Are the Cavs the team to beat following NBA Trade Deadline?
Last week the Cleveland Cavaliers were an underperforming team at best, an old, bad team at worst. Thanks to a wild NBA Trade Deadline, they are now right back in the mix as the favorites in the East.
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Last week the Cleveland Cavaliers were an underperforming team at best, an old, bad team at worst. Thanks to a wild NBA Trade Deadline, they are now right back in the mix as the favorites in the East.
As SiriusXM NBA Radio’s Brendan Haywood put it: “If you have LeBron James playing at a high level, and the guys with him playing hard, that is good enough.”
Touche. Those sentiments were evidenced by the pretty much brand new squad (those details below) putting a beatdown on the Boston Celtics, 121-99, in Boston.
So, besides wanting to win a championship, why were the Cavs so aggressive this trade deadline? Likely, surely, definitely, it has something to do with the front office in Cleveland looking to entice Mr. James to stay put when he hits free agency this offseason. Here are their former GM and current SiriusXM NBA Radio host, David Griffin’s thoughts on the moves:
Where are our manners? In case you missed the madness, here’s a quick breakdown of who’s in and who’s out in Cleveland:
IN
Jordan Clarkson
Larry Nance Jr.
George Hill
Rodney Hood
OUT
Isaiah Thomas
Channing Frye
Derrick Rose
Dwyane Wade
Iman Shumpert
Jae Crowder
As we head into the NBA All-Star weekend, have the Cavs resurged to the top of the East again? Will they be able to challenge the Golden State Warriors should they meet for an unprecedented fourth straight NBA Finals? Only time will tell, but the odds are looking a lot better than they did just over a week ago.
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