Cleveland Cavaliers: How the Cavs have emerged as a legit Finals contender

Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
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Darius Garland
Darius Garland (David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)

There’s no limit on the potential of the Cleveland Cavaliers

The sky truly is the limit for the Cleveland Cavaliers. With this level of offensive firepower and gritty defensive prowess, the Cavs are going to be a tough out against anybody. The only small negative for the team is that with the exception of Kevin Love and Cedi Osman, the team hasn’t had the consistent bench play of other Eastern Conference contenders but there is still plenty of time to work out those kinks and trade options if necessary.

Cleveland won’t be able to sustain this hot start forever but they will always be able to look back on this and know what they’re truly capable of when fully bought in. As long as they stay healthy, there will be no “play-in” game for the Cavs this time around. This team looks more likely to host a playoff series as a top-four seed in a loaded Eastern Conference and is talented enough to make a run.

Will the Cavaliers always be seen in some ways as “LeBron’s team”? In some ways, yes. The man did bring the franchise its only championship after all and Cleveland will forever appreciate him for that.

But these fans are hungry for another, and the new-look Cavaliers are finally in a position to bring it to them.