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NBA: Ranking The Top Threats To The Cavaliers In The East

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) comes away with a rebound against Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) comes away with a rebound against Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Cleveland Cavaliers suddenly looking vulnerable, here are the five teams that would present the biggest challenge to LeBron James’ sixth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

NBA
Nov 25, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) comes away with a rebound against Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

As we enter the home stretch of any NBA season, it’s become commonplace to wonder which dark horse challengers could make life interesting for the title contenders at the top of the standings. This season is no different, especially when it comes to the suddenly mortal Cleveland Cavaliers out East.

Though any LeBron James-led team is generally a safe bet to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, this year’s Cavs team feels more vulnerable than last season’s rendition, which struggled to incorporate Kevin Love into the offense and keep Kyrie Irving healthy.

A year later, little has changed, and with King James now sending out subliminal messages on social media at age 31, there are serious questions about this team’s short-term future. They just don’t match up well with the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs, who are the two heavy title favorites this season. Even worse, there’s no guarantee anymore that Cleveland will be representing the East in the Finals at all.

For all our recent concern about LeBron James’ leadership and the state of the Cleveland Cavaliers, there’s no question they’re the best team in the East so far this season. Their East-leading 52-33 record reflects that, as does their conference-best point differential of +6.1.

Related Story: NBA Power Rankings: Week 23

But with so many other Eastern teams playing better ball at the moment, it’s time to take a look at the top five teams that could challenge the Cavaliers in their path to the NBA Finals…and what it might take to knock King James off the hill.

Next: No. 5