The Cleveland Cavaliers just registered their second-worst (3-5) first eight games since LeBron James joined the organization back in 2003. The loss against the Indiana Pacers also marked the fourth time a team led by LBJ has lost four games in a row according to Elias Sports (via NBA.com). LeBron’s career most consecutive losses stands at 5 while playing alongside Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat (02/27/2011 to 03/08/2011).

But Cavs fans don’t need to worry just yet – there were seven NBA teams who started the season with 3-5 win-loss record and still managed to reach the NBA Finals.

However, what’s more concerning was the fact that the Cavaliers have only one convincing win while incurring four blowout losses against teams which did not pose any threat against them last season.

Dismal performance

“We have an opportunity to be very good and then you see some of the lulls that we have and it's just very difficult on our team right now,” LBJ said as posted by ESPN. “We're just trying to figure it out on the fly. ... So, our team is kind of depleted as well, both on and off the floor,” obviously referring to Isaiah Thomas and now Tristan Thompson who left the game in the second quarter with a left calf strain.

Still, the Cavaliers’ defeat cannot be blamed for those who aren’t playing.

Against the Pacers, the Cavs turned the ball over 16 times – eight of them by LeBron. “That's way too many,” LeBron admitted. As the leader of the team, he took “full responsibility for all our turnovers tonight because it starts with me.”

Numbers’ game

If LeBron’s numbers are the only basis of the team’s success, they could be sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference.

And though LeBron just joined the Elite group of players with 400-plus 30-point game – Michael Jordan (562), Wilt Chamberlain (515), Karl Malone (435), Kobe Bryant (431) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (429) – the lack of support from other teammates spells the difference even after the Cavaliers' air-it-out meeting to address their struggles last Tuesday.

Nonetheless, basketball is a team effort and numbers won’t lie. According to Basketball-Reference, the Cleveland Cavaliers ranked dead last in terms of Defensive Rating, giving away 114.40 points per 100 possessions. They are only at No. 16 on Offensive Rating and a Net Rating of -6.68, currently ranked 25th in the league. But Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue isn’t ready to push the panic button just yet.

Rotation problem

But what contributes to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ woes?

There are a couple of things to consider in answering this question. First, with LeBron being unable to play for most of the preseason games due to injury, it gives a rotational problem for coach Ty.

Having LeBron James play alongside Jae Crowder and Kevin Love at the frontcourt was a dream come true for many coaches. Add to the fact that you have Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. Sadly, coach Ty did not have enough time to figure out how to play and space them together.

On the offensive end, it’s a good thing Kevin Love has already adapted to his newfound role as stretch-4; in fact, his outside stroke has vastly improved. The problem is that both LeBron and Jae are natural small forwards, as well as Jeff Green.

Add to the equation Rose and Wade’s offensive instincts of attacking the rim, and then you get spacing problem down the baseline.

Yet the more revealing story lies with the Cavaliers’ weakness on the point guard position which has been exploited by opposing teams. The problem is that Isaiah Thomas isn’t expected to return until January; Dwyane Wade isn't expected to bring the same defensive intensity especially now that he's turning 36 this coming January, while Derrick Rose is known for his defensive lapses. If the losses continue, many Cavs fans believe that coach Ty could be on his way out.
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