The Cleveland Cavaliers Are In The Midst Of An Identity Crisis

The Cavaliers fell to a game above .500 following inexcusable loss to a Portland team after blowing a 16-point lead

The honeymoon phase is very much over with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Two seasons ago the wine and gold was considered ahead of schedule and gave fans a truly enjoyable run to the play-in tournament. Last year, a September blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell upped the ante, which made the team's first-round collapse in the playoffs a frustrating end to grasp.

This current season was supposed to bring major leaps of progress: from young stars like Evan Mobley, new additions like everyday small forward Max Strus, from a team that now had real tangible playoff experience.

19 games in, it's unclear exactly what the identity of this revamped Cavs team is. 

Much has been made of Cleveland's emphasis on the picking things up on the offensive end of the floor. There are notable differences being made there such as the slight uptick in pace of play, up to 102.6 this season from 99.5 a season ago. They're utilizing their transition offense more frequently as well. 

Meanwhile, Mobley is averaging career highs in points, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and offensive plus-minus. The fact that he's specifically looked more assertive on the offensive end of the floor is encouraging. Additionally, Strus, has introduced that much needed "Heat Culture" philosophy to the team.

In adjusting their style to focus on the offensive end though, it's cost the wine and gold in other areas. Most notably on defense. What was once the calling card of this young, on the rise bunch, has become a side dish on their menu. 

The Cavs proudly led the league in defensive rating last year. They're currently eighth so far this season, yielding two ticks more per their opponents possessions than they were in 2022-23. 

There's other context for that of course. Injuries haven't helped, particularly with starting center Jarrett Allen who missed the first five games of the season with an ankle injury. His presence has brought more consistency on that end of the floor.

Still, something is missing, and that was on full display when Cleveland blew a 16-point, first-half lead to the five-win Portland Trail Blazers. Call it a lapse, call it an off night, find whatever excuse makes you sleep comfortably at night. It's a troubling sign for a team supposedly ready for bigger and better things.

"I think we all know that we're a really good team, but some days we just have thos lackadaisical days," Darius Garland said postgame. "That's where we have to grow at. We have to act like a playoff team as we talk about it."

Garland hasn't helped matters averaging four-plus turnovers per game, which ranks second worst in the league behind only Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons. His frustrations were shared by his running mate Donovan Mitchell, who called the loss a "wake-up call the team needs. Meanwhile, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff looked like he'd seen a ghost while he delivered a solemn, two-minute postgame presser.

From top-to-bottom, this one clearly rattled the wine and gold.

Nov 30, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) throws a pass between three Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The good news for Bickerstaff and these Jekyll and Hyde Cavaliers is that there's still time to igure this thing out. More than 60 games remain on the schedule. The sky isn't falling...yet. 

That said, the next month will paint a telling picture about where this team is heading. If the new philosophy doesn't bare the results Bickerstaff is looking for soon, he may need to consider pivoting back to what made the Cavs great last season – their defense – and live with the results. 

Otherwise, the organization will have some serious soul searching to do when the calendar flips to 2024. About the coach. About the makeup of the roster. All of it.