The Cleveland Cavaliers, whether they care to admit it or not, are under a lot of pressure to perform this season. Despite anyone in their right mind picking them to come out of the Eastern Conference for a consecutive year, and despite them being the odds-on title favorites for 2016, there is always going to be pressure to perform.
As reported by Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, LeBron James hasn’t been happy with the focus of his team going into the season, so Cavaliers players met during the preseason to address the issue.
James wasn’t the only one who noticed something didn’t feel right about the team’s demeanor. Other players saw it too, prompting a team meeting before they took off for an exhibition game at Toronto on Oct. 17.
“[We were] just making sure everybody is doing the right thing and having the right goals in their heads,” the Cavs’ Sasha Kaun said of that meeting.
Players, I’m told, spoke up about not liking what some considered to be a increasingly loose, frolicsome atmosphere. James, I’m told, chimed in on the need to straighten up. Guidelines were given and a renewed commitment was established.
The weight of the world is on James’ shoulders. He knows how much a championship would mean to the city of Cleveland. The Cavaliers may have the talent and depth to contend, but unless they approach the season the right way, the amount of quality players won’t mean a thing.
“All I care about is raising banners,” James told Northeast Ohio Media Group. “Nothing else. That’s what I’m here for.”
LeBron is aware of his timetable and acknowledges that he has no time to waste to raise a banner in Cleveland. Most would say the second half of the season is the most crucial time to play your best basketball, like the Cavs did last season, which may be true, but it’s never too early to start eradicating complacency and honing in on what needs to be done long-term. The Cavs won’t be at full strength again until Kyrie Irving returns to the lineup. They lost the season opener last night against the Bulls. As supremely talented as they are, nothing will be handed to them.
