Cleveland Cavaliers: Can big names become a team? -- Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right before the season began, I wrote that the Cleveland Cavaliers were concerned about a "bumpy ride."
That was especially true in the first month or two.
General manager Koby Altman and his front office knew just throwing a bunch of big names together doesn't automatically turn into a good team.
But I doubt the Cavs expected the early ride to be this rocky ... and so awful on the defensive end of the court.
Here's a list of names:
- LeBron James
- Dwyane Wade
- Derrick Rose
- Kevin Love
- Isaiah Thomas
All five of those players have made All-Star teams.
James and Wade are certain Hall of Famers. Rose was the NBA's MVP in 2011.
Last season, Thomas was probably among the NBA's top five players. Certainly in the top 10.
Love is a elite rebounder, a solid scorer.
Yet, the Cavs are 5-7 after falling at the Houston Rockets on Thursday, 117-113.
1. Thomas is still recovering from a hip injury and has not played. So he is excused from this discussion. His return projected for January could be a huge boost to the team.
2. Of the five big names, only Love and James were with the Cavs last season.
3. James did play for four seasons (2010-04) with Wade in Miami. The Cavs are asking Wade to come off the bench for the first time in his career.
4. I thought Love and James would play well together. They were 25-10 in the last three seasons when Kyrie Irving was out. But they've not always blended well.
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