YAYsports! NBA

That may not be entirely accurate, but if we ran the Cavaliers, that’s exactly where he’d be.

After building a big lead in the first half, Cleveland scored a massive total of nine points in the third quarter and ended up losing by like eleven or something at Indiana.

(No, we can’t be bothered to check the exact numbers - it’s too disturbing to have to relive in any such detailed form.)

Same old story - lack of motivation and energy. This has to be the worst 8-5 start in NBA history - the team can play absolutely great when they want to, and they’ve done that for a complete 48-minute game exactly once this season.

We refuse to even look at the recap and yank a quote - instead, let’s go to ABJ columnist Terry Pluto, who wrote yesterday morning (before last night’s game obviously) all about the problems this team is having.

(He’s been asking and answering questions of himself for years btw- we quite enjoy it.)

Q: Doesn’t Brown usually mention a lack of defense when the team loses?

A: Yes, there are breakdowns. But the Cavs are allowing only 93 points per game, third lowest in the NBA. The real trouble spot is offense, which ranks 21st at 96 per game. That’s low for a team with LeBron James and some other scorers. They have a bigger problem on offense.

Q: Why say that?

A: In the past three games, in the fourth quarter they scored 12 points against the Raptors, 17 against the Grizzlies and 41 points in the second half against the Wizards. In Toronto, they went 0-for-10 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but didn’t shoot a single free throw. They just heaved up long jumpers. It was the same against the Grizzlies.

Again, we can’t check the numbers, but it was the same thing last night, in addition to a pathetic effort (in the second half).

And what does Brown do? Stand there with his hands in his pockets doing that thing with his lip. (It’s like a half lick/half bite.)

Honestly, he looks like he can’t wait to get off the court and into the office to watch film so he can “work”. Our conclusion is thus:

* Great x-and-o guy. When they’re doing things right, it’s smooth as hell on both ends. The “when they’re doing things right” part is where the red flags start going up all over our house. Why can’t they do things right like at least 80% of the time?
* Great friend to the players - he’s undoubtedly a nice man and treats everyone with respect.
* Horrible, terrible, awful motivator. This might work two years from now when LeBron will fully embrace the leadership position, but right now this team needs someone to lay into them, “execute or sit next to me on the bench while I seethe” style.

What we’ve described above? Those three qualities? It’s a perfect description for…an assistant coach. Sorry, Dan (Gilbert). We love ya, but Mike doesn’t have it. When he was like this last year, we chalked it up to being a rookie head coach.

That’s no longer valid, and we aren’t in possession of the “he’s a second year head coach” card.

Not with this team, with this talent, in this conference, with that Lebron James.

NOTE: We love Daniel Gibson. Sure, he makes mistakes, but dude can score and has no fear. The next time we see the David Wesley/Eric Snow backcourt we may become a cutter.

NOTE 2: We keep saying this and nobody else has picked up on because apparently the national media is only able to fixate on box scores. His head is officially elsewhere: THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH LEBRON.