NBA 2016-17 Eastern Conference Roundtable: Cavs, Trades And Takes

Oct 18, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against Washington Wizards in the first half at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against Washington Wizards in the first half at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) gets a high five from his teammates guard Kyrie Irving (2) and forward Kevin Love (0) after scoring during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) gets a high five from his teammates guard Kyrie Irving (2) and forward Kevin Love (0) after scoring during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

True/False: This Is Finally The Year That LeBron James Gets Dethroned In The East Playoffs

Saenz: False.

Morton: False.

Polazzon: False – It’s just plain foolish to doubt LeBron James. Next question please.

McFee: True – Many writers are picking a GS-CLE rematch and it would be hard to argue against that. There’s no doubt in my mind LeBron will continue to dominate, especially with J.R. Swish back in the fold; but I think their big men depth will be tested. As of right now Tristan Thompson and Chris Andersen are Lue’s starting and bench centers respectively.

Since Lue insists on kicking Love out to the 3 point line, what happens when Love and Thompson have to box out Amir Johnson and Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard, or Roy Hibbert and Marvin Williams? I think the size differential is enough to knock LeBron (finally) out of the playoffs.

Clark: True.

Staple Jr: False. This has been the question with any team led by LeBron since 2011. This will be the year he will get his comeuppance and not make the Finals. However, in any series, LeBron is always the X-factor, and unless he has an injury, or if Kyrie Irving were to go down, then we could discuss an upset. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that LeBron already has beaten a 60+ win team without a healthy Kyrie Irving in the playoffs two seasons ago. That’s just the scope of the impact that LeBron has on any team.

No team has been able to find an antidote for him. Only LeBron James can stop LeBron James. While the East has buffed up a little in terms of competition, this may only raise the level of play LeBron has. While his age is starting to get up there, it’s clear that he hasn’t lost a step, and since he has the uncanny ability to elevate the play of his teammates, I can’t see any reason to bet against the Cavs. Perhaps we will have a better definitive answer to this towards the middle of the regular season.

Webb: False, LeBron is still the king. Raptors didn’t change enough to get past Cleveland and the Celtics will come up short in Eastern Finals. Cavs still have Kyrie and Love will be much, much better this year.

Petree: False, LeBron owns the Eastern Conference. Period, end of discussion.