Hoops Habit
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5 Teams With The Most To Prove In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Celtics 130-109. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left in yellow cap, celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left in yellow cap, celebrates during the NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Has a reigning NBA champion ever been as dismissed and underrated as the Cleveland Cavaliers have become in the wake of the Kevin Durant signing?

Well, let’s be honest: prior to the Warriors adding Durant, people were already writing the Land’s first championship in 52 years off with the tired Draymond Green Game 5 suspension disclaimer.

Now — while fans acknowledge that the Cavs are the only team capable of knocking off this loaded Golden State squad — they have completely dismissed any chance of Cleveland repeating next season with the full expectation being that the Warriors will reclaim the throne next June.

But the Cavaliers are returning the majority of their championship roster as well as the guy who’s the reigning Finals MVP and — yes — STILL the best player in the world.

Cleveland also boasts a lot of depth that the Warriors seemingly lost to acquire Durant, who has yet to get the best of the King head-to-head, with James being 16-4 all time against his rival small forward.

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The Cavs figure to once again dominate the Eastern Conference during the regular season and through the playoffs, pitting them against the Warriors in the Finals for a third time where they’ll be out to prove that their 2016 championship run was no stroke of luck and that they are still the top team in the NBA.