Emerging Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers

Can Kyrie Irving make himself a top 5 player in the league?

2013-14 Potential Lineup

PG: Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack

SG: Dion Waiters, Alonzo Gee, CJ Miles

SF: Anthony Bennett, Earl Clark

PF: Tristan Thompson, Tyler Zeller

C: Andrew Bynum, Anderson Varejao

The Cleveland Cavaliers had somewhat of a disappointing year last year finishing with a 24-58 (.293) record and placing 13^th in the Eastern Conference, a worse percentage than the season before: 21-45 (.318) 13^th in Eastern Conference. However the season was impacted by the injury of Anderson Varejao who was injured in early January for the rest of the season after averaging 14 points and 14 rebounds which was 2 more RPG than the NBA leader after the season (Dwight Howard). Furthermore star player Kyrie Irving missed 23 games with injury.

The Cavaliers will be determined to rebound from a couple of poor seasons and they have had a great offseason thus far, making them prime for a run to the playoffs. Mike Brown has been reinstated as head coach (potentially a move for Lebron?), they drafted Anthony Bennett as the number 1 draft pick, signed free agents Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark and took a chance at Andrew Bynum 2-time champ with the Lakers but has many injury concerns. It should be easy enough to improve over last years 24 win season, this team should aim to win 45-50 wins which may seem a little much at first but given that Kyrie Irving has continued to improve and will continue to do so and that he is helped by the other talented young players on the team I see no reason why 2 or 3 of the Cavs couldn’t have breakout years and really take the NBA by storm.

Kyrie Irving and their other young players have been gaining experience and talent as their careers have begun. Kyrie averaged 22.5 ppg 5.9 ast 3.9 rpg in only his second season, these numbers are better than Derrick Rose’s second season (he won MVP in his third). Dion Waiters averaged 14 points in only his first season, Tyler Zeller had 8pg and 5rpg for his first season and Tristan Thompson had 11ppg and 9rpg in his second season. Combine these guys with number 1 draft pick Anthony Bennett and they are set. The future definitely looks bright for Cleveland with these young players leading the charge. They have the talented guards and now with the addition of Andrew Bynum their frontcourt is a lot stronger

New starting centre Andrew Bynum

. He and Varejao should destroy the boards and beat most other frontcourts in the NBA. Varejao is a hustler, he dives for balls and his energy is evident in every match whereas Bynum is offensively skilled and has a plethora of post moves that can compete with any other big man in the league. They are a perfect fit and the health of these two will go a long way to deciding whether the Cavs make the playoffs.

If the team can stay healthy and that’s a big if after Bynum missed a whole season last year and Varejao missed half of it, then I have no doubt the Cavaliers should make the playoffs probably around the 6^th seed and have the potential to really push some of the elite teams come playoff time. They are in a tough division though with the Bulls and Pacers so they should be aiming for 3^rd in the Central division. With all this talented youth that raises the question, will Lebron return? (Read our next article to find out)

Where Will The Cavaliers End Up in the East?

1st-4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

Miss Playoffs

free polls

Like us on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/AirBallNbaNewsarticles