What's scary is we did care. We had to trap them on the perimeter eventually, because our on ball defenders, not just Kyrie, Shumpert too, were that bad, which was leading to WIDE OPEN, UNCONTESTED 10 foot jumpers down the middle of the paint.
This is red alert, we are in serious trouble right now on that end stuff.
Offensively, I'm not that worried because Korver and Love are coming back. JR is just getting back and will find his way.
But defensively, we really are not good.
Here's our roster and their defensive ability:
LeBron: literally one of the handful of greatest wing defenders ever when dialed in, even after 14 seasons if last year isnanything to go by.
Liggins: not necessarily a one on one stopper (his ISO defensive stats and DFG% allowed aren't too hot) but defends well within a scheme and has been a plus defender this year.
TT: positive defender but not a world beater difference maker. I really feel that a healthy Bogut would have gotten a lot of minutes, many of them taken from TT. But still, a positive defender.
Love: This has been his best defensive year. Opponents are shooting 1% worse against him than against all others, 5% worse on threes. The team is 7 points per 100 better on defense with him on court.
Shump: Was a top 5 wing defender over the past 5 years aggregate until this year, but he's still a slight + defender at times.
JR: can often provide solid defense although is by no means a defensive stopper.
Kyrie: pretty much awful on defense
Derrick Williams: has been awful his entire career and when LeBron is not on court, we see why.
Deron Williams: not entirely a sieve but not much if a defender anymore
Frye: Nope
Korver: smart, calls out plays, vocal, but a lot slower now and not the defender he once was
James Jones: Good God...
Look at that potpourri of def different shit. One really good defender, a few who can be at times, but mostly garbage. IF this team makes it to the finals this year, it will be (at this rate) the worst defensive team ever to make an NBA Finals.
