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‘LeBron (James) Will Make You a Worst Defensive Team’ -- NBA Analyst Weighs In on Superstar’s Fit With the Cavaliers
LeBron James is taking his time deciding his next destination while teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat vie for his services.
While teams are almost evenly matched in James’ sweepstakes, veteran NBA analyst Colin Cowherd thinks James would not be a good fit for the Cavaliers.
Colin Cowherd Reveals Why LeBron James Should Avoid Returning to the Cavaliers
A reunion between James and the Cavaliers would provide a storybook ending to his iconic NBA career.
Cleveland selected James with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, and he spent his first seven seasons with the franchise before returning in 2014. In that second stint, he led the Cavs to their first-ever NBA championship in 2016.
While a third stint in Cleveland would definitely excite fans, Cowherd believes it could come with a huge downside.
“LeBron James will make you a worst defensive team,” Cowherd said in “The Herd” podcast recently. “The slowest player in the NBA last year was James Harden. He’s a Cav.”
“The second slowest player? LeBron James. If he goes to Cleveland, they’ll be a worse team in terms defensively and they weren’t very good last year, even with rim protection.”
James is still productive at 41, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games last season. At this stage of his career, he often conserves energy, relying more on positioning and basketball IQ while saving his body for the crucial postseason matchups.
However, Cowherd argued that Cleveland’s biggest postseason weakness has been its defense, not its offense.
With stars like Harden and Donovan Mitchell already providing firepower, he questioned whether adding another aging player would solve the team’s issues.
“Will LeBron make you better in close games? Yes, Cleveland was lousy in close games, but against the Knicks, the average margin of victory was 20 points,” Cowherd said. “The Knicks would blow you out with LeBron.”
“You’re gonna be slower. You’re gonna be worse defensively. Harden doesn’t defend. Donovan Mitchell’s mediocre. LeBron doesn’t care anymore about that side. You have decent rim protection, but LeBron will absolutely make you slower. Slow is not winning in the NBA. Youth, speed, athleticism is.”
However, James had a defensive rating of 115.7, and the Lakers had a defensive rating of 117.1 without the four-time champion on the court last season,per Statmuse.
Los Angeles defended slightly better with him on the court, recording a 116.4 defensive rating, so Cowherd’s take is up for debate.
SEE ALSO:‘It Would Be the Fit’ — Timberwolves HC Chris Finch Sends Recruiting Pitch to LeBron James Amid Free Agency
As for James’ fit for the Cavaliers, Cowherd’s concerns have merit, particularly regarding Cleveland’s defensive shortcomings. However, evaluating the superstar solely through that lens overlooks what he continues to offer.
Even at 41, he remains one of the league’s smartest players, capable of producing at a high level while bringing incredible leadership, playoff experience, and the championship pedigree of a four-time champion, all of which could prove invaluable for a Cavaliers team looking to overcome its postseason struggles.
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