The Cleveland Cavaliers are making waves in the NBA with back-to-back statement wins – taking down the Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder before following up with a victory against the Toronto Raptors.
Their impressive 33-4 record has propelled them to the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and the league is starting to take serious notice.
Playing with pace and selflessness, the Cavs have emerged as the NBA’s highest-scoring team, averaging 122.9 points per game.
While playoff basketball might be months away, this Cleveland squad is showing all the signs of a team built for sustained success.
The Cavaliers haven’t even reached their full potential yet, with several players still working their way back to full health.
Once the roster is complete, head coach Kenny Atkinson plans to implement an 11-man rotation – a strategy that’s sparked some debate among NBA circles.
While some question this approach heading into the playoffs, analyst Sam Amico stands firmly behind keeping the current rotation intact.
“Why would you stop? I think, a big part of their success is not obviously avoiding key injuries, but also being able to overcome their injuries with their style of play,” Amico emphasized.
Do you think an 11-man rotation is viable in the playoffs? #LetEmKnow@ElalcaldeRafa & @AmicoHoops agree: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. pic.twitter.com/cEIFnQ2gt9
— Full Court Cleveland (@FullCourtCLE) January 12, 2025
Traditional playoff wisdom typically favors an eight-man rotation, but Amico sees the value in Cleveland’s deeper bench strategy.
He points to their current success as proof that a 10 or 11-player rotation can work effectively. The approach not only helps prevent injuries but also ensures the team can maintain its competitive edge even when players do miss time.
For Amico, this depth isn’t just a luxury – it’s a crucial element that allows the Cavaliers to sustain their dynamic style of play throughout the grueling NBA season.
The formula seems to be working perfectly for Cleveland so far, suggesting there might be merit to sticking with what’s brought them this far, even as the stakes get higher in the postseason.
NEXT: Kenny Atkinson Gets Honest About Managing Internal Expectations
