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NBA Playoffs: Overconfidence a Small Concern for Cavs

By Jared Mueller

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) points down the court during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs win 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) points down the court during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs win 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Playoffs have been on pause for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans. Could overconfidence be a problem for the team?

With the NFL Draft in full swing and the Cavs on their long layoff, we have all gotten a break for the action. We are itching for more, how about you?

Everything we have seen for the Cavs, via social media or interviews, has presented a loose, relaxed and confident bunch. So many things to choose from but this Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert “Running Man” video is just pure fun:

Love watching professional athletes have fun.

For a Cavs team that has been full of drama and angst for two full seasons, loose and confident is a much better look and feel for the team.

And why shouldn’t they be? The rest of the Eastern Conference has, or did, beat each other up in unimpressive fashion.

The Atlanta Hawks, the Cavs next opponent, went 6 games against a Boston Celtics team that had one offensive weapon, Isaiah Thomas, and nothing else. The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets play Game 7 tonight and have alternated looking good and terrible.

Even the #2 seeded Toronto Raptors have a Game 7 tonight against the 7th seeded Indiana Pacers. With two studs in the backcourt and depth all around, the Raptors should have made short work of the Paul George and little else Pacers. Instead, they could be going home.

The Cavs have good reason to be confident. If the Hornets and Pacers win tonight, they could easily sweep their way to the NBA Finals. Even with the Heat and Raptors win, there is little reason to believe any series will be more than a speed bump.

Yet, should fans and Cavs management be worried about overconfidence? When the Cavs tip off against the Hawks tomorrow night, will they come in on cruise control or will they look to put away their opponent quickly? A tough fought series, like the one against the Detroit Pistons, might be best for the Cavs. A series where the team plays down to their opponents with hopes of “flipping the switch” might be the worst thing possible.

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The Cavs swept the #1 seeded Hawks last season in a series full of motivation. The Hawks had the East’s best record, had 4 All-Stars (to the Cavs 1) and talked as if they expected to make the Finals. That motivation led to a quick and painful sweep.

Lacking any of that motivation this year, as well as the Hawks losing DeMarre Carroll in free agency, will the Cavs show the same sense of urgency? Will their loose, confident presentation continue on the court where focus and drive are far more important?

The fun, relaxed and confident Cavs team that enters the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs is far better than the drama filled team of the Regular Season. The key will be whether the team can turn the intensity meter back up to Playoffs levels after a week off from games.

Any worries about the Cavs being overconfident now in the NBA Playoffs?