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LeBron off to worst start since rookie year after Cavs lose to Knicks

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Last season taught us that a team led by LeBron James can always turn on the switch, but this year's Cleveland Cavaliers are something else.

Cleveland dropped to 3-4 on the year after losing 114-95 at home to the New York Knicks on Sunday. That marks the worst start by a James-led team since the Cavaliers started off 0-5 in his rookie year.

Their four losses have come against the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and now the Knicks. Their lone win since last Saturday is a precarious seven-point victory over the Chicago Bulls.

James wasn't his normal self Sunday. He scored just 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting and lacked his typical aggression in attacking the basket. He also coughed up four turnovers and was a minus-17 in 39 minutes.

But it's hard to blame James for Cleveland's issues when he's been their only positive contributor on both ends of the floor thus far.

The bigger issue with the Cavaliers is that they're old, and their aging veterans - perhaps expecting to waltz into The Finals - look disinterested. Whatever the cause, they're lacking in areas like defense (27th ranked) and transition opportunities allowed (25th).

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