Growing concern around the NBA: Cavs’ stars failing to assert themselves against weaker opponents

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Sometimes the most revealing insights come from outside observers.

Following the Cavs’ embarrassing 99-94 loss to a severely depleted Golden State Warriors team, it was a visiting reporter’s pointed question that perfectly captured the growing concerns about the Cavs’ stars.

On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com reporter Chris Fedor shared a damning moment that occurred in the media room after the game: “‘Hey, Chris, is Evan always that passive? I thought he was second team All-NBA last year. I thought he was an All-Star last year. Is he always that passive?’”

That brutal inquiry cut to the heart of what’s becoming an increasingly worrisome pattern with the Cavs’ young big man.

Against a Warriors team missing its stars and lacking legitimate frontcou