Despite Loss, Cavs Can Look to Warriors as a Team to Replicate

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers began their five-game West Coast swing with a loss to the Golden State Warriors, falling 112-94.

For a team looking for an identity, the Cavaliers were certainly shown what it was like to play as a team from their opponent tonight. The Warriors assisted on 81.4 percent of their field goals, including three players with at least five assists. They also had seven guys score at least eight points, while also getting 30 points from their bench. The 29-5 record is also something the Cavaliers would like to have.

The reason the Warriors have the best record in the NBA is due in part to their unselfish play from their best player all the way to their 12th man. The ball was constantly in motion and it felt as if every shot they took was wide open or simply the best shot they could achieve on that possession, near the opposite of what Cleveland's offense looked like. There were signs of solid ball movement, but most of the night had us watching Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith dribble the air out of the basketball.

Of course, the Warriors core has been together for two-plus years (four years of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry) and display unparalleled chemistry, which was on display tonight as well. Everyone knew their role on both ends of the court, combining an impressive use of communication and knowing where their teammates have been.

The Cavaliers on the other hand, have only had their core together for less than thirty games and on top of that, have a new coach. It's hard enough to put guys on a team and expect them to play well off the bat, but it's nearly impossible when one of your core players is hurt, giving you no time to gel.

But, once everyone is healthy, they already got a glimpse of what team they should try and emulate going forward.

Three Things:

1. For at least one night, David Griffin appears to have made the right moves.

Although Iman Shumpert is still battling a shoulder injury and is likely two weeks away from playing, the other two players that the Cavaliers acquired in the last week each looked like the missing pieces that this team needed for the first few months. J.R Smith provided the instant offense, hitting 11-of-23 shots and scoring a game-high 27 points, while Timofey Mozgov provided the interior depth and size, grabbing eight rebounds to go along with nine points, including an offense rebound and put-back lay-up in his first touch as a Cavaliers. What was even more impressive was how well they fit into their roles. Smith had the hot hand, but did take any WTF shots at any point. Mozgov was in the right place at the right time, even having an impressive block on Andrew Bogut (Bogut did get him back on a dunk attempt just a few possessions later. Once they get some time to learn and gel with the rest of the team, there's no reason as to why they couldn't return to being one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

2. There's nothing wrong with losing to the best team in the league, on the road, without being 100 percent.

I'm not one for moral victories, because they can only take take you so far. Winning with negatives will be always be better than losing with positives. But for tonight, there is an exception. With three players out tonight, one of them being LeBron James, the Cavaliers were able to hang in with a Warriors team that has only lost one game at home all season. Add so-so games from both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, and plenty of open missed 3-pointers, there's not too many negatives to take away from this game.

3. Well, I guess the Cavaliers could use a back-up point guard.

OK, there was one negative to take away from this game, the fact that Matthew Dellavedova has not been able to get it done this year. He is no threat on offense (shooting 31 percent from the field this year) and hasn't been the same on defense this year as he was last year. His energy level and hustle are still there, but that's about the only two good things that he has been able to show this year that has been beneficial. I've been a huge Delly defender, but he has been SOO bad this year, there really isn't much to defend at this point. With the recent trades, the Cavaliers will need to rely on waivers and free agents to find a suitable back-up. Outside of Nate Wolters, who the Milwaukee Bucks just waived, there aren't too many other point guards that come to mind to whom they could pick up, but it is something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

Statline of the Game:

Draymond Green: 10 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, 5-of-13 shooting.

I don't think there is a player in the league has a more unique skill set than Green; he can shoot the three, rebound, run the fast break and defend at a very good right. The box score only helps that claim, as he nearly put up a triple-double.

What's Next:

Jan. 11, on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m.