Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season
By Ryan Piers
4. Potential for postseason berth
Let’s not write off Cleveland before the year begins. Yes, the starting lineup lacks punch with a projected combined Wins Above Replacement of 1.9. That’s on par with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. There are plenty of questions about the bench as well.
Yet, the Eastern Conference is thinned out with multiple teams of Cleveland’s caliber likely jostling for one of the final couple playoff spots. The Boston Celtics appear to be juggernauts and it’s tough to think of a duo west of Texas better than Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Apart from that, the Toronto Raptors are good but may need time to jell. The verdict still out on every Milwaukee Bucks player besides Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Washington Wizards never seem to put it together and the Indiana Pacers may have overperformed last year. Is anyone really scared of the Miami Heat?
Cleveland’s roster isn’t exactly the most imposing. Still, if head coach Tyronn Lue can coax just a couple of players to their full potential, the Cavs should be right in the thick of things at the end of the season. Fans longing for another playoff run may get their wish.