No Need to Panic After Cleveland Cavaliers’ Opening Night Loss

By Casey Drottar @cdrottar19 on October 31, 2014

Initially, when considering how to assess last night’s season-opening loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers, I thought I’d gauge the reaction on Twitter. However, after seeing an incredible amount of panic, more than a few claims of “maybe LeBron James shouldn’t have lost all the weight,” and blaming the defeat on the fact Justin Bieber was in attendance, I figured this was probably not a good idea. Well, almost; there might be some logic with that last one.

Regardless, last night likely leaves Cavaliers fans a little deflated. Before the game, it was an absolute circus in the city of Cleveland. There was celebration in the streets, there was a level of excitement which could likely be heard from all sides of Lake Erie; it was a city-wide homecoming party the likes of which no one had ever seen before. It had been over three months since James announced he was coming back to Cleveland, and last night was the first time fans could see what they’ve been waiting for.

However, the New York Knicks came to spoil the festivities. Despite playing in a deafening arena, the Knicks took home a 95-90 win, which nobody would’ve predicted after their blowout loss to the Chicago Bulls the night before. James, on the other hand, was very shaky, committing more turnovers than made field goals. It was quite obvious to everyone watching that he was just a little too nervous, having trouble keeping himself steady during what was very obviously an emotional night.

Essentially, the loss was the equivalent of letting the air out of a balloon. However, it appears to be having a little more of a lasting effect one day later. Looking around social media, listening to the radio, it certainly sounds like there’s still a noticeable panic. Yes, after the season opening loss – night one of an 82-game schedule – there are some wondering if this Cavaliers team is really as good as advertised.

To those who are already eyeing the panic button, I have just a small piece of advice: calm down.

It’s amazing what can happen when one of the most overhyped games in Cavaliers history ends with a defeat. Can this team really work together? Is James going to struggle like this all season? Is coach David Blatt going to be able to figure out how to work with all this talent? The Knicks got plastered by the Bulls before they came to Cleveland, but the Cavaliers couldn’t beat them? Seriously?

I’ve heard these questions and more since the final buzzer last night, and I couldn’t be more confused. Yes, I get it; this year’s edition of the Cavaliers roster is easily one of the most talented in team history. And yes, it made all the sense in the world to look at the players on the current team and assume they were going to wipe the floor with New York. When the Cavaliers played most of the game flat and out of sync, I completely understand why it might have been surprising to see.

At the same time, you have to remember what Cleveland is dealing with here. It’s easy to forget that, despite signing the best player in the NBA and acquiring one of the league’s top power forwards in Kevin Love, this team still has some kinks to work out. They’ve technically only been playing together for one month. They’re doing so under a coach who has never been in the league before. And he’s teaching them an offense which takes some time to learn.

Anyone who thought this would be an overnight revamp was reminded of all the aforementioned issues last night. Just adding James and Love doesn’t mean Cleveland is going to average 150 points per night. They need to figure out how to play with each other efficiently, and sorry, this will take longer than one quarter of regular season basketball.

Many were upset with how the Cavaliers performed against a Knicks team which was booed off their home court Wednesday night. How could Cleveland play so poorly against a team who lost by 24 to the Bulls in their opener?

This, too, is yet another reminder of where the Cavaliers are compared to Chicago. Remember, the Bulls are made up of a core which has played together for the past few seasons. They’re run by a coach who’s entering his fifth year on the bench. The Bulls have been together for years. The Cavaliers have been together for weeks. There’s a reason many league pundits are still labeling Chicago as the class of the Eastern Conference, and this is why.

As many fans struggle to comprehend last night’s results, it seems as good a time as any to remind you one loss does not determine how the season will go for the Cavaliers this year. Remember, last year Cleveland won its season opener, and that team was infinitely less talented than this year’s roster. Still, as a result of the win, many around the city were already thinking about the postseason. Of their next 81 games, those Cavs only won 32. This, of course, will happen when your team is caveated by the phrase “as long as Andrew Bynum stays healthy…”

So, no, opening the season with a win doesn’t guarantee a playoff berth, just as last night’s loss doesn’t merit freaking out about whether or not everyone got way too excited for this year’s team. It’s going to be important for Cavaliers fans to remember these players are enduring some growing pains as they learn how to play together for the first time. Though it may not be what everyone wants to see after waiting three months to watch the players in action, it’s the reality of the situation.

I believe this team will eventually look like what everyone was hoping for. I’ll still believe it if they come out of tonight’s matchup against Chicago with an 0-2 record. Nobody needs to panic right now, just give the Cavaliers some time. Remember, we’ve still got a long season ahead of us.

Casey Drottar is a Featured Columnist for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @CDrottar19 or “Like” him on Facebook