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Cleveland Cavaliers: Evaluating their team halfway through the season

By Hasan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 8: Cleveland Cavaliers during the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 8, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 8: Cleveland Cavaliers during the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 8, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on Novmber 24, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on Novmber 24, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Future

Last season, the Cavs had more leeway, as they looked to retain the top spot in the East. But with the Cavs in third place and the strength of opposition rising, they need to continue their assault on the top of the table to keep them in good shape for the playoffs.

The previous season was out filling the gaps in the team. With later additions to the team, the Cavs were still trying to get a consistently contributing bench. This season seems to be more oriented around recovering from injury and gelling as a team. Unlike last season, the foundations of a great bench seem to have been built now.

With the Cavs still dominating on offense, the improvement of starters like J.R. Smith and Jae Crowder and a much greater focus on defense could see the Cavaliers in a far better position when the playoffs arrive.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers, regardless if a trade happens, look to still have one of the league’s best offenses. It’s just time to put everything together and hopefully, that will happen sooner rather than later.