LeBron calls out Cavs' lack of toughness after loss to Nuggets

Playing in the altitude of Denver isn't easy, but LeBron James was in no mood for excuses after the Cleveland Cavaliers' 126-113 loss to the Nuggets Wednesday.

Toughness, in particular, is something he said the Cavs are lacking.

"It ain't about a group. It's about individuals," James said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "We've got to be more, just do more. It ain't about no group. You can't preach toughness. You've got to have it."

Denver racked up 70 points in the paint Wednesday and out-rebounded Cleveland 44-38. James himself was held to 18 points.

"Personally? I had opportunities where I could have been better," James said. "One thing about it: I always bring toughness to the game. I know that. That's for sure."

The loss didn't help the Cavs' defensive rating, which is now bottom-10 in the league. Since the All-Star break, it's the second-worst. Cleveland ranks 26th in both 3-point defense and points allowed in the paint.

While many expect the Cavs to simply flip the switch come playoff time and lock down defensively, no team outside of the top-10 in defensive rating has won an NBA title since the 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers.