The Cleveland Cavaliers are nonetheless someway the very best secret within the NBA, they usually have been hiding in plain sight all season lengthy.
The Cavs have the very best document within the NBA at 56-10. They’ve been the No. 1 seed within the Jap Convention all season. They’re on the quietest 16-game win streak in NBA historical past, topping their 15-game win streak from earlier this season.
On Friday night time, Cleveland decimated the Memphis Grizzlies, who’re the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention. The Cavs had been with out Donovan Mitchell (groin) once more, however that didn’t cease them from unleashing Evan Mobley, who’s at the moment in line to win the NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr award.
This workforce is the whole lot that’s proper with the NBA. They play moral basketball, not like the foul-baiting complications across the league. They drafted nicely, with 2019 first-round decide Darius Garland making it again to the NBA All-Star Sport and Mobley, their 2021 first-rounder, making his first All-Star look.
A wise, calculated commerce for Jarrett Allen as a 3rd workforce within the James Harden deal helped the Cavs purchase a bona fide All-Star heart and a double-double machine. Their go-for-it commerce for Mitchell has solely accelerated their timeline, serving to Cleveland make the NBA playoffs in Mitchell’s first two full seasons with the workforce.
On the deadline, the Cavs made a comparatively small commerce with the Atlanta Hawks for De’Andre Hunter, who’s 13-0 in a Cleveland uniform. The one knock on these Cavs was their depth on the wing, and the addition of Hunter has labored seamlessly. In addition they added Javonte Inexperienced within the buyout market.
The Cavs are urgent all the fitting buttons. Final season, issues regarded bleak after they needed to fireplace J.B. Bickerstaff after a disappointing playoff exit by the hands of the Boston Celtics.
These Celtics went on to win the NBA championship, and they nonetheless stand in Cleveland’s means. With a large cushion for first place, the East will run by way of Cleveland this 12 months. The Cavs might be examined by Boston’s seemingly unstoppable trio: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. The final time these two groups met within the playoffs, Celtics position gamers like Al Horford and Payton Pritchard gave Cleveland matches.
However this Cavs workforce is far deeper than final season. The addition of Hunter definitely looks as if the lacking piece, and Ty Jerome has been the right backup guard for Garland and Mitchell. New head coach Kenny Atkinson has pressed the fitting buttons all season lengthy and, on account of so many blowouts, the Cavs have been capable of get their star gamers loads of relaxation.
Nationally, the Cavs nonetheless aren’t getting a lot love. Whereas Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley appear purchased in, the nationwide media would a lot somewhat see the Celtics come out of the East to tackle the Los Angeles Lakers or Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
However barring a significant hiccup come playoff time in a number of weeks, don’t be stunned if the Cavs go all the way in which. They’ve already been hiding in plain sight all season lengthy.
