While the preseason is in full swing, USA Basketball continues its traditional presentation, team by team, of the upcoming NBA season. This takes, as every year, the form of a countdown, from the worst record in the league to our favorite for the title of champion.
For the Riders, the title of champion still seems far from an option at this point, but that could well evolve in the long term. While waiting to aim for a second Larry O’Brien trophy, the Ohio franchise will first have to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the date of LeBron James’ second departure. Precisely, the playoffs have long been promised to him in 2021/22, before JB Bickerstaff’s men collapse at the end, in particular due to injuries fromEvan Mobley and of Jarrett Allenthe neo-All-Star.
Still, Cleveland, in full progress, has been able to rebuild perfectly for four years and, this summer, the local leaders have decided to accelerate this process of reconstruction by recovering… Donovan Mitchell. The now ex-back of Jazz, obtained in exchange for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and rookie Ochai Agbaji, will therefore form a formidable pair in the backcourt of the Cavs, alongside Darius GarlandAll-Star also and new boss of this ambitious group.
With a solid starting five, on the outside (Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert/Isaac Okoro) and inside the racket (Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen), with a supplied and experienced bench (Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Cedi Osman, Robin Lopez, Dean Wade…), the Cavaliers seem well equipped to reach the playoffs. Without a certain LeBron James in the workforce, it would be a first for them since… 1998!
The young troop of JB Bickerstaff will in any case have no other choice but to perform collectively, because they sent the trifle of five first rounds of Draft (!) in Utah, to secure the services of Donovan Spida Mitchell. Suffice to say that, in Ohio, the pressure is palpable today and it will be necessary to manage it as well as possible, by feeding on the disappointment of last spring (elimination from the play-in).
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
— Arrivals : Donovan Mitchell (Jazz), Ricky Rubio (Pacers), Raul Neto (Wizards), Robin Lopez (Magic), Isaiah Mobley (Draft)
— Departures : Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton and Ochai Agbaji (Jazz), Rajon Rondo, Moses Brown (Clippers), Ed Davis, Brandon Goodwin
PLAYER TO WATCH: DONOVAN MITCHELL
Like his former teammate Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, Donovan Mitchell is opening a new chapter in his career in Cleveland, at just 26 years old. All-Star established for three years, who averages 23.9 points in the regular season and 28.3 points in the playoffs since his arrival in the league, “Spida” is a player with certain talent, capable of raising the level of a team with its offensive qualities and its versatility in scoring.
Still, the last months of his adventure in Utah have somewhat tarnished his reputation. Criticized for individualism in attack, his absences in defense and his lack of leadership, the rear therefore has a lot to prove in Ohio, where he is in any case delighted to have landed, despite the interest of the Knicks .
And, even if his status is well established now, it will be important to determine his role because, not to mention Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland is well established at the head of the local collective.
A real challenge in perspective for JB Bickerstaff, who will be responsible for finding the right balance and installing a clear hierarchy, so that his Garland/Mitchell pair is running at full speed and not stepping on it offensively. Without hampering the Cavaliers too much defensively either, avoiding overstretching this Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen duo called upon to regularly close the gaps.
Average age: 27 years old
Payroll: $172.3 million (9th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
Clearly, a new era is dawning in Ohio. Carried by their prolific All-Star tandem, Darius Garland – Donovan Mitchell, who quickly finds his bearings, the Cavaliers easily climb into the Top 8 of their conference and they even settle in the Top 6, fighting for the advantage from the field in the first round of the playoffs. It must be said that, in the racket, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen reassure and provide the defensive stability necessary for the “backcourt”. In addition to converting their many caviars, on the offensive level.
With Isaac Okoro or Caris LeVert as the last holder, JB Bickerstaff can also alternate styles in his five majors, and the technician juggles well depending on the opponents. A balance reinforced by Kevin Love, the ghost Ricky Rubio, Cedi Osman, Robin Lopez or even Dean Wade who bring their experience, and their efficiency, in relay of the holders.
To top it off, injuries rarely affect Cavaliers players, who can therefore reach their full potential on either side of the floor.
Scarecrow par excellence in the East, the Ohio franchise presents arguments to make to cross at least one round in the playoffs. And, even if you have to face a big piece from the start, no obstacle seems insurmountable for this ambitious, balanced, supplied group which, above all, has the whole future ahead of it…
WORST SCENARIO
For the first time since LeBron James’ second start, the Cavaliers are expected and closely scrutinized. A certain form of pressure difficult to manage for this team, which seemed more comfortable when it advanced in the shadows. Inevitably, the collective results are affected and are up and down, while direct qualification for the playoffs quickly becomes out of reach, given the density of this Eastern conference.
To hope for better than the “play-in”, the players of JB Bickerstaff should have already been able to count on a good understanding between their leaders, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Having trouble working together, they certainly make their stats but playing one after the other. Worse: if Jarrett Allen remains true to himself at position 5, they slow down the development of Evan Mobley at position 4, who never finds his role offensively. A Mobley/Allen pair that is especially exhausted to catch up with the defensive mistakes of the Garland/Mitchell tandem…
Rather effective, Kevin Love, Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman and other Dean Wade are not enough to keep up appearances. As for Ricky Rubio, who recovered late, he is unfortunately struggling to regain his pre-injury level, while the disappointing Isaac Okoro continues not to justify his status as the 5th choice of the 2020 Draft. To put things into perspective, the Cavaliers can always say that their group is young and that they still have plenty of time to make the most of it. But this season is clearly not living up to expectations.
