Although the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently on a four-game losing streak, the outlook is bright for them.
They may have the best backcourt in the NBA, and their frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is a force in terms of shot-blocking, with the ability to become much better all around.
The Cavs have an 8-5 record, and a few things, both good and bad, are already evident.
1. Donovan Mitchell Is The Team’s New Superstar, And He’s A Special One
Some around the league have mildly criticized Donovan Mitchell for not being a true superstar, but even if he isn’t, he is a big-game player.
Before Cleveland traded for him, it looked like a team that could make the playoffs and perhaps get past the first round, but Mitchell has transformed it into a borderline contender all by himself.
He’s averaging 31.6 points a game while shooting 51.3 percent overall and 43.4 percent from 3-point range, and he exploded for 41 points in a big win over the Boston Celtics on October 28.
🕷 Donovan Mitchell dropped 41 Points & this nasty dunk in the comeback win vs the Celtics! pic.twitter.com/0WTd2BUXo8
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 29, 2022
Mitchell is clearly the Cavs’ best player since LeBron James.
2. The Cavs Don’t Have A Definite Starter At The Wing
Who will be the “fifth Beatle” for the Cavs?
It’s generally been Caris LeVert, who has started 13 games and has shot well from the outside by making 42.4 percent of his 3-point attempts while averaging 5.3 assists per game.
Isaac Okoro has gotten three starts this season, but he has played very poorly overall.
The Cavs need a reliable 3 who is a good 3-point shooter and an effective individual defender to get them to the next level.
3. The Bench Is Weak
Other than Kevin Love, who is playing well once again, Cleveland has a profound lack of offensive pop off the bench.
It ranks 25th in bench points per game at just 30.2 a game, and another player who can light it up as a reserve would go a long way in helping it become a true contender.
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