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NBA Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers’ First Month Grade

By @DSchultz89

Cleveland Cavaliers' First Month Grade

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The most-watched team in the NBA had an interesting first month together thanks to the return of LeBron James as their leader.

Offense (B+)

Cavaliers offense
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Offense (B+)

Cavaliers offense
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The Cavaliers are currently 10th in PPG (103.3), 11th in 3P% and 12th in FG%. These marks are respectable for a team with a lot of new faces, not to mention a brand new offensive playbook. Curiously, however, they are tied for 16th in FGA, which suggests that they are getting used to a new system and trying to take good, smart shots. I expect all these marks to improve very soon.

Defense (C+)

Cavaliers Defense NBA
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Defense (C+)

Cavaliers Defense NBA
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This is an area where the Cavaliers must improve, seeing that they rank 15th in O3P%, 16th in OPPG, 23rd in OFG%. I have no worries whatsoever that they will figure themselves out on offense, but defensively I am definitely concerned. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving must continue to work hard on the defensive end of the court if the Cavaliers want to be a title contender this year. They also still need a rim protector.

Coaching (B)

David Blatt NBA Cavs
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Coaching (B)

David Blatt NBA Cavs
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Personally, I think people need to lay off David Blatt a little bit. The Cavaliers are beginning to understand his very intricate offense now, and I expect them to become an absolute juggernaut in this category soon enough. With that said, I am not sure how much emphasis Blatt places on the defensive end of the floor, where the Cavaliers need drastic improvement. He is a work-in-progress, just like his team.

New Additions (B+)

Cleveland Cavaliers New Additions
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New Additions (B+)

Cleveland Cavaliers New Additions
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It is hard to give the Cavaliers any less than this because of the addition of Kevin Love, who so far has been solid for the team. I still have questions if Shawn Marion and Mike Miller can contribute anything substantial this season however. The Cavaliers bench situation is also a huge question mark as of right now, but because they acquired one of the best power forwards in the game in Love, I think a B+ is fair.

Overall (B)

Cavs overall
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Overall (B)

Cavs overall
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I was tempted to award them with a "B+," but I think a "B" is fine for now given their rocky start. They are currently on a three-game win streak and look more comfortable with each other. Right now, they are 8-7, which is the same record the Miami Heat had in their first year with their "Big Three" of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Fret not Cavaliers fans, this month may have been a little rough, but it will get better.

Dan Schultz is an NBA sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.

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