Not for the Cavs though. On the floor, you’ve got to have everyone on the same path, the same wavelength and the same beat or it’s not going to work.
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According to Cleveland.com, the Cavs are skipping the traditional routine of walking up the runway high-fiving one another as the public address announcer introduce their each of the team’s starters. So far this year though, the two are on the same page, and it is paying off for the Cavaliers. “We cut it to two or five points, then the floodgates opened for them”. “When you think you were in the right position or when you think you were playing hard or you think you did the right thing, it will tell you right then and there”. You have to stay ready.
“That’s how we need to play”, LeBron James said after putting up 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting – making eight of nine free throws – and finishing with nine rebounds and six assists. “We have to share the ball offensively, get the ball popping, defend at a high level and not turn the ball over”.
“We came apart when the ball was thrown up tonight”. “And a sense of urgency comes from playing a little bit angrier”.
But for how good those players have been, Victor Oladipo is in a major slump to start this season. “I didn’t think we displayed the kind of toughness that made us a team past year”.
As usually is the case when the Atlanta Hawks oppose the Cavaliers, the officiating did not play into the visitors favor, and featured some questionable calls and no calls. Yet James and coach David Blatt still found plenty to be upset about despite a win that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
James asked teammates about the idea last week, and it’s gone over well. Although, the visual of all 15 players listening and focusing on what Blatt is saying while their names are being blasted around the Q is quite the sight.
It’s understandable James wants his team to remain focused in the beginning of a long season as prohibitive favorites in the East, but he has to be pleased with where Cleveland is overall to date. The Cavs also have Mo Williams and Timofey Mozgov dealing with injuries and both players underwent MRI testing to see the severity of their injury issues. Having the most wins in their conference is probably not the main priority since LeBron will take a rest around the All-Star break, but it will be important for Cleveland to be competing in every game no matter who is healthy at that point.
Now, what is more professional and which one of those sends a message to the opponent.
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The Cavaliers huddle during pregame introductions.
