Editor’s note: Each Friday, Jason Lloyd, T.J. Zuppe, Zac Jackson and others will offer a look inside their beats with extra items or news and tidbits.

CHICAGO — For all of the problems facing the Cavs’ defense — and there have been plenty — there is an internal belief they have, at least, identified the problems and can make the appropriate changes before the start of the postseason.

Mike Longabardi, the assistant coach in charge of the defense who has worked with Tyronn Lue since their days together with the Celtics, asked the Cavs’ analytics staff to examine the defense removing two metrics: transition points and second-chance points stemming from offensive rebounds. The result? The Cavs ranked 11th in the NBA in defense.

Now numbers can be twisted and manipulated enough to make any pig look good in lipstick, but the coaches examined the data and determined the pick-and-roll defense hasn’t been the issue. Given the reputations of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love as pick-and-roll defenders, that seems surprising.

“Me, too. I’m very surprised,” Lue joked to The Athletic this week, followed by a bellowing laugh.

Entering Thursday’s game at Chicago, the Cavs had surrendered 1,420 points in transition this season, which ranks 27th in the NBA. They’re allowing 1.2 points per transition possession, which is dead last in the league.

Transition sounds like an effort issue, but Lue insists it’s not about effort. (Although the Cavs rank poorly in hustle stats such as loose balls — they recover 5.9 per game, which is tied with the Jazz for 28th.)

Love often crashes from the corner for offensive rebounds, Lue said. If Love is crashing and Irving or LeBron James are driving to the basket, immediately the Cavs are at a disadvantage numbers-wise because two or more of their players are along the baseline.

“(Love) gives effort going to the glass,” Lue said. “But if he don’t get it and they outlet, they’re gone (on a fast break). It’s just having the right floor balance.”

What does this have to do with the postseason? Coaches across the league believe the pace slows in the playoffs and teams don’t run as much. That was certainly true of the Cavs and Warriors last season. The Cavs averaged 95.5 possessions during the regular season, but 93 during the playoffs; the Warriors averaged 101.7 during the regular season and 99.8 during the playoffs.

Less running plays to the advantage of the Cavs, an older team that has proved it doesn’t handle running teams well. Along with getting back on defense, Lue is stressing ball security. Turnovers that lead to easy baskets the other way, particularly turnovers above the 3-point line, have been a huge problem this season.

As for rebounding, Lue believes the Cavs hold their own with the starters. It’s when he goes to a smaller second unit that problems ensue. That won’t change in the postseason unless Lue shuffles his rotation, which always remains a possibility depending on matchups. The Cavs were crushed on the glass again Thursday, leading to 21 second-chance points from 15 offensive rebounds by the Bulls.

Lue gets more involved on the defensive end in the playoffs and proved last season he excels when given extended time to key on one opponent. James is also the wild card because of his ability to guard any position at a high level, and the lack of back-to-backs is pivotal as well.

Lue does all the scouting reports for potential postseason opponents himself, but finding the time to do it all can be tricky. Sometimes it means watching film and jotting notes while lying in bed at night. He has already finished the scouts for the Heat and the Wizards. His Boston scout is nearly complete, too. Asked what wrinkles he has lined up for the playoffs to fix such a porous defensive unit, Lue offers a wink while flashing his trademark smile.

“You’ll see,” he said. “You’ll see.”

BROWNS / ZAC JACKSON

All signs point to the Browns using the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft on Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett is 6-foot-4 and a chiseled 272 pounds. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, he more or less leaped tall buildings in a single bound and showed he might be able to move them, too. He did 33 reps on the 225-pound bench press, and for a guy whose arms measured 35.25 inches, those numbers are otherworldly.

Myles Garrett is the consensus No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)

The NFL scouting community has had Garrett pegged as a blue-chip prospect since he became a star in the SEC as a true freshman. His production dropped off last season — he got 4.5 of his 8.5 sacks in one game vs. Texas-San Antonio — as Garrett dealt with injuries and double (or even sometimes triple) teams from opposing offenses. He had 22.5 sacks over his first two seasons.

So, there are questions — as there would be with any player not only making the jump to the game’s highest level, but also one preparing to shoulder the burden of being the No. 1 overall pick and trying to become the star past Browns picks have not.

On the pro day circuit the past several weeks, I tried to catch up with as many personnel executives and NFL coaches as possible for insight on this year’s draft prospects. During one conversation with a longtime assistant coach, I didn’t even have to ask about Garrett. He obviously couldn’t go on the record, but his opinion was quite clear.

“Not even the Browns can f— this one up,” he said.

He’s that good?

“Yes,” he said. “Off the charts.”

The coach later said he believes there are two other “rare” defensive players in this draft but “as a pass-rusher, you see (Garrett) do things guys his size just can’t. He’s got some growing and learning to do, and that’s even scarier. What is he, 21 years old?

“There are a few plays from his college tape I had to rewind about four times and just watch as a fan … he’s unbelievably gifted. Down the road, this guy can be dominant.”

