Cleveland made a strong statement on Wednesday with their victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are leading the West. With a record of 33-4, they are the best team in the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA. The Cavaliers deserve significantly more recognition as serious championship contenders. While the defending champion Boston Celtics are deserving favorites, Cleveland has the talent to compete for the title.
The Cavaliers' dominance is both impressive and surprising, especially considering that the team is largely unchanged from last season. Their All-Star backcourt, made up of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, is averaging 22.9 and 20.4 points per game, respectively. The most notable improvement has come from their star power forward, Evan Mobley, who is enjoying the best year of his career. Mobley is currently achieving career highs in scoring, free throw percentage, and three-point percentage. With an average of 18.9 points per game, he ranks as the team's third-leading scorer. His versatility on both ends of the floor makes him arguably the most important player for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers boast one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA, featuring six players who average over 10 points per game, making them a challenging team to defend against. With an impressive average of 122.7 points per game, the Cavaliers possess the second-best offense in the league. Additionally, they lead the NBA in offensive efficiency, shooting an outstanding 50.4% from the field.
With most of the roster staying the same as last season, a lot of credit must be given to head coach Kenny Atkinson. Previously, Atkinson served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors before accepting the position of head coach for the Cavaliers during the offseason.
Until Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers embark on a long playoff run and compete against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, they are likely to be seen as merely a "regular-season team." However, given their talent and historic 70-win pace, the Cavaliers are positioning themselves to be a formidable team in the playoffs.
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