The ones we didn’t expect so high: Cavaliers
To be ranked fifth in a conference where you have to battle teams like the Brooklyn Nets, the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks, and look over your shoulder at teams like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, would seem impossible for a franchise that has been rebuilding for a couple of seasons. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers can stare down anyone who doubts it.
The last time the Cleveland franchise was in Playoff spots was in the 2017-18 season, when they tied up their Division by taking fourth place thanks to a 50-32 (.610) record and still having LeBron James in their ranks.
At the end of that campaign, the ‘King’ decided to move to Los Angeles and the Cleveland debacle occurred.
By the following season, the team sank to second-to-last place in the East by posting a pitiful 19-63 (.232) and, even worse, was the following season, when the team ranked last in the East by finishing with a 19-46 (.292) record.
There were some moves, changes in the bench and roster, but things did not improve and in 2020-21 the team was far from the playoffs, being second to last with a record of 22-50 (.306), something inconceivable for a franchise that for several years was the antagonist par excellence in the Finals of the Golden State Warriors.
But revenge comes early in the NBA and the Cavs made the right moves in the Draft and free agency and can now be considered one of the surprises of the season. Their 27-19 (.587) confirms it.
Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Collin Sexton, an underrated Big Three
Much is said about the ‘Big Three’ of franchises such as the Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Bucks, Phoenix Suns; however, the low profile of the Cavs’ three pillars may be the key to their recent and, for many, unexpected success.
Garland, Allen and Sexton form one of the most complete trios in the Association.
The Garland point guard, son of former NBA player Winston Garland, is putting up 19.8 points per night along with 8.0 assists and has become one of the Association’s revelations with a promising future.
Garrett Allen, “underrated” by the Nets, is proving that efficiency and popularity are served on different plates. The retro-haired center is a guarantee in the paint: 10.9 rebounds per game place him as one of those rare ‘objects of desire’ for any coach.
Finally we have third-year point guard Collin Sexton, with an All-Rookie in his career, the PG, who last January 4 celebrated 24 laps in the sun, has emerged as one of the favorite players of the Ohio fans. His dynamic play makes the Cavs a spectacular quintet when he’s on the court and when you add to that his averages of 16.0 points, 3.3 boards and 2.1 assists per night, Cleveland can take comfort in the encouraging outlook ahead.
EXPERIENCED DEPTH
It has served these young Cavs well to have a backup on the second unit with All-Star caliber elements like Kevin Love and most recently Rajon Rondo, who was traded due to Ricky Rubio’s season-long layoff. Cedi Osman, Lauri Markkanen and Isaac Okoro give coach J.B. Bickerstaff ‘dark horse’ status heading into the Playoffs.
