Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned vs. Atlanta Hawks

For the first time since returning, this team is built completely around

LeBron.

This has always been LeBron’s team, but it’s completely different now. For the first time since he returned, every single player that is on the roster is here because of how they compliment James. Additionally, every player that’s still on the roster has a skill that LeBron amplifies.

We all know LeBron makes his teammates better. We’ve been saying that for years. But, there are certain players that James makes better than others.

LeBron’s best teammates haven’t always been the best players. James has a knack of getting the best out of catch-and-shoot snipers, athletic players, and guys that can attack in transition.  Each player on this roster now fits that mold.

It’s not an accident that Green, Korver, and Osman all played their best games of the season against Atlanta. All three of these players got opportunities that they haven’t been getting consistently this year. Those three players aren’t going to play like this every night, but they will all have the opportunity to have nights like this moving forward.

Another byproduct of this team being built solely around James is him possibly climbing back in the MVP race. Nights like this could become the norm when all the new players are integrated into the system.

It’s too early to judge how this team is going to do. But it’s clear that the Cavs have made a concerted effort to build a team specifically tailored for LeBron. We’ll see if it all works out like it did Friday night in Atlanta.

Must Read: 3 reasons the Cavs-Lakers trade was a win-win

The Cavs hope to have their new players cleared to play when they go to Boston for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Celtics.