Garrett came into last season in a no-win situation as the presumed top overall pick. It’s on the Browns — not many teams have ever believed they’d have a shot at selecting Garrett — to make sure his injuries from last fall are minor and that the team is comfortable with how he handled the spotlight last season with the NFL looming. But there’s no evidence to suggest the Browns are exploring a Plan B.

At this week’s NFL owners’ meetings, Browns coach Hue Jackson wouldn’t commit to Garrett because coaches just don’t do that at this stage, but he called Garrett “a tremendous player” and said the organization feels it will get “a very good player for our organization” with the top pick.

“It’s very clear in my mind and a lot of our minds what (the injuries were) for him last year,” Jackson said of Garrett. “We’re getting to know him, he’s getting to know us, and we’ll continue along that process.”

INDIANS / T.J. ZUPPE

Jose Ramirez walked through the hallway between the trainer’s room and the clubhouse with a bat in hand. A few media members were gathered outside the entrance of the locker room — that’s typically where we stand to send out photos of the lineup or pass along little nuggets of information we receive — and Ramirez spotted us as he continued along with his normal confident strut.

Jose Ramirez showed off his power last season and is a big part of the Indians future. (Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports)

He smiled and pointed his bat in our direction, saying something in Spanish and puffing out his chest. Ramirez has gotten better at understanding English, but we still rely on the team’s translator, Anna Bolton, when we gather to have a conversation with the young infielder.

No translation was needed this time, though. He was in a good mood and using his playfulness as a way to share what felt like a pleasant morning in Goodyear, Ariz. We would later find out why he had such a giant smile on his face.

***

Last Friday, news broke of an agreement between Ramirez, a 24-year-old infielder, and the Indians on a five-year, $26 million extension that featured two team options. In total, the value of the contract can reach up to $50 million if the final two seasons, 2022 and 2023, are exercised. This week, that signing became official. Ramirez’s strong 2016 campaign was rewarded with the financial stability he had earned. The Indians picked up some additional control on a very important player.

What a difference a year can make.

Spring training 2016 led Ramirez down a path of becoming the team’s utility player. He was a year removed from beginning the season as the starting shortstop, a short-lived experiment that ended with Ramirez being demoted and replaced by Francisco Lindor. Of course, Lindor never looked back. And as for Ramirez, the type of player he would become was uncertain.

The Indians always envisioned he would become an everyday player, but his monumental offensive struggles in 2015 (.219/.291/.340) really put that faith to the test. However, Michael Brantley’s seemingly endless battles with his right shoulder in 2016 opened the door for some additional playing time for Ramirez, beyond just serving as the versatile fill-in guy.

In the end, Brantley’s issues ended up having a pretty big silver lining. Ramirez became one of the club’s most important pieces.

***

The switch-hitter has always carried himself in a confident way, even before his production matched his swagger. Manager Terry Francona has jokingly referred to the way the infielder strolls around the clubhouse as the “George Jefferson walk.” He doesn’t do it to somehow demonstrate he’s better than his teammates or the opposition.

That’s just how the Dominican native expresses himself.

Baseball could benefit from more displayed personality. The World Baseball Classic, while having its obvious downsides, exceeded expectations thanks in large part to the way players from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and other countries demonstrated a genuine passion for the game.

Still, there were occasions Ramirez managed to get under the skin of opposing clubs earlier in his career. His bat flip at the end of the 2015 season sent the Twins into a blind rage capable of tossing any millennial off their lawn. His high toss probably had as much to do with the pressure of a frustrating season as it did the intentional walk before his plate appearance. Just like most young players, everyone has to find how and where they mix.

***

Ramirez seems to have found his place. And with a contract now settled, he can begin to establish his life in the ways he sees fit. Certainly a proud player who takes pride in the way he plays, his production has finally matched his personality.

He’s coming out of his shell a little more every day. His wild hair or yes way, Jose T-shirts are indications of that. It’s all part of the growing-up process.

But one thing the Indians have done a terrific job of under Francona is encouraging players to be themselves. If their teammates can see they are about the most important thing — winning — then they’ll be accepted. Every part of them. It’s one of the first things every newcomer mentions upon joining the organization. It didn’t matter if it was Andrew Miller and Brandon Guyer or Chris Dickerson and Jerry Sands. All spoke to how easy it was to find their place in the locker room.

Having strong personalities like Lindor and Jason Kipnis helps. A short time ago, the best players on their roster, guys like Travis Hafner or Grady Sizemore, shied away from taking on a vocal leadership role. That’s not their fault, it just wasn’t who they were. Now, the Indians’ clubhouse is filled with all sorts of different cultures and people, and the personalities are starting to shine like the mid-’90s clubs. But they all possess one common goal.

Ramirez is now a vital member of that objective. In a short time, he transitioned from struggling prospect t­­o impactive everyday player. But the most encouraging thing? There’s still room to grow — on the field and off.­­