2016 NBA Playoffs: Can The Cleveland Cavaliers Be Taken Seriously?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are red hot through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but can they be considered a serious threat to overcome the Warriors or Spurs and win it all?
Another round, another opponent steamrolled by the red hot Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the Atlanta Hawks‘ best efforts — including a nine-point lead after the first quarter–paced by a 15-point explosion from Paul Millsap in the period — in the decisive Game 4 — they just could not keep the upper hand on the James Gang for long, eventually losing in a game that came down to the final seconds.
It was indicative of the entire series versus the Cavs: one where they were right in the mix in most games, but just didn’t have enough firepower to stave off the inevitable runs from the Cavaliers.
But it’s really not about the Hawks’ lack of talent or firepower; it’s about how incredible the Cavaliers have been thus far in the 2016 playoffs.
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The Cavaliers are currently second only to the Golden State Warriors among all playoff teams in points per game with 107.8 a night and are the best three-point shooting team with a .462 clip through eight games. Two of their Big Three rank in the top 10 in playoff scoring and the third, big man Kevin Love, is back in superstar form and averaging a double-double with 18.9 points and 12.5 rebounds a night.
Channing Frye and J.R. Smith look like the best long-distance shooters in the league and are draining shots from the arc at ridiculous clips of 57.1 and 50.8 percent, respectively.
On top of that, the Cavs have completed not one, but two sweeps in the first two rounds, playing the fewest games of any remaining playoff team and gaining invaluable rest for the stiffer competition that is sure to lie ahead.
No doubt, the King’s team has looked mighty impressive these first two rounds. However, is it enough to make us consider them a serious threat to knock off Golden State or the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals?
Granted, the Cavs have looked great; but one can argue that Golden State and San Antonio have been just as impressive — if not more so — against a higher quality of competition.
The former has gone 3-2 in five contests without the likely reigning two-time MVP on the strength of co-stars Klay Thompson (28.6 points per game) and Draymond Green (20.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game).
The latter is being led by a dynamic duo of their own as All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge (22.6 points per game) and Kawhi Leonard (22.1 points per game) have led the way for a Spurs team that ranks third in points per game and maintains the number one scoring defense despite suffering two losses to the high-octane Oklahoma City Thunder.
Despite facing more significant obstacles than the Cavaliers, neither team is showing any signs of weakness thus far in their quest for a championship.
Moreover, it’s not like the Cavs have faced the most superb competition through the first two rounds. They’ve swept a young, inexperienced Detroit Pistons team making its first playoff appearance since getting swept by the Cavs in 2009 and an Atlanta Hawks team that they’ve swept the last three times they’ve faced off in the playoffs going back to — coincidentally — 2009.
What’s even more eerie is the fact that the last time the Cavs breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs was also in 2009, when they ended up losing to the Orlando Magic in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
But enough raining on Cleveland’s parade. This team is not that 2009 team: LeBron James is far more skilled and battle-proven and he is surrounded by a far superior supporting cast. Furthermore, they’re hungry to prove that they are more than just lambs for the Warriors or Spurs to slaughter.
The Cavs are looking incredibly focused and are playing the best team basketball they’ve played in the two seasons since this they were assembled. They’re shooting the ball incredibly well and everyone from LeBron to Dahntay Jones is playing a significant role in their success.
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By far, they have been the most well-oiled machine in the playoffs thus far and if they continue to play at this pace, they will put themselves in great position to compete for an NBA title come June.