If the Cleveland Cavaliers win one of their two remaining games, they will finish the regular season with the best record in the NBA, and therefore will get home court advantage in any series they play in throughout the playoffs. This is yet another first for the franchise in a season of firsts and records.
They achieved their first 60-win season. They won their first Central Division title since 1975-76. They have new career leaders in rebounding and blocked shots in Zydrunas Ilgauskas. They also broke the club records for wins, wins at home, and wins on the road.
However, a new season will start this weekend. And this one counts more than anything this franchise has accomplished since joining the NBA in 1970. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a legitimate chance to win an NBA title.
Back in November, Basketball Prospectus.com published an article by Anthony Macri asking if the Cavs could win the NBA title. The article started with the premise that a one star team would have difficulty winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy. It stated that the 2007 Cavs and the 2001 Sixers, led by Allen Iverson, were the only one star teams to even get to The Finals.
However, it did say the last three champions ranked very high in the league in point differential, had at least eight players who averaged over six points per game, and four of those guys averaged in double figures. So, with just two games remaining on the slate, how do the Cleveland Cavaliers measure up against the last three champs?
First, the wine and gold does lead the NBA in point differential at +9.1 points per game, leading the Lakers and Celtics, who both have a +7.6 difference. Orlando is fourth at +6.8 per game. They have this in common with both the ’08 Celtics and ’07 Spurs. The 2006 Miami Heat finished fifth in the league in this department.
Last year’s Boston team had ten players averaging over six points per game. The Spurs had seven players in this category, while Miami had eight. The current Cavs have eight players with above a 6.0 scoring average (James, Williams, Ilgauskas, West, Varajao, Gibson, Szczerbiak, and Smith). Boston also has eight, while Orlando and Los Angeles have seven, although the Magics’ Jameer Nelson is included in this list and he is out for the postseason.
All three of past champions had four players averaging in double figures, the same as the Cavaliers, who of course are led by James’ 28.3 ppg. Mo Williams is at 17.8, Ilgauskas is scoring 12.8 per night, and Delonte West is at 11.7 per contest. The Celtics also have four, while the Lakers and Magic have five players scoring more than 10.0.
So, the Cavs have the look of a team that can win the NBA title. However, so do Boston, Orlando, and Los Angeles. The next two months will provide plenty of thrills and exciting basketball. It won’t be an easy road for the wine and gold, but it is a road they can get to the end of.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 