Cleveland is a big “dark-horse” in the Eastern Conference
One thing you did not think you would read at the beginning of the season is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are a legit playoff team. Yep, that is right, the Cavaliers have a chance to be what the New York Knicks were last season and surprise everyone with where they finish the year in the Eastern Conference standings!
They are one of the most fun teams to watch not only because of their unique lineup, which we will touch on shortly, but because they just simply have fun out on the basketball court. The Cavs do not try to do too much and they just play their style at their pace, oftentimes resulting in them benefitting over their opponents on offense or defense.
The Cavaliers are currently 11-10 and in the middle-of-the-pack in the Eastern Conference, but the one thing they have going for them that other teams do not necessarily have is their size. Lauri Markkanen (7’0”), Evan Mobley (7’0”) and Jarrett Allen (6’11”) all start for the Cavaliers, making them one of the lengthiest teams in the league.
While they only rank 19th in the league in rebounding, Cleveland ranks 5th in the league in defensive rating and 2nd in opponent’s points per game. This team’s identity was on the defensive-end of the floor and last season, we all saw how the Knicks’ defense carried them to the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference.
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Now, I am not saying that the Cavaliers are going to finish with the 4th best record in the Eastern Conference, but we should definitely keep an eye on them in regards to being a “dark-horse” team that could go on a run near the end of the year.
They are still a very young team with an average age of around 25-years-old, but they really do have a great balance between their first and second-units. Darius Garland is starting to come into his own in this backcourt and with Mobley and Allen only going to get better as the season goes on in the Cavaliers’ frontcourt, there is a lot to like about this team for what feels like the first-time since LeBron James returned to Cleveland in 2014!
Collin Sexton being out for the year with a meniscus injury is definitely a big blow to this team and their backcourt, but if we do not count him, the Cavaliers still have 7 other players averaging double-digit scoring for the year.
They spread the ball, they play through their big guys and do not try to do too much, which makes them a dangerous team to play. Veteran guard Ricky Rubio has stepped up big-time for this team in the absence of Sexton and we should not overlook the fact that GM Koby Altman may not be done constructing this team.
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They are tight on cap space, but the Cavaliers have two smaller trade exceptions they could use at the trade deadline this year, as well as some moveable contracts to add another key talent or two for their bench unit.
If you have not watched the Cavaliers at all this season, make sure you try and catch one of their games because you will not be disappointed! Keep an eye on this team as the season goes on because they could turn it on and make a run at any time if they continue to play at a high-level on defense.
