NBA: The 10 Biggest Storylines Heading Into The 2016-17 Season

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O

Can The Cavaliers Repeat?

As much as it sounds weird, the Cavaliers will be beginning a season where they will be defending an NBA Championship. With every conceivable odd stacked against them, it what can only be described as a perfect storybook ending, the Cavaliers managed to win the NBA Championship down 3 games to 1, all thanks to dominant performances by Kyrie Irving and LeBron James.

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LeBron essentially cemented his legacy in these Finals, silencing any doubters about him rising when the moment counted. It started in Game 5, when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving dropped 41 points apiece. Then, in Game 6, LeBron rallied his team to a Game 6 victory with another 41 performance, and in Game 7, the dramatic conclusion to the exciting series, each member of the Big 3 had a huge moment to help seal the deal.

It started with LeBron James’ incredible block on Andrew Iguodala, who seemingly came from out nowhere. Then, Kyrie Irving drilled a clutch step back three point shot to put the Cavaliers up three, and then, in what could be considered cruel irony for the Warriors, it was Kevin Love who locked up Stephen Curry on the ensuing possession to help force a miss and end the game.

Now, the Cavaliers, knowing what it feels to be champions and celebrate with champagne in the locker room, they want that feeling again, so now the question remains, can they do the unthinkable, and repeat? While they lost some pieces to the puzzle from their 2015 Finals run in Timofey Mozgov and Matthew Dellavadova, they were able to pick up savy veterans in Mike Dunleavy Jr and Chris Anderson.

With Mo Williams backing out of playing another season and announcing his retirement, the drafted Kay Felder could get a chance to see some shine as well. Pending JR Smith’s contract status and assuming the two sides come to middle ground eventually, the Cavaliers are entering this season oozing with confidence and health, and should they remain healthy, they run the Eastern Conference. In actuality, it’s LeBron James who has run the Eastern Conference since 2010, since that is the last year he didn’t make the NBA Finals.

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Now, the Cavaliers are on top looking at the bottom for the first time, and with their Eastern Conference improving and a 73 win team adding Kevin Durant, the odds are even greater that the Cavaliers won’t win again. Then again, after this season, when it comes to the Cavaliers, never say never.