5 reasons why you don't write off the Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning their 2017-18 season in perfect fashion. A chance to establish and position themselves as a threat from the East. Kyrie Irving will be in town with his own team, the Boston Celtics, and will be the focal point of the matchup on opening night. The Cavs have a point to prove that they are ready to compete but first, they need to answer the doubters that the loaded team can play together.

Of course, the glue that will keep all the pieces together is the answer. LeBron James sets on a new journey this season with the same goal in front, an NBA championship, but he has to take a tactical approach unlike before.

Keeping these things in mind and facing the fact that the Golden State Warriors are favored to repeat as Champions, we take a look at five reasons why the Cavaliers should not be written off:

#5 Cavs have added depth to roster this offseason

Cleveland Cavaliers v Washington Wizards — The Cavaliers have the deepest bench since James has returned to the franchise in 2014.

Cleveland Cavaliers have added and built a strong roster that comprises a strong bench. The role players should provide much-needed help during the regular season and Playoffs. The strengths and talents are well distributed.

With Tristan Thompson, JR Smith, Kyle Korver, Jeff Green and Jose Calderon playing from the bench, we have a team of 5 starters who can do way more than just filling a role. James always talked about having the comfort of solid players in the second unit to get through the burden and grind of the regular season.

Now, Cavs will have a balanced and healthy team entering the playoffs. If and when Isaiah Thomas does return to the lineup, the team will be ready to play their best game.

#4 Who is going to beat them in the East?

If you are going to state a hypothesis that "Cleveland is not a championship contender" then we need to answer "who is going to dethrone the King in the East ?"

The Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards need to improve a lot before they can win back to back games against the Cavs. Irving might have found a new home in last year's Conference finalist the Celtics but is that team ready to challenge LeBron and Cavs in the East?

Sure, the addition of Gordon Hayward is going to boost their chances. But the key is Boston has lost its identity from their last year's team. They have lost a lot on defense and personnel who know to play the system. They are a project under development and need to see how the offense of their new stars will keep up with demands of defense.

#3 Cavaliers are a team of MVP's

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers — Derrick Rose was named the league MVP in 2011

A championship roster is measured by the success of its players. Kevin Love and Isiah Thomas are NBA All-Stars, Dwayne Wade was a perennial All-Star and Finals MVP, who is still on the top of his craft. Derrick Rose was a former MVP, who is eager to get back to his former self. Last but not least, the team is led by the 4 time MVP, 3 times Finals MVP in LeBron James.

This team is complete and filled with players that have a winning pedigree. When they take the court and learn to play together while enjoying the game of basketball, the fans are in for a treat, similar a Team USA kind of performance.The supreme stars understand their window is short and they are inclined to take what is theirs.

#2 Warriors are the only puzzle to solve

Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves — Former MVP's Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry

Since we have established that Cavaliers are the best in the East, the next puzzle in the game is the Golden State Warriors. The Cavs roster is much more balanced than last year with threats on both ends of the floor. Rose, Jae Crowder, Jeff Green and Thomas will be huge during playoffs. And, LeBron would be with his Championship buddy D-Wade while facing the Warriors this time around.

Cavaliers will have a lot of scoring from the likes of Rose, Korver, and Wade. More importantly, they will be able to match up defensively better with Crowder, Green, and Calderon. It will be a closer matchup than last year with extra pieces to help LeBron. If and when the Cleveland meets the Warriors in the finals, it would be a treat for the NBA fans.

#1 LeBron James is still the best player in the NBA

With all the rumblings and grumblings, we tend to forget LeBron "KING" James is still the best player in the league. Yes, Kevin Durant won the finals MVP and has elevated his game to a higher level but there's more to James than meets the eye. He is much more than an efficient scorer in KD and affects the game in multiple ways with his defense as well as rebounding.

James is an extension of the coach on the floor and does the dirty work at an elite level, so we comfortably forget the true greatness in our midst. He has been consistently spectacular over such a long period of time, that we often take him for granted.