The Cleveland Cavaliers could very well be turning a significant corner in the future of their franchise. I’ve wondered when this time would come since former Cavalier LeBron James left this team four years ago. The team has wandered aimlessly over recent years searching for a team and players that would begin a new period in time that would be remembered years from now. I’ve talked about this in previous articles I’ve written on KJG.
The Cavs started as a franchise back in the late 1970s. They had nice teams then and made it to the playoffs three seasons. Years later, LeBron James came into the storyline for the team in the early 2000s and we know what eventually happened with that. Google Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship for your answer.
While you’re doing that, google the Cavalier teams of the late 1980s and early 1990’s. There you’ll find names like Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Ron Harper, Larry Nance, and Mark Price. That is what this new group of Cavaliers reminds me so much of. Just insert the names like Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, Kevin Love, and Isaac Okoro. That group, like that former Cavs team, is creating an identity that is being recognized for its’ grassroots conception, the tenacity of the team, with the emphasis on playing team basketball where selfish play you might find on other NBA teams, isn’t an issue with this group.
It really is a beautiful thing when you can watch a team like the Cavs right now. One can literally feel how connected the team is by their actions on the court.
I love the movie Hoosiers, the 1986 basketball classic film where the character Norman Dale, the coach of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team is teaching his team how to become better. The coach in the movie preaches team concepts like passing the ball and working together as one, that no one player is more important than the other.
This current Cavalier team isn’t playing hoops back in the 1950s but now they are playing together as one unit and that is so refreshing to watch because it really is the opposite of what many NBA teams are these days, where they rely on a few players and isolation plays. The Wine and Gold are the opposite of that, and they’re building a team of stars that are unselfish and that’s exciting.
With that, let’s take a shot at a few questions that we have about this true team.
#1: How good are the Cavaliers?
They are good, very good and all of the NBA and fans across the world are starting to see that firsthand. The Cavs have now won four games in a row and stand in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. This is the third time that the good guys have put together four-game win streaks.
Additionally, on the subject of team play, the Cavaliers are also the only team with eight players who are averaging double-digit scoring.
When I was coaching middle school basketball teams, I always prided myself on having all the players score in a game. If I had 12 guys on the squad, if we could get most of the players to score, I thought that was a great indication of spreading the wealth and playing team ball. In most games, we’d get eight or nine players scoring and that was an accomplishment.
Having the Cavs having so many players averaging over 10 points a game is truly amazing in this day and age of the NBA.
As long as this team plays like that, then they will be competing and challenging the best in the league. They certainly are solidly in the run for the playoffs and that is the next big step for this group.
The biggest team stat that showcases their team efforts is the defensive numbers for the Cavs. They are currently second in the league in the fewest points allowed in a game at 101.9. The Golden State Warriors are number one at 100.4. Last season the team allowed 112 points per game. That’s a huge improvement and another reason they are playing so well and winning games.
That starts with shutting opponents down early in games and the Cavs lead the NBA in fewest points allowed to start games. They are only giving up 24.6 points in the first quarter. Whereas they are averaging 31 points scored against their opponents over the last three games.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team is averaging 28 assists a game over the last three games and that’s fourth in the league. They also are averaging 106 points a game which is up from a year ago at 103 points. In the last three games, the Cavs have actually been averaging 115 yards. Solid defense plus scoring more than in the past equals victories and thus the solid season so far.
#2: Has Isaac Okoro turned a corner?
The Cleveland guard has been in the starting lineup pretty much the last two years. This season, Okoro seemed to some, including this writer that he was the weak link, primarily because of his lack of scoring. He’s been a good defender but not a consistent scorer. It took him until mid-November when he finally scored in double figures.
That seems to have abruptly changed in the last three games as he’s totaled 16, 20, and 18 points. His aggressive defense has filtered down to his offense now. He’s been driving to the basket much more but has also been launching the outside three-point shot more. He put up eight three-point attempts in the last game against the Miami Heat. He made four of them. Other teams have been giving him that outside shot because he’s not been known to take the shot or make them.
The other telling statistic for Okoro recently has been his plus/minus number when he’s on the floor playing. Generally, one wants to see a positive number. His last four games during his team’s win streak have been, plus-23, plus-17, plus-14, and plus-11.
This new resurgence for Okoro is a big help to this team’s success moving forward. When you see Okoro is still only 20 years old, it’s very encouraging to see this latest stretch of games from him.
#3: Can Cleveland keep winning?
Why not! Absolutely. They host the lowly Houston Rockets Wednesday night. The Rockets are 9-18 this season, and they have a bunch of injuries. They did have a nice comeback win earlier in the week against the Atlanta Hawks, though, and have been playing better in recent weeks. That will give the Rockets a bit of confidence, but the Cavaliers have been playing so well right now I see that as a win.
Up next, Cleveland travels to Milwaukee to face the team that currently stands a game ahead of them in the NBA standings. The Bucks’ superstar player and big man Giannis Antetokounmpo will reportedly be out for a stretch to come due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, though. He’ll miss the game Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers and likely now the Cavs game Saturday night.
The Wine and Gold then head to Atlanta on Sunday to face the Hawks. They are currently struggling a bit and are one game under .500 as we write this article. The following week on Wednesday, Dec. 22, the Cavs will go to Boston to play the Celtics, another team playing just average basketball.
Can Cleveland roll this streak from for games to eight? Evan Mobley reportedly being questionable due to hip soreness is potentially a reason that may not play out, but we’ll have to see. The way this season has gone so far, I have little doubt that each of these next four will all be competitive and close, either way.
Certainly, if these Cavaliers can stay focused on that team style of play, then look for that record to keep getting better, regardless. Nothing is stopping this team yet.