INDEPENDENCE, Ohio _ It's not a case of the Cavaliers getting fat and happy after their third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals in June.
It's more about getting back in transition.
But coach Tyronn Lue believes the Cavs' lack of conditioning is a major part of an underwhelming 3-4 start and addressed it in a long meeting before practice Tuesday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Slow pace of play and poor transition defense have been problems as the Cavs have lost four of their past five going into Wednesday's home game against the Indiana Pacers.
So Lue delayed practice to get the point across.
Asked if offense or defense was the focus, he said, "Focused more on getting in better shape. I see after today's practice, watching us today, damn, it's a big difference. I'm screaming 'Play with pace, and move the ball, move bodies.' We've got to get in better shape to do that."
Lue wouldn't elaborate on other subjects addressed, but he said everybody talked.
Kevin Love said the discussion was more about pace of play, one of Lue's points of emphasis.
"We've had moments in previous seasons where we've had this conversation," Love said. "I feel like where just our rate of play, our pace of play is more so what I'm talking about. Maybe 'out of shape' is the wrong word.
"It's just getting into our sets, secondary offense and miss or make, getting the ball out and pushing it. I think that's more than anything what I'm trying to say."
Love agreed with Lue that the team responded with a "great" practice.
"The slow start we've had prompted us to just all get on the same page and kind of figure out what we need to do," Love said. "I feel like we can get in better shape, that's going to help us on the defensive end. Communication, energy and just getting the new guys to [become] well-adjusted on the floor, more time together. Time will tell how it's going to play out, but we have a lot of really good positive energy from today."
Lue is trying to integrate new players Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, Jeff Green and Derrick Rose into the Cavs' core group, the first three with the second unit, and thus far neither the first or second unit has jelled.
"I'm not saying that guys are taking plays off, but just [not] going super hard," Love said. "We have the luxury of being able to put guys in different spots and a really deep roster where we don't have to necessarily log 30-plus minutes, even the starters. So just go hard, if you're tired, ask for a sub."
Four-time league Most Valuable Player LeBron James was not exempt from the conditioning discussion, especially after he suffered one of the most serious ankle sprains of his career in training camp. James has averaged 24.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.6 assists and four turnovers in 37 minutes through seven games.
"Missing the whole training camp and getting hurt the second day of practice really set him back as far as being able to fly around and push the pace offensively and defensively," Lue said of James. "He's trying to work himself back in shape, but the games are coming so fast and it's hard to really do that. The best way to do that is by him playing more minutes and getting in game shape."
Judging from Love's comments, the meeting wasn't heated.
"It's early in the season to do it. But it wasn't one of those meetings where it was so 'over the top' so to speak," Love said. "It was just figuring out exactly what we need to do. We watched certain segments on film of the game. We broke down film a little bit differently and came out here and got some good work in."
Lue said he didn't expect these struggles, especially after impressive victories over the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks to start the season.
"I didn't expect it to be like this right now, especially after our first two games of holding opponents under 100 points and playing good defensively," Lue said. "Offensively, we're not playing as well as we should and as we can, so when you're missing shots, you've got to get back in transition every single time. You're not making shots, that puts pressure on your transition defense. We've got to do a better job offensively as well."
It may have helped that the meeting came after James' annual Halloween party Monday night. Love said the costume event helped take away the burden of the Cavs not living up to expectations.
"I think it definitely lightened the mood and it was definitely a get-to-know-you moment with a lot of guys," Love said of the party. "Guys really brought it and it was fun and for team camaraderie purposes, we all get along, have fun.
"I think in some odd way it will definitely help us."
Love agreed that it was easier to have Tuesday's talk after the party.
"Oh, sure. I think it only helps," he said.
