LeBron on 5-6 start: 'No one feels sorry for us,' can't explain lack of effort

Things aren't going as planned in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers are 5-6, seventh in the Eastern Conference, and performing well below expectations on both ends of the floor. Working in new players with a new coach and a new scheme under intense scrutiny is a difficult process, but they expected that coming in. As they work through the kinks, there aren't exactly a plethora of shoulders to cry on.

"No one feels sorry for us," LeBron James told reporters following Friday's ugly loss to the Washington Wizards. "It doesn't matter. No one feels sorry for us in this league. It's a winning league and we have to figure out what needs to be done to win."

The team points to effort as a key concern, while those close to the team see underlying communication issues. The latter is normal in such a new situation, but the competitiveness of a team with multiple All-Stars and championship aspirations shouldn't have to be called into question.

"That's something I cannot explain right now," James said of Friday's poor effort. "That's something that we have to have."

Effort could certainly explain their defensive performance, which ranks 24th in the league so far. Defense wasn't expected to be Cleveland's calling card -  they're thin on above-average defenders - but so far they've struggled to learn their base defenses to a somewhat astounding degree.

Opponents are shooting a league-worst 67 percent at the rim against the Cavaliers, which can't be explained by a lack of rim protectors alone. Teams are simply getting looks that are too easy, and Cleveland has allowed an above-average amount of 3-point shots as well. The Cavs have basically invited the most efficient shots on the floor, thanks in large part to scrambled and incoherent pick-and-roll coverages.

The Cavs are said to be in the market for an additional rim protector or wing defender, and general manager David Griffin has said no player is untouchable. But with no changes imminent, Cleveland is left to simply try and play better. 

James has been here before, when the 2010 Miami Heat started 8-9. He'll need to lean on that experience to help bring this young team through their own early struggles.