Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson is ‘very concerned’ about this trend

The NBA is playing faster than ever, and right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers are being left behind. Kenny Atkinson isn’t happy with how his team has been defending in transition this season.

“Very concerned,” Atkinson said when asked about the Cavaliers’ transition defense. “It’s a high-paced league, and part of stopping that is getting back on defense.”

The Cavs have had trouble keeping up with the faster-paced teams this season. Chicago, Atlanta and Toronto, in particular, have given them problems. In their recent loss to the Hawks, the Cavs allowed 36 fast-break points. That’s a backbreaker.

Since November 10th, the Cavs are 23rd in points allowed in transition per 100 possessions, 19th in opponent transition frequency and 25th in opponent points per transition play according to Cleaning the Glass. Transition opportunities are the most efficient offense you can find in the NBA. So, there’s no way around it, Cleveland has to do a better job of getting back on defense.

It’s not just turnovers or long rebounds leading to run-outs, either. The Cavs have been beaten off of their own made baskets — something that will drive any coach crazy.

“We had multiple clips of getting them out sprinting us, and that bothers you as a coach,” Atkinson said after Cleveland’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks. “We’ve got to improve because I don’t think it’s slowing down, this league, it’s not going back the other way.”

This is a copycat league, and every team is figuring out that Cleveland is vulnerable in transition. Finding a way to slow down their opponents and force the game back into the halfcourt should be the Cavaliers’ goal. They’re a far better half-court defense than a transition team. That’s where having the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, can help the most.

Let’s hope the Cavs can solve this issue. It would help all of us, including Kenny Atkinson, get some better sleep.