The Cleveland Cavaliers have exceeded most people’s expectations so far.
There were legitimate doubts about whether this team could thrive as currently constructed.
Some didn’t think Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen could coexist, especially on offense, since the former had failed to take off as a floor-spacer.
Others claimed that Darius Garland would request a trade if they signed Donovan Mitchell to a contract extension.
Fast forward to today, and this team is more than 30 games over .500 after the All-Star break.
That’s why Bleacher Report NBA analyst Zach Buckley had two words to describe their current situation: Fully arrived.
“Cleveland still must prove that this success can carry over into the postseason, where it has been previously tripped up by logistical issues with this roster (undersized in the backcourt, no shooting up front). At this point, though, everything feels sustainable. The Cavaliers are firmly in the championship mix,” Buckley said.
Hiring Kenny Atkinson may have been the boost this team needed.
They kept their strong defensive identity from the J.B. Bickerstaff days, and they took a massive leap forward on the offensive end of the floor.
This team is well-built and deep, and they seem to enjoy one another’s company on and off the floor.
They’re not just beating teams; they’re actually dominating them on both ends of the floor.
They have a 10.7 net rating, which is the second-best in the league.
They also rank in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and that’s usually a recipe for championship-caliber basketball.
Of course, there will always be doubts about small market teams, especially those who have failed to prove themselves on the biggest stage.
Nonetheless, there’s no reason to believe this team can’t make a big splash come playoff time.
More importantly, it looks like they can be sustainably good for years to come.
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