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Playoff Picture: Cleveland Cavaliers

By Luke Duffy

Apr 2, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) look on in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) look on in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) tries to steal the ball away form Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) tries to steal the ball away form Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Verdict

It was looking grim there for a while, but this team has recovered from its early season wobble — so much so that to call them the favorites for the Eastern Conference crown is not a stretch. Atlanta has been the better regular season team, but as we’ve seen before, that means nothing when the postseason begins. James knows what it takes to win and he locked in right around the All-Star break.

Of course that does not guarantee success, but all the ingredients are in place so that it could all come together. The superstar (James), the second player who can take over if needs be (Irving). The defensive stopper (Shumpert) and lane clogger (Mozgov). There is even a wildcard (Smith) and a former young stud with more than a point to prove (Love). Had they not played so well heading into the playoffs you’d be forgiven for thinking they could be beaten over seven games by a team that grinds them down.

Now though? I’m not so sure. This team has shown me something since about February, and that is the ability to win big or win ugly. Both demoralize your opponents in different ways. Cleveland now has the tools to do both. Conference finals for sure, and after that, a slim loss at the big one before bouncing back in the next year or two.

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