3 Christmas gifts the Cavaliers have given fans this year

A Cavaliers Christmas Gift No. 3 – A Title Contender

The Cleveland Cavaliers missed the playoffs last season, are just two years removed from a 22-win season, and their starting lineup has only one player with any real playoff experience. That player is Donovan Mitchell, who joined the team with plenty of baggage and needing to integrate into a backcourt that already had an on-ball star.

The Cavaliers also played in a loaded Eastern Conference: the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors were all reasonable picks to finish above the Cavs, pushing Cleveland into the Play-In Tournament despite their upgrade.

Instead, the Cavs have come roaring out of the gate to prove their mettle as a team. They have the league’s best net rating, are tied in the wins column with Milwaukee for the top of the East, and as mentioned have the best defense in the association. Mitchell is balling, Garland is dishing, Allen is sitting and Mobley is going everything else.

Are the Cavs the favorites? No, and they can’t be, not without proving itself in the playoffs. Can the poor backcourt defense hold up in the playoffs? Can the Cavs really play three non-shooters against the best competition? How does J.B. Bickerstaff do with adjustments during a series? These questions can’t be answered yet, and postseason experience is a huge swing factor in playoff success.

That being said, the Cavaliers are absolutely contenders, with an elite defense and a dynamic star. That is one swell gift for the Cavs to give to their fans this year.

Have a Merry Christmas, watch some basketball, and go Cavs!