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Cleveland Cavaliers: Why this Christmas isn’t special

By Duane Rohrbacher

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 25: The Cleveland Cavaliers tee shirts on courtside seats are seen before the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 25: The Cleveland Cavaliers tee shirts on courtside seats are seen before the game against the Golden State Warriors on December 25, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers playing the Golden State Warriors is supposed to be special. It’s supposed to be meaningful. Not this year. Too much is in the air.

This Christmas Day game just doesn’t feel right. No Stephen Curry. No Isaiah Thomas. The Warriors are coming off a disappointing 15-point loss where they scored a measly 81 points. The Cleveland Cavaliers are still getting Tristan Thompson back into the rotation. Draymond Green isn’t healthy. Just so many things, yet so much hype.

The Cavs don’t know their identity

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These Cavaliers, the December 2017 version, is not going to look like the April 2018 version. Head coach Tyronn Lue has time to integrate Thomas into the rotation. He has to decide if Cedi Osman, Channing Frye, or Iman Shumpert sticks in the rotation. The Cavs are always a candidate for a trade deadline trade. This year, some big names, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, or DeAndre Jordan could be available. So, there’s a very good chance the playoff and Christmas Cavs don’t look alike. Just for starters, that’s one reason this game shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

The Warriors aren’t in top form

Even before the 15-point loss and only 81 points scored, something seemed off with the Warriors. Green isn’t completely healthy. Curry’s bad ankles are keeping him out (again). The new pieces, Bell and Casspi in particular, don’t know what their long-term roles will be. Kevin Durant looks as good as ever but there’s a reason he never won a championship on his own. Without a fully healthy starting lineup and coming off a disappointing, uncharacteristic loss, it’s hard to imagine seeing the Warriors play some of their best ball. But, do not fear, the Warriors are far from done. After winning eleven straight, they are easily still the league’s most feared team, but for now, the regular season is slowly taking its toll on this team.

This feels more like a 2008 OKC Thunder v Cleveland Cavaliers game

With All-Star point guards out, this game reminds me more of a 2008 Cavs/Thunder affair than a 2017 Warriors/Cavs game. It’s going to be a lot of Durant against LeBron. It will be marvelous to watch but the outcome really doesn’t matter. Since the 2014-2015 season, this is arguably the least significant Warriors/Cavs affair and it might be the least significant game between these two teams for the foreseeable future.

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All that to say: enjoy watching the game and enjoy Christmas. But, in the end, don’t think this game will hold any true value.