Forgetting about the fact that Cleveland lost to the Sacramento Kings of all teams by 44 last night (worst lost this season by any NBA team), the Wine & Gold certainly have an exciting and bright future ahead. Winning 2 out of the last 3 games, they play an easier schedule at the Lakers, at Portland (who they lost to on a buzzer beater), and at Denver the next 3 games. Sure, their record is terrible (13-24 currently), most games they’ve only lost by a margin less than 5 points, and a lot of those games were in OT as well.
The problem for these young Cavs is defense (the irony of Mike Brown being a defensive coach) and assists. Cavs have the 21st ranked defense in the NBA, and whenever they allow under 100 points or less, they win the game. They have a hard time winning when they give up over 100 points per game. Also, whenever the Cavs have 20 assists or more they have been victorious this season, and vice-versa when they have under 20 assists. If they keep that in mind (less than 110 points against per game and over 20 assists per game) they’ll be just fine this year, especially in the Eastern Conference.
Looking into the distant future, it is also magnificent for the Cavs. With 5 picks in the next 2 years, and a great young core with Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, and Tristan Thompson, the sky’s the limit for Cleveland. In addition, Luol Deng fills a tremendous void the Cavs have been trying to fill in the 3.5 years since LeBron’s departure. Even if LeBron doesn’t return to Cleveland, Luol Deng at age 28 is in his prime, coming off an All-Star year with Chicago, too, so that will be a great help to them. Luol plays great fundamental offense and smooth defense, something the Cavs surely need. In addition,
Kyrie is coming off a monster December (24.1 ppg, 6.2 apg), and Dion Waiters has seemed to fit his role comfortably as the 6th man off the bench. Tyler Zeller is filling into his body and becoming more aggressive, filling the void with the Bynum departure. Jarrett Jack supplies strong leadership at the backup PG position. CJ “3J” Miles has also been amazing in January, averaging 19.8 ppg and shooting lights out from 3-point range (58.3% thus far). Anderson Varejao has been more active in recent times, and plays very fundamental basketball (9.8 ppg, 14.2 rpg in January). Tristan Thompson is a beast around the hoop, and his post game is dominant, even as a 6’9″ PF (12.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg). Undrafted rookie Matthew Dellavedova (St. Mary’s) has also been a surge of intensity, hustle, and inspiration for these young Cavs, getting in tie-ups with big guys such as David West and Roy Hibbert. Stats don’t measure what he brings to the court, and he is a great fit in the Cavs 4 guard system with himself, Kyrie, Jack, and Dion.
Again, the Cavs have a pitiful record and sometimes play like a JV high school team, but there are optimistic signs of life being shown. The effort is there every night, and they USUALLY only lose games by less than 5 points. The future is bright for them, and with rumors of Kevin Love joining in the next few years AND LeBron possible returning someday, Cleveland will always be excited for the next season. But be excited this season; they still have a great shot to make a run for the postseason in the extremely weak Eastern Conference.
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