Cleveland – The Cavs had a respectable season last year. I don’t say it was a good season because they lost in embarrassing fashion in the playoffs to the New York Knicks. But it wasn’t a bad season either as they ended up with the 4th best record in the East and earned home court in the first round of the playoffs. But what can they do for this next season that can get them into the next step?
Expectations
The Cavs no longer are a team with playoff “aspirations.” The playoffs are expected. They are a team heading into the 2023-2024 season coming off a 52-win season. They now have playoff experience, albeit it a bad experience. The Cavs aren’t sneaking up on anyone. This year, the Cavs will be expected to take another step forward. Last year, the East was seen as a three-team race. Milwaukee, Boston, and Philly were the three teams assumed to be the cream of the crop. When looking at the rest of the East, the Cavs ended up as the top of the second tier. This year, they need to challenge themselves and be looked at as contenders. The leap isn’t as crazy as you might expect.
Young Core
The Cavs have a core that is among the best in the NBA. Donavan Mitchell, who they acquired in a blockbuster trade last year, is returning for his second year.
He made the All- NBA First Team last year and gave the Cavs a true “go to” player and presence. With averages of 28/4/4, Mitchell proved he can go off on huge scoring runs, but also knowing when to take a step back and let someone else take over.
That someone could be Darius Garland. By all accounts, Garland was fine last year. With averages of 22/3/8, you could make a case he was one of the better point guards in the league last season. And he was, BUT… I think Garland can grow even more. His 32-point performance in Cleveland’s lone win against the Knicks, is evidence of what he can be. The 23-year-old is still growing and learning the game. But when he is at his best, Garland can be one of the best point guards in the NBA. He has all the tools. With one of the top backcourts in the league, the Cavs have two dynamic guards who can compete with anyone on a night in and night out basis.
And then there’s the big fella. Evan Mobley is special. We know this. Mobley in his second year finished third in DMVP voting and made the All-Defensive First Team in just his second season. He is the second youngest player to accomplish the feat at just 21 years old. The defense is special. It’s the offensive end where the improvement is needed; and even that isn’t terrible. With averages of 16/9/3, the big man from USC is looking to become the go to scorer for the Cavs. The Cavs ceiling is as high as Mobley’s ceiling. If Mobley can become a top 15 player…. The Cavs will be a championship contender. It’s really that simple. That’s how good Mobley is. And since he is only 22 now, there is high optimism that he can do just that.
Reinforcements
There is plenty more for the Cavs in the cupboard as well. Jarrett Allen is an All-Star caliber center who is one of the leagues premiere shot blockers. Caris Levert, who resigned this off season is a proven and capable player whether off the bench or starting. and to help with the Cavs weakness of outside shooting, the Cavs signed two snipers this off season. Max Strus and George Niang. Strus coming off a Finals run with the Heat, fills a shooting need more than likely in the starting lineup while Niang will probably come off the bench. Both shoot the ball extremely well and both will make the defense honor them when on the court.
Isaac Okoro, Ty Jerome, Damien Jones add depth and provide some insurance. There’s projects like Isaiah Mobley, (Evan’s olde brother and winner of the Summer League Championship MVP) and Emoni Bates, the team’s lone pick in the draft. There is plenty to look forward to for this team. Are there questions still? Yes. Absolutely. A major question is how does this team bounce back from being so disappointed by last year’s playoff exit? Will they be able to play with expectations this year? Can Garland, and more importantly Mobley become even better? But one thing is certain. The Cavs are no longer one of the worst teams in the NBA. They are now a team expected to make moves and improvements. We shall see!
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