The Cleveland Cavaliers are a clear cut favorite in the East, but is there any chance they could be upset in the playoffs before the NBA Finals?
Several shuffling of players in free agency and via trade has caused various teams to have a different look heading into the 2016-17 NBA season. The one team that hasn’t had any major shuffling?
The Cleveland Cavaliers.
The only question currently is who will be the backup point guard behind Kyrie Irving. Matthew Dellavedova left Cleveland for the Milwaukee Bucks and veteran Mo Williams decided to retire before training camp opened. Rookie Kay Felder will hold that responsibility to start the season.
The only other loss was center Timofey Mozgov to the Lakers, which doesn’t hurt considering Tyronn Lue’s small ball strategy.
The biggest move came earlier this week in the re-signing of shooting guard J.R. Smith. Smith is an important part of this team and provides Lebron some support with his three point shooting.
I guess I have to consider LeBron James re-signing as the actual biggest move, but who didn’t expect that?
Bringing back the majority of their championship core makes them almost a lock to win the Eastern conference for the third straight year, setting up a possible rematch with the Golden State Warriors.
Before that happens they will have to go through some talented teams. Which ones have the best shot at stopping LeBron James and company in the NBA playoffs?