Fansided

The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready to embrace the tank

By Brad Berreman

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: Associate head coach Larry Drew of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 25, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Drew
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: Associate head coach Larry Drew of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 25, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Larry Drew /
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Everyone knew the Cleveland Cavaliers would be worse this year, but they are quickly moving into tank-mode.

Without the great deodorant that is LeBron James, it was possible that the Cavaliers would stink this season. An 0-6 start got head coach Tyronn Lue fired on Sunday, amid reports of a disconnect with the front office over who should be playing. Younger players will now get more run than they already were, with Larry Drew tabbed as interim head coach.

But Drew reportedly wants a commitment beyond this season before stepping in as interim coach. Over four seasons as an NBA head coach (with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks) he has made the playoffs three times, and a 15-67 season with the Bucks in 2013-14 diminishes his winning percentage (.458), but it’s odd to make such demands in the face of a rebuild in Cleveland. The Cavaliers had an 8-1 record under him last year, when Lue had to step away for health reasons, but a group led by James diminishes the credit Drew should get for that.

Kevin Love is dealing with a foot injury, which led to the Cavaliers to reportedly consider sitting him for a while. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Love is now expected to miss more than a month with an injured toe on his left foot.

Love being out of the equation takes the Cavaliers’ best player away, with Larry Nance Jr., Sam Dekker and Channing Frye in line for more playing time. Dekker started when Love missed his second straight game Saturday night, but Nance was more productive and should be the primary fill-in for Love.

Dan Gilbert has drawn worthy criticism as Cavaliers’ owner. The level of instability in key positions within the organization is notable, even with the idea James did not want David Blatt as his coach upon his return to the team.

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The first-round pick the Cavaliers traded to the Atlanta Hawks is top-10 protected in 2019 and 2020, so losing and getting as many lottery ping-pong balls as possible has to be on the agenda. Drew is the perfect coach to lead that full shift into tank-mode, whether he wants the gig or not.

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