Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 31
Next
NBA
Oct 7, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) works under the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Is King James Enough To Rule The East Again?

For five straight years now, all it’s taken to win the East is a healthy LeBron James and a couple of supplemental players capable of capitalizing on the opportunities he brings to the table. Even with star teammates like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love banged up or completely out, James has been enough to carry whatever team he’s been on to five straight Finals.

That’s both a statement about LeBron’s greatness AND the shortage of talent in the East, but heading into the 2015-16 season, the best player in basketball faces a new challenge: carrying his team in the regular season.

Just a few months away from his 31st birthday, LeBron’s usage and minutes need to start decreasing, but with Kyrie Irving out until possibly January, Iman Shumpert sidelined for weeks and Tristan Thompson currently holding out, the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers will be riding him and Kevin Love a bit more than they probably should.

A healthy, complete Cavs team can contend for a title in 2015-16, but will LeBron have enough left in the tank by then? Or will he be doomed to the fate of Atlas once again, carrying a gargantuan load only to come up short in the Finals?

Next: Dallas Mavericks