwood itself. Players have improved individually and are more determined to win than ever before. Delonte West has developed into a legitimate scoring option in the backcourt as he can knock down the 3-pointer and create his own shot off the dribble. Anderson Varejao has drastically improved his jump shot and Zydrunas Ilgauskas is close to eclipsing his career-best shooting percentage. In addition, the big man has buried ten 3-pointers this year. Rookie J.J. Hickson has hardly looked like a rookie as of late, maturing quickly in the absence of Ilgauskas. When Daniel “Boobie” Gibson isn’t concerning himself with what is shaved into the side of his head, he also remains to be a lights-out scoring threat that cannot be ignored when LeBron James drives to the hoop. The starters are stubborn, refusing to take the bad shot but instead making the extra pass. The bench is energetic and productive. The team is following in the footsteps of their selfless leader, who continues to get stronger, better and faster. At this rate, King James is a no-brainer MVP. James is leading the red-hot Cavaliers at a scorching pace, including an undefeated record in Cleveland, Ohio. Offensive efficiency is just one piece of evidence that the Cavaliers are playing every possession like it’s their last. If this success on offense continues, it may end up being the Celtics who are knocked out this Spring. |
