Cleveland Cavaliers: Analyzing their position in league rankings
By Tony Pesta
The Cleveland Cavaliers have easily been the NBA’s most pleasant surprise this season. Originally expected to be a bottom-feeder for the third year in a row, the Cavs have overcome adversity and countless injuries to become a team that nobody wants to play against.
Rattling back-to-back wins over the Brooklyn Nets has vaulted the Cavaliers to an 8-7 record and the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. This team consists of a beautiful combination of experienced veterans like Andre Drummond, JaVale McGee, Larry Nance Jr, Cedi Osman and Taurean Prince while keeping the core youthful with Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Darius Garland, Dylan Windler and Jarrett Allen.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are proving they aren’t a fluke. After a full month of play, it’s time to reflect on how they rank against other NBA teams.
The Cavaliers sit at fifth in the East and only 2.5 games back from the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. They have recorded wins over current playoff teams likd the 76ers themselves, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and the Nets.
The sheer fact that this squad is above .500 should be praised. They spent more than half the season thus far with multiple core rotational players out due to injury. For roughly two weeks, the team had no true point guard in the lineup. And yet, they competed in just about every game.
Because of their inconsistent rotations, it’s been hard to judge this team. We are going to look at where the Cavaliers rank in three different categories and explain the context behind how they wound up in the position they are in.