With all the injuries last season during the playoffs to very key players, the Cleveland Cavaliers are poised to return to prominence this coming season.
It is less than two weeks until training camp opens in Cleveland. LeBron James has taken it upon himself to organize the players and to have off-season team workouts in Miami, Florida.
Many of the players that joined with LeBron James in Miami have posted photos of the team after a workout. We saw Joe Harris, Anderson Varejao, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, LeBron James, Sasha Kaun, J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson, Mo Williams and last but not least Iman Shumpert. So the guys were able to get a good workout in and bond with new teammates Williams, Jefferson and Kaun.
It is encouraging that LeBron brought this many player together for a workout. Also of encouragement is that LeBron has the drive and determination to prepare for this upcoming season and get the squad pumped up heading into training camp.
With Kyrie Irving anticipated to be out for the first few months of the season, it appears the team must prepare for his absence by practicing with Mo Williams who signed with the team in the off-season as the back-up for Irving. It would not surprise me to see Williams playing 25-30 minutes a game until Irving returns.
This should give a jump-start to the team chemistry for the long haul. Yes, it may require us to be patient as the team might struggle heading out of the gate but should be gelling by the time Kyrie is able to contribute. As you know, it is most important to be healthy heading into May and June rather than the beginning of the season.
The only troubling aspect of the off-season is the contract situation of Tristan Thompson. Thompson and agent Rich Paul have made it clear to the Cavaliers that they will accept no long-term deal that is not a max or near max contract.
It concerning that Thompson might become disgruntled after he must sign his qualifying offer. No doubt it would be best if the Cavs could sign Thompson for five years as he seems to have not reached his ceiling yet. Lets hope that Thompson leaves the negotiations at the table and leaves it outside the building and stays positive in the locker room.
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With five plus weeks till the beginning of the season, the front office has again assembled an intriguing team with a few new veterans to come off the bench in Williams and Jefferson and fifth big man Sasha Kaun showing how much he can contribute.
With LeBron James on a mission to win a NBA championship here in Cleveland, the entire city will be abuzz again when the Cavaliers open the season, albeit without Kyrie Irving.
After seeing how this city came alive last season in May and throughout the post-season, it can only mean we will see more of the same this upcoming season. Cleveland will continue to bleed wine and gold and will be supporting their team continuously.
A welcome back shout-out to Mo Williams and welcome to Cleveland Richard Jefferson and Sasha Kaun, it will be an incredible season. Good luck and Go Cavs!