I haven't posted here since before Blatt was fired, but I figured I'd come and give some thoughts on the current state of Cleveland basketball.
Like most of you, I didn't care for Blatt's firing. "Sources" said that the players didn't like Blatt's personality, and if that's true, he had to go. What I disagree with is promoting Lue. I would've thrown as much money as necessary at Tom Thibodeau.
As far as the Frye move, obviously I like it. They paid a very small price to get better. I like Andy, but his contract was truly awful. I think Frye moves the needle, though divvying up play time will become increasingly more difficult.
To me, it just feels like this team isn't good enough to win a title. I know you have to keep the LBJ-Kyie-Love core around for at least one postseason run (where all are healthy), but there is a certain atmosphere around teams that are capable of winning a title, and I don't see it here. Yes, this team is one awkward fall from Curry away from being in the driver's seat, but let's not pretend they'd have a chance at the title if they were in the Western Conference. They are probably the third best team in the league behind San Antonio and Golden State, but it feels like a distant third to me. Every time it looks like they've integrated Love into the offense, or are capable of moving the ball, they revert back to iso-ball and Love ends the night with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Can they win the title with Love playing a minimal part? Maybe, but it doesn't make sense to marginalize the third best player on the team. It's also hard to say how this team best matches up with Golden State. I think they have to look at last year's Finals matchup and try to replicate that. You're never going to beat Golden State playing their game, so you have to slow it down and grind out four wins. How do Love and Kyrie fit into that gameplan? I'm not sure because Golden State would run P&R at them every play.
