Cleveland Cavaliers is still in some way the best secret in the NBA, and they have clearly hidden throughout the season.
Cavs has the best record in the NBA at 56-10. They have been the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference throughout the season. They are at the quietest 16-match victory in NBA history and top their 15-match victory from earlier this season.
On Friday night, Cleveland Memphis Grizzlies decimated, which is No. 2 seeds in the Western conference. Cavs was without Donovan Mitchell (groin) again, but it did not stop them from release Evan Moby, who is currently in line to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
This team is all that matches the NBA. They play ethical basketball, unlike the foul-grazing headaches around the league. They worked out well, with 2019 first round Pick Darius Garland who made it back to the NBA All-Star Game and Mobley, their first rounder, which made their first All-Star look.
A smart, calculated trade for Jarrett Allen as a third team in the James Harden affair helped Cav’s acquisition of a Bona Fide All-Star Center and a double-double machine. Their trading for Mitchell has only accelerated their timeline and helped Cleveland to make the NBA finals in Mitchell’s first two full seasons with the team.
At the deadline, Cavs made a relatively small trade with Atlanta Hawks for De’andre Hunter, which is 13-0 in a Cleveland uniform. One knock on these caves was their depth at the wing, and the addition of Hunter has worked seamlessly. They also added Javonte Green on the Buyout market.
CAVS presses all the correct buttons. Last season, things looked bleak when they had to fire JB Bickerstaff after a disappointing playoffs in the hands of Boston Celtics.
These Celtics won the NBA championship, and they are still in Cleveland’s way. With a massive pillow for first place, the east will run through Cleveland this year. Cavs will be tested by Boston’s seemingly unstoppable trio: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs gave Celtic’s role players such as Al Horford and Payton Pritchard gave Cleveland passings.
But this Cavs team is much deeper than last season. The addition of Hunter really seems to be the missing piece, and for Jerome has been the perfect backup guard for Garland and Mitchell. The new head coach Kenny Atkinson has pressed the right buttons throughout the season and because of so many blowouts, Cavs has been able to get their star players lots of rest.
Nationally, Cavs still does not get much love. While Stephen A. Smith and Charles Barkley seem to be purchased, the national media would much rather see Celtics come out from the east to take on Los Angeles Lakers or Oklahoma City Thunder.
But excludes a large hiccup, the playoffs will be in a few weeks, do not be surprised if Cavs goes all the way. They have already hidden themselves all season.
