The Cleveland Cavaliers had the most efficient offense in the NBA this season.
They also had a top-10 defense for most of the year.
What they didn’t seem to have, however, were the legs to keep up with the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers paid homage to their franchise name by pushing the tempo on every possession, and the Cavs, like many other teams, couldn’t withstand that for a whole playoff series.
That’s why Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com said Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff will emphasize building stamina and getting the players in top shape during training camp.
“The Cavs’ plan to stress more physical conditioning. Indiana has reached the NBA Finals by running most teams off the court,” Pluto wrote. “During the regular season, Indiana brought the ball past the halfcourt line faster than any other team. They also threw more passes per possession than any team. They pressed the Cavs’ point guards (and those of other teams) full court. The Cavs have to raise stamina. That is one of the main goals in training camp for coach Kenny Atkinson.”
The Cavaliers have everything they need to be one of the best teams in the league.
However, to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Pacers were the best team in the Eastern Conference this season.
Chances are that the Cavs could have defeated every other team and the Pacers were just a terrible matchup.
Then again, that’s not going to change next season.
With Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum likely out for the year, and the New York Knicks playing for a new head coach, chances are that the road to the Eastern Conference title will run through Indianapolis again.
If the Cavs can’t or won’t blow up the roster and make some big-time moves this offseason, they might as well look to maximize their current core, and that will require the players to get in the best shape of their careers.
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