CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers are struggling, and then some. LeBron James believes he’s a major reason for their early failures.
“We got a four-game losing streak, so I stink,” he said. “I’m not doing my job.”
With the Cavs at 5-7, playing uninspired and not close to living up to enormous expectations, James offered the blunt critique of his own game Monday at the team’s shootaround as they prepared to host the Orlando Magic.
After a day spent with family and watching football, James, who called the Cavs “fragile” following Saturday night’s loss to the Toronto Raptors, said he has to do a better job leading the way. He’s staying positive, cognizant that if he isn’t upbeat, his teammates will follow his example.
“Me being the leader of the team, if I start hanging my head low, then it’s going to start going to everyone else,” he said. “They look up to me. They look to me to make a difference, and I’ve got to stay positive even through the rough times. As I’ve said before, this is not the darkest point that we’ll see this year. I’ve seen dark, and this is very light to me.”
Cleveland, picked by many to win the NBA title in James’ homecoming season, went 0-4 last week. James wasn’t himself, averaging just 18 points per game, committing a turnover in the closing seconds of a loss to the San Antonio Spurs and inexplicably not hustling back on defense in a loss to the Washington Wizards. He has made uncharacteristically foolish passes and shown frustration with his body language.
On Monday, James said the Cavs’ tough times could linger.
“This is not the biggest adversity point that we’ll hit,” he said. “Do I think we’re going to get to the Finals? I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds, but from my perspective, it’s not as bad as it may seem.”
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
