Feb 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) comes off the bench reacting to guard J.R. Smith (5) reverse dunk during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Cleveland Cavaliers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Supporting Cast Has Been Solidified
Before the new year, it was easy to throw doubt in the way of the Cleveland Cavaliers. After all, they didn’t have a definite rim protector, a great bench group and they still had the headache that was Dion Waiters on the team.
That drastically changed, much like their NBA Finals chances, when they decided to significantly upgrade their roster in early January.
The Cavaliers added their rim protector in Timofey Mozgov (which we’ll speak about later), got rid of its headache as they sent Waiters to the Oklahoma City Thunder and gained bench depth in the way of Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Kendrick Perkins (most recently).
Cleveland now is one of the deepest teams in the NBA. It’s paying dividends now and will continue to during their upcoming playoff run.
Their additions to their bench will help as they spring through the Eastern Conference, while their added girth on the frontline will show its worth in the NBA Finals in potential matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs or Golden State Warriors.
This team essentially made their biggest weakness a strength.
Next: A rim protector you say?