They didn't need to see it. They already know the root of the defensive issues, once again claiming that familiar 29th spot in NBA defensive rating.
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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers scrapped their team-wide film session after an embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the home opener.
They didn't need to see it. They already know the root of the defensive issues, once again claiming that familiar 29th spot in NBA defensive rating.
Instead, they went over numerous different things and talked through potential changes ahead of Wednesday's game, turning over every stone in hopes of fixing the defense.
The problem starts with, but isn't necessarily limited to, communication breakdowns -- in transition and on switches.
"I think the biggest thing is communication," head coach Tyronn Lue said on Tuesday. "When you're switching you have to call the switches out so the man can't get behind and get dunks and layups and easy shots."
The Cavs have a motto on defense: ELC. That stands for early, loud and continuous. They reference it every day.
"By nature we have some guys that are quiet guys, they need to speak up, speak louder and call out the coverages," Lue said.
For his part, Lue has been much more vocal this season. He's constantly off his cushy bench seat, barking out instructions. Assistant coach Mike Longabardi is doing the same.
"He fights for us and he's screaming out there on the bench because he cares so much," Kevin Love said in defense of Longabardi. "We need to lock in to what he wants to get done and what the rest of the coaching staff wants to get done on the floor.
"I think attention to detail is key right now."
LeBron James, the team's on-court mouthpiece for the last four years, the one whose voice boomed the loudest on the defensive end, is no longer here. No one has stepped into that role. No one can. So instead of looking for just one person to shoulder that responsibility, Lue is demanding a collective effort.
If it doesn't happen, the coach won't hesitate to pull them off the floor.
"Either got to talk or they've got to come and sit down," he said.
Following Sunday's loss, Thompson said players know what to do. At least, they should. The Cavs have been working on this switch-everything scheme since the beginning of training camp. They've been drilled repeatedly on handling crossmatches in the halfcourt and in transition.
If they don't comprehend what's going on, then they can't be timid. According to Thompson, it's better to ask questions then go on the floor and "get your ass whupped."
Thompson also said the Cavs couldn't unleash their blitzing defense -- sending multiple defenders to slow down Hawks rookie Trae Young -- as much as they wanted on Sunday because they "didn't learn blitz package yet."
Rookie Collin Sexton said players need to "stop complaining and just talk it out and communicate."
Love stopped short of calling the new coverage scheme "complex."
Defense is clearly the team's primary concern heading into Wednesday matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, another chance to get their first win.
In past years, the Cavs typically switched 1-4 while blitzing with the 5-man. So, technically, this new plan to switch 1-5 is new -- mimicking the hip new trend in the NBA that's had mixed results.
"I mean, we're doing things that we don't normally do," Love said. "Maybe complex is a strong word for that, but just a lack of communication and our coverages just aren't there."
The word choice is irrelevant. Fixing the problem is much more important.
Through three games, the Cavs rank 28th out of 30 teams in points allowed (126.7). They are 26th in opponent's field goal percentage (49.5), 29th in opponent's 3-point percentage (43.8), 23rd in points in the paint (54.7) and 29th in defensive rating, allowing 121.4 points per 100 possessions.
Their pick-and-roll defense ranks dead last, allowing 1.29 points per possession.
"We have to simplify things," Love said. "We have to have our one or two coverages and stick to those out of the gate and kind of bring everybody along with what we're trying to do. We have seen defenses in the past in the four years I've been here where we have made things a little bit too complicated for ourselves so we went back to our basic coverages and then built it out from there. I think that's what you're going to see us doing here.
"But I think more than anything just having our brother's backs, helping each other on second and third efforts and if we do that we're going to be a lot better off."
Before he walked over to his post-practice media gathering, Lue could be heard saying, "Look at Thibs' defense."
Lue was referring to Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is known as a defensive mastermind. While his Timberwolves are having their own defensive issues, ranking 21st in defensive rating, the results don't match Cleveland's struggles in the first three games, especially during Sunday's game against the hapless Hawks.
The Cavs gave up a season-high 133 points. According to NBA.com's player tracking stats, they allowed 64 uncontested shots, 30 more than ones that were contested. The Hawks reached double figures in fastbreak points, the third straight team to hit that mark. Young picked Cleveland apart, becoming the second rookie since Stephen Curry in 2010 to finish with at least 35 points and 10 assists in a game.
"Defense is a ways behind," Love said.
For all of the Cavs' problems, including an apparent lack of communication -- both in the halfcourt and in transition -- that has led to three straight losses to begin this new season, Lue remains even-keeled.
"No, I'm not discouraged," he said.
