The Cleveland Cavaliers have shocked everybody and jumped out to a perfect 3-0 start to the 2020-21 NBA season. Here is how they’ve done it.
Through the first week of play, the Cleveland Cavaliers stand as one of five teams to remain undefeated. This marks just the second time the Cavs have won three consecutive games following LeBron James’ departure and the first time they’ve opened a season 3-0 since their 2016-17 campaign.
For a team that was projected to be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings – I think everybody is a bit surprised to see how good they look so far.
Sure, they haven’t beaten any notable teams. The Charlotte Hornets are a young team with plenty of new faces that didn’t have proper time to build chemistry before opening night, whereas the Detroit Pistons are a mess with miss-matched pieces attempting to play together (and Blake Griffin jacking up 16 3-pointers). The Philadelphia 76ers would have been a worthy opponent – but Joel Embiid was out with an injury.
Nonetheless, 3-0 is 3-0. The Cavaliers took care of business in each game, something they weren’t capable of doing on a routine basis last year. And, for anyone who has watched the team in the last three seasons, something feels different about the way they are performing.
There is newfound energy among the young players – and the veteran leadership feels more like leadership, rather than the pouting we saw at times last season. For once in Cleveland, everything seems to be clicking.
With a cultural renaissance taking place in Cleveland, let’s break down three reasons the Cavaliers have begun the season 3-0.