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5 big problems facing LeBron James and the Cavs

By Bryce Olin

Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) pose for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Team Hill guard Dion Waiters (3) celebrates after a three point basket during Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Team Hill guard Dion Waiters (3) celebrates after a three point basket during Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Dion Waiters

The worst part of James going back to Cleveland was the ridiculous speculation that Waiters could be the next Dwyane Wade. Sure, Waiters and Wade are similar players, in that they play the same position and are around the same height and body build. Other than that, I can’t say Waiters and Wade are really that similar at all.

I know the hater police are going to come at me in full force after questioning Waiters’ ability, but I’m not hating on Waiters. I like Waiters and think he’s going to be a good pro, but I’m realistic about how good Waiters is at this point of his career.

Wade 

Season Age G MP FG FGA FG% 3P% AST STL PTS
2008-09 ★ 27 79 38.6 10.8 22.0 .491 .317 7.5 2.2 30.2
2009-10 ★ 28 77 36.3 9.3 19.6 .476 .300 6.5 1.8 26.6
2010-11 ★ 29 76 37.1 9.1 18.2 .500 .306 4.6 1.5 25.5
2011-12 ★ 30 49 33.2 8.5 17.1 .497 .268 4.6 1.7 22.1
2012-13 ★ 31 69 34.7 8.2 15.8 .521 .258 5.1 1.9 21.2
2013-14 ★ 32 54 32.9 7.7 14.1 .545 .281 4.7 1.5 19.0
Career 719 36.6 8.7 17.7 .492 .289 6.0 1.8 24.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/29/2014.

When James joined the Miami Heat, Wade was coming off one of the best seasons of his career and actually carried the Heat most of James’ first season. It wasn’t until their second season together when James emerged as “the guy” in Miami.

I don’t think I have to clarify this for the real NBA fans out there, but Wade is one of he best shooting guards of all-time, probably third behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. That’s who James had playing next to him in Miami, Wade at the end of his prime. Waiters is not that caliber of player right now.

Waiters 

Season Age G MP FG FGA FG% 3P% AST STL PTS
2012-13 21 61 28.8 5.5 13.4 .412 .310 3.0 1.0 14.7
2013-14 22 70 29.6 6.1 14.2 .433 .368 3.0 0.9 15.9
Career 131 29.2 5.8 13.8 .424 .342 3.0 0.9 15.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/29/2014.

It’s not necessarily that Waiters is or will be the problem, but the problem will the be the result of not having enough possessions to go around. Remember, this team has yet to play a game together and still haven’t figured out how they’re going to co-exist together. Somebody might start to get jealous.

If there’s one takeaway from James’ four years in Miami, it’s that you can’t just pick and choose what guy gets the ball on every possession and let them try to score. That didn’t work. There has to be some fluidity within the offense, and I don’t see how that translates to fit the Cavs’ personnel.

James is a much better player with the ball in his hands. Irving is a better player with the ball in his hands. Waiters is a better player with the ball in his hands. Last time I checked, there’s only one ball.

How long before someone becomes unhappy with their role? Is Love going to be the Cavs’ version of Bosh and make him, primarily, a jump-shooter? I don’t think so.

That leaves Waiters as the odd-man out in this situation.

Right now, it might be fine and dandy with Waiter and the rest of the Cavs, but in the fourth quarter when they’re down by five with two minutes left and Waiters is not getting the ball, we’ll see how long he stays happy.

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