With an impressive performance on the road in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the NBA Finals, their second in as many years. Although the Cavaliers lost two games (their only two of the post-season) against the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals, the margin of their wins in the series showed their dominance.
Combining the East and West, Cleveland have been the quickest to take care of business at every stage of the Playoffs. They swept the Detroit Pistons in the first round, and then swept the Atlanta Hawks in Conference Semis before winning the East 4-2 at Toronto.
The 2016 NBA Finals will be the sixth consecutive for the four-time league MVP LeBron James, making him the only player to achieve a feat such as this in the last 50 years.
The Cavaliers team that has made it to the Finals this time, is a lot different from last year’s. First things first they are healthier and have a deeper reliable bench to go to. Second, history backs them as every NBA team in the last 10 years that has returned to the Finals, after losing the previous year, has claimed the championship.
However, history and health is not going to be enough. There is a lot more to this team that just that. Here’s why this Cleveland team is the favorites to win the NBA Finals:
#1 Tyron Lue’s coaching
Firing David Blatt after a 30-11 record this past season caught everyone by surprise. The element of surprise had more to do with the timing rather than the firing itself, but this was something the Cleveland management was looking to do for a long time. The lack of coaching experience at the biggest stages of them all, caused Blatt to lose his player’s trust and eventually his job.
In the midst of the players’ growing lack of faith in Blatt, grew an unlikely strong bond with the assistant Tyron Lue, which has shown in his coaching and the team’s play during his coaching tenure since Blatt’s firing. Under him, the team has gone 27-14 in the regular season and 12-2 in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Especially in the playoffs, the Cavaliers have come together under him as a group and have played a lot more as a team than they ever did under the previous regime. Part of the reason for that has been the bond and understanding he shares with all the players on the team.
That has led to completely changing the style of offense the team plays. Since Lue’s hiring, the Cavaliers have started to play a faster paced high-tempo offense, which supports or makes the best use of LeBron’s talents in the open floor in transition. The team is relatively young and going by their Playoff success, seems like Lue’s got them playing a style of ball that maximizes the roster’s talents.
#2 Momentum, chemistry, and togetherness
Momentum, focus, belief, trust, execution and teamwork, these are among the most important qualities you look for in a team that is looking to contend for an NBA title and so far in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Cavaliers have displayed each of these qualities and much more.
On their way to the NBA Finals, Cleveland has blown past the Eastern Conference and in the process helping their team build chemistry on and off the floor. This is a huge difference between the 2015 Cavalier team that made it to the Finals and the current one.
Winning helps chemistry and as these playoffs have progressed the Cavs have been able to dismantle any opponent in front of them by sharing the ball, sacrificing and not pointing any fingers.
Last year’s team had no Kevin Love playing (due to injury), Kyrie Irving was out barring Game 1, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert had just come in that January from the New York Knicks. Center Timofey Mozgov also had just arrived in early January. This time around, except Channing Fyre, who arrived just before the mid-season trade deadline, all other players have been together for the entire season, building camaraderie and trust.
#3 High octane offense and suffocating defense
Part of the reason why the Cavaliers have been this great is their talent on a weaker Eastern Conference. All through the Playoffs they played against teams that were both young and inexperienced or talent deprived or simply banged up. Having said that credit should be given where it’s due. No matter what the circumstances, Cleveland has flat out dominated the Eastern Conference Playoffs and they have done it on both ends of the floor.
They rank No.1 on offense in the Playoffs (including teams in the West) with a net offensive efficiency rating of 116.2, leading the league in field goal percentage inside and beyond the three-point line. They average 14.4 threes (lead the league) per game at a percentage of 43.4 (lead the league). Their combined field goal percentage of 47.5% is also the highest among all the teams in the post-season.
The only thing that offense still has to face is a large lead in a crunch situation. Before Game 3 against the Raptors, the Cavaliers never lost a game let alone being blown out of one and against the Warriors unless they play flawless basketball every minute, they are going to have to make a run sometimes under pressure. Other than that, their offense has been firing all cylinders all post-season.
While their defense hasn’t been their calling card all season, it was their pillar of confidence during their Finals run last year and they have made it that during these Playoffs. They rank 4th among teams this post-season, allowing their opponents to score only 94.3 points per game on average. Although their defensive stats don’t showcase any dominance, their ability to adapt to opposition’s style of play and defend accordingly is tremendous and was showcased in the series against the Raptors.
#4 LeBron James’ supporting cast healthy and well equipped this year
LeBron James has been in the top 5 of the MVP voting every one of the last 10 seasons, a feat accomplished by no other NBA player. So no matter which team or which players he plays on/with, there's no doubting the fact that he is the focal point of the team's play. However, last year was proof that James needed help, superstar help if he was to make a lasting mark on the Finals stage.
In comes former All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, both of whom are returning from injuries they suffered in last year’s playoffs. Both have looked extremely comfortable in Tyron Lue’s new offense and more importantly both have been able to complement each other on the floor when James is taking a breather, that's been a huge positive step as compared to the regular season.
J.R. Smith has got his mojo going, guarding the opponent’s best guard and having the ultimate green light from Coach Lue to shoot long three’s. Iman Shumpert in his small time on the floor has contributed well on defense and has been an integral part of the bench unit, which excels on offense with James being the only starter. Back-up point guard Matthew Dellavadova and veteran forward Richard Jefferson have been other key members of the Cavaliers rotation who have consistently contributed efficiently.
The biggest surprise contributor on the Cavs this post-season has been recent trade pick-up, Channing Frye. He took his time to settle in during the regular season but has been shooting lights out in the post season. In his 15 minutes on the court, he averages 9 points on 62% shooting and an outstanding 57.8% from long range. The spacing he provides the team with his size, really allows Cleveland to play different line-up and take advantages of mismatches.
#5 James dominant once again in the Playoffs
Shooting forms may come and go but James’ efficient positive contribution will always be a constant. Stephen Curry might have been named the league’s first-ever unanimous MVP and rightfully so but when it comes to really being the “MOST VALUABLE PLAYER”, it's still James. Despite all the talent around him, some of them All-Stars, the Cavaliers are just 1-4 in the regular season without him and lose their ferocity as a team.
Although his supporting cast is more healthy and stronger this season, James still carries a heavy load on his shoulders and has been able to produce efficiently, ranking a tied 4th in the league’s Player Efficiency Rankings (PER) with a rating of 27.64. That kind of contribution at his age (31), with the miles on his body, is rare.
This post-season James averages 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 54.6% from the field in 38 minutes on the floor. No other player in the league has those stats playing that number of minutes, which speaks volumes of James’ dedication and work ethic to become greater.
Which team is better? The Warriors or Cavs, whatever the answer, Golden State is going to have its hands full guarding James, especially with his supporting cast all healthy and ready to fire.
Guess the Lakers players!
