King James Gospel
Fansided

5 Cavs who have surpassed expectations this season

By Quenton S. Albertie

(L-R) Cedi Osman
(L-R) Cedi Osman /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  DECEMBER 17: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James
WASHINGTON, DC –  DECEMBER 17: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James /

LeBron James

LeBron James is older, wiser and a better shooter than he ever was but has retained his otherwordly athleticism. The combination of his mental acuity, physical prowess and natural passing ability had already made James the best player in the world but now that he’s draining 30-foot jumpers with both confidence and ease, he’s literally unstoppable.

He’ll be 33-years-old next Friday and is averaging 28.4 points, 9.2 assists, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.0 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from three-point range (5.1 attempts per game) and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. These numbers are all the best that they’ve been since he returned to Cleveland in 2014, save for his rebounding average.

His per game averages for points and rebounds are tied for the second-highest of his career. His per game average for assists and his shooting percentages from the field, three-point range and the free-throw line are the highest of his career. In his 15th season, it’s hard not to say James is having his best season to date.

With improved spacing, Hulk-like strength, a feathery touch and the ability to get to the basket at will, James has improved his efficiency on drives and went from shooting 58.5 percent on such possessions last season to 62.0 percent this season. He’s especially improved as a pull-up shooter, making 39.3 percent of those attempts from three-point range this season after making 34.9 percent of those them last season.

James is even ratcheting up the confidence in himself late, as evidenced by his numbers in the clutch. While being the leading point-getter in the clutch, James is shooting 57.4 percent from the field (3.5 attempts per game) this season compared to 53.0 percent from the field (1.9 attempts per game) last season.

By the by, James has been a stellar defender this season and it goes past him darting into passing lanes for a steal or coming up with electrifying blocks in transition. Playing with more effort this season than in years past has seen James guarding the opponents best players in the clutch, regardless of the position – whether it’s Dennis Schroder, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin or Kristaps Porzingis.

In addition, this season James is holding opponents to 37.9 percent shooting from the field and 0.84 points per possession. Last season, opponents were shooting 39.5 percent against James and scoring 0.88 points per possession. It’s not a big difference when looking at the numbers but one missed shot here and one missed shot there are what could lead to teams winning or losing.

The King’s performances have been more than MVP-worthy all season. They’ve been eye-opening and transcendent. He’s well on his way to earning his fifth NBA MVP award and tying Michael Jordan in that category.