Jun 27, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt speaks to the media at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Jun 27, 2014; Independence, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt speaks to the media at Cleveland Clinic Courts. REUTERS

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a three-game winning streak after a much maligned start to the season. The new Big Three of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have been the subject of media attention given that the team has been experiencing growing pains especially on the defensive end. With no proven shot blocker in the middle and the downtrodden defensive reputation of Love and Irving, the early season struggles of the team has been magnified on the other end. The past three games appear to shed some ray of hope to the team, as the Cavaliers are not only winning through explosive offence but has pairing the shooting excellence with improving team defence.

Coach David Blatt came forward and offered some words of encouragement to his players and specifically mentioning out his all-star power forward Love. The former European coach told ESPN that Love has been "playing the best defence of his career so far," and the team has been benefiting from the former Minnesota Timberwolves' better grasping of the team defence concepts. He has indicated that his starting forward is beginning to understand the schemes and the system, which is translating well onto the court. Love for his part affirms his coach's view.

"I've never really been known for that in my career," Love said candidly on his defensive abilities. "Being a lockdown defender is something that I know I'll never be, but as far as being a team defender, being in the right spots, being physical, doing those things, I can get a lot better at that and just continue to break down film and see where I can get better out there."

The Cavaliers are riding on the winning streak, which saw them limit their last three opponents to just 86 points on a 40 percent field goal shooting. Love is not the only star getting the accolades on the defensive end as Irving has also consistently shown an effort to challenge opposing guards during the three-game win streak. Irving limited Washington Wizards John Wall below 10 points and again dominated the duo of Indiana Pacers point guards Donald Sloan and C.J. Watson in their latest win over the Pacers, 109-97. Cleveland now sports a 8-7 record, good for 6th place in Eastern Conference.