Needy Cavs

Apathy. That describes my attitude toward the recently completed NBA Finals. That’s particularly sad because my hometown Cavaliers were in the Finals. I should have been overwhelmed with excitement. Instead, my interest was tepid at best. I was not alone, though; this year’s Finals were the lowest rated on TV ever.

Perhaps, though, my lack of interest was more the result of my cynicism and frustration toward the Cavaliers’ offense. It pains me to watch them run their offense (if you can call it that). The question is: how to fix it? A lot of people will clamor for a legitimate starting point guard. That would help, and Mike Bibby or Earl Boykins would represent a substantial improvement. But what this team really needs is someone who can consistently make open jumpers and knock down threes, and also someone who can create off the dribble and finish. Two years ago, the Cavs acquired Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones to fill that first need. They have proven largely ineffective, though, especially in this year’s playoffs, when both players barely shot over 30 percent from behind the arc.

The other need, though, is even more pressing. The only player on the team, other than LeBron James, trustworthy of handling the ball in the backcourt and then driving to the basket is Larry Hughes, and for whatever reason (injuries, lack of talent, fear, who knows), he rarely finishes what he starts. Hughes is a fine athlete, fine defender, and fine ballhandler, but he is too poor a shooter and a finisher to be LBJ’s second banana. As for everyone else on the team, they are limited to two options when having the ball: pass or shoot. There is no triple threat on the team. Sasha Pavlovic has made great strides in improving his ballhandling, and Daniel Gibson showed enough quickness to break down defenses in the playoffs, but they need to show more if they want to keep defenses honest.

Watching the Spurs, one can see how successful a balanced offense can be. Duncan is a force down low, Parker can break down any defense, Ginobili can do a little bit of everything, and then they have a bunch of reliable, veteran shooters (Horry, Barry, Bowen) to punish defenses that leave them open. Add a Parker and a Bowen to the Cavs, and they would be a force. Perhaps Bibby or Boykins could fill the role of Parker, and perhaps there is another diamond in the rough like Bowen out there. Regardless, until the Cavs address these two needs, they’ll have to settle for the title of Eastern Conference contender, because there is no way they can play with the Phoenixes and San Antonios of the world.