Cavs News: Tyronn Lue Makes Yet Another Change to Starting Lineup

Published by

Brad Sullivan

9 years ago

Early-season struggles over the last three games have resulted in the Cleveland Cavaliers tweaking their starting lineup yet again as they enter this weekend with a 3-2 mark and facing back-to-back contests.

One of the chief takeaways will be that Jae Crowder coming off the bench after being a starter during the first five games. In addition, LeBron James will be returning to his traditional position at forward after having been moved to point guard.

In Saturday’s road clash against the New Orleans Pelicans, Derrick Rose will return to the starting lineup at point guard after sitting the last three games because of an ankle injury suffered in the Oct. 20 road game against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the team’s three games since that injury, they’ve dropped two contests, the most recent coming in a Wednesday night loss on the road against the Brooklyn Nets.

Crowder’s statistical numbers in the Cavs’ first five games are similar to his career averages, though his rebounds have dipped from 3.8 per game to just 2.8 this season. Meanwhile, J.R. Smith has struggled with his shooting thus far, connecting on just 10-of-41 (24.4 percent) from the field and 3-of-25 (12.0 percent) from long-range.

Brad Sullivan

Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.