Why the Cavaliers might actually be the NBA’s best team

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cavaliers have a number of subjective advantages

In addition to the objective numbers playing in their favor, like advanced metrics and defensive numbers, there are a number of more subjective arguments to make for the Cavs being the best team in the entire league.

First, they have been hit by injury more than the other top teams. Per Man Games Lost, they have had the third-most games lost to injury this season in the entire league, behind only the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat (what’s going on in Florida?). That’s significantly more than the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, and ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets as well:

Secondly, they are an incredibly deep team. Their starting lineup is as good as anyone in the league — it ranks ninth in net rating among all high-minute groups, and in the last 15 games it’s the best lineup in the entire league. Then you add in bench players like Ricky Rubio, Caris LeVert, Danny Green and Dean Wade. Oh, and Cedi Osman and Raul Neto. Lamar Stevens and Kevin Love aren’t even in the rotation!

Next. Eastern Conference Power Rankings after the NBA Trade Deadline. dark

The Cleveland Cavaliers might not be the best team in the NBA. They may be the second-best or even the fifth-best. What is clear is that this team is not a fluke; they have handled opponents all season long, they are both star-laden and deep, and they have a theory on both ends of the court. And they just might actually be the best team in the NBA.