The mark of a very good team is the ability to win in many different ways. So far in this NBA season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have demonstrated the ability to do just that. They have won with big scoring games by the best player in the world, LeBron James. They have won with James playing the all around game. They have won by playing strong defense; they have won by outscoring teams. But, what they are doing mostly in winning.
Many people pooh-poohed the win over the Nuggets on Thursday night, but Denver has lost just one game since aquiring Chauncey Billups from Detroit, and they defeated the Celtics at Boston the night after the wine and gold held them to 39 points in the second half in a 110-99 victory. The Cavs haven’t played the strongest of schedules thus far, but they also haven’t played the dregs of the NBA either. The lone exception being the road win over Dallas, which is off to a 2-7 start.
On the other hand, would these critics feel better if the Cavs lost to the teams they have played? Of course not. The wine and gold have beaten the teams they are supposed to beat, and that, my friends, is a good thing.
What really encourages me is the Cavaliers’ ability to stretch leads when #23 is on the bench, something that was mostly impossible the past couple of years. Against the Nuggets, the Cavs put the game away with James watching as Mo Williams took control and spurred the team to a run, which gave Cleveland control of the game. That is something else that should be encouraging to Cleveland hoop supporters.
Mike Brown is even starting to get rookie J.J. Hickson get some playing time in the first half, which is something we have been asking for. The rookie doesn’t appear to be overmatched when he is in there, and the coaching staff seems to know they will need Hickson to develop into a contributor for the stretch run. So far, it looks like GM Danny Ferry made a very good pick toward the end of the first round.
The biggest thing for the Cavaliers is that right now, everyone is playing the way they need to play for the team to be successful. Anderson Varajao is providing energy, rebounded, and taking charges. Ben Wallace is rebounding and playing defense. Wally Szczerbiak is hitting outside shots, and Daniel Gibson has expanded his game to involve the running floater in the lane.
Heck, LeBron James is even diving on the floor for loose balls, which his coach loved. The Cavs hit the road for games against New Jersey and Detroit this week, and I can’t wait to see how they do. The Cavaliers are playing like a team on a mission right now. That mission includes bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy to the Q this June.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 