How strong are the Cavs now?

[Ballerhogger]

I think Milwaukee, Boston and Philly are the only teams that might have a clear advantage over them. I think they will be on par with Miami and can absolutely be a top 4 seed in the East. Brooklyn is also obviously a contender but they are a wildcard with all the drama going on around them.

I really, really like the core of Garland, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen.

Harden on garland or Mitchell will be Intresting. I think Mitchell is going eat out east.

[seren]

It is a great team. They will be contenders this season

[NO-KG-AI]

I’m not 100% sold on it, but I’m super interested. Very explosive backcourt, and if the front court’s length and athleticism can make up for the lack of size there, they could be real dangerous.

I think everyone has this ideal team makeup in their mind with all strengths and no weaknesses, but this is real life, and you have to give up something somewhere.

[Effigy]

I have Milwaukie and Boston over them. But they could be in the next group. And obviously they have a ton of potential with their youth.

[Backcountry]

Top 4 in their division.

[formula 400]

MUWAHAHAHA!!!

[QingJames]

Allen is more than ever the lynchpin in this team. If he’s healthy the whole year, I like them for the 5th seed. But if he goes out, that defense is going to collapse. Garland, Mitchell and LeVert are not stopping anyone on the perimeter, so they have to rely on funneling them into one of the best help defenders in the league (Mobley) and one of the best rim protectors in the league (Allen).

Offense is a straight upgrade. Love what Mitchell brings them on that end. They desperately needed more perimeter creation last year and Mitchell is 3 times the player Sexton is at that.

However, if the Fro goes out I am less sure about their chances. Mobley was not effective at the 5 last year, and they were a bottom 10 defense with Allen out. Unless Mobley has gained a lot of strength he is still going to have problems guarding in the post against strong players.

Overall I think it’s a very promising move. They’re looking like a second round exit right now with room to grow and develop chemistry, given the team is so young.

[TheLand13]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

[Ballerhogger]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

Mitchell is terrible defender at least he was with the jazz.

[QingJames]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

[zeebneeb]

Title contenders on paper. Before the rash of injuries last year, the Cavs looked great. Adding Mitch is a huge boon for them, and they have another year of growth as a unit coming up.

They are one of my picks to make the ECF. They have the size and speed to gaurd anyone, and they have the perfect frontcourt to cover for their now miniscule backcourt.

Any team that takes the Cavs lightly, is going to get smacked right in the mouth. Damn.

[Frank Dux]

Strong enough for LeBron to plan his third stint there.

If i’m Lebron i’d regret that Lakers extension. This Cavs core looks great

[Ballerhogger]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

Correct, the hawks, nets, 76ers love to score, bucks and heat as well. They will be playoff team but defensively their backcourt isn't the best.

[Ballerhogger]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

Correct, the hawks, nets, 76ers love to score, bucks and heat as well. They will be playoff team but defensively their backcourt isn't the best.

[Ballerhogger]

Strong enough for LeBron to plan his third stint there.

If i’m Lebron i’d regret that Lakers extension. This Cavs core looks great

how does salary cap work

[jasonxxx102]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

That’s why you start Okoro and not levert

[QingJames]

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

That’s why you start Okoro and not levert

Okoro brings other problems, namely the fact that he is a nonentity on offense and nobody guards him. I am not sure that meaningfully improves their lineup if you swap LeVert for Okoro. Better defense, much worse offense, and with the lack of shooting of Allen and Mobley, you are ensuring a free double on Garland or Mitchell every time down the court.

I am generally dubious about Okoro’s value and longevity in the league. He strikes me as a Thybulle type player in the sense that analytics makes him look much better and more useful than he actually is. I don’t really see him as playable in the postseason, much like Thybulle.

[TheLand13]

Defensively they worry me little bit but ECF bound seems very possible now. im going get some heat for this but they could beat the nets or 76ers.

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

As I pointed out in another thread, I seriously doubt Levert will be starting at SF, especially now that they have a secondary ball handler to help run the offense. Okoro will most likely be the one starting at that spot, and he's a very good defensive player who has an improving three point shot.

Now does having two 6'1 players hurt the Cavaliers defensively? Sure. But Mitchell is still an upgrade over Sexton in that regard so the results won't be as bad as that was. And not to mention, this significantly improves the Cavaliers offense to the point where I don't even care if it does make our defense worse. It's a great move on Cleveland's part.

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

That’s why you start Okoro and not levert

Okoro brings other problems, namely the fact that he is a nonentity on offense and nobody guards him. I am not sure that meaningfully improves their lineup if you swap LeVert for Okoro. Better defense, much worse offense, and with the lack of shooting of Allen and Mobley, you are ensuring a free double on Garland or Mitchell every time down the court.

I am generally dubious about Okoro’s value and longevity in the league. He strikes me as a Thybulle type player in the sense that analytics makes him look much better and more useful than he actually is. I don’t really see him as playable in the postseason, much like Thybulle.

Okoro was quietly developing into a reliable three and D player as the season was progressing. He had a bad start to the year because he wasn't able to be part of training camp due to injury. It's tough to get an offensive groove going when you experience that. If teams are going to choose not to guard him out at the perimeter, then have fun with that.

And I strongly recommend familiarizing yourself more with Okoro's game if Thybulle is really who you're going to compare him to.

[Ballerhogger]

Why?

For me anyways, Garland - Mitchell - LeVert is just an atrocious defensive backcourt. But like I said in another post, if Allen and Mobley can stay healthy they will erase a lot of those other guys’ deficiencies.

As I pointed out in another thread, I seriously doubt Levert will be starting at SF, especially now that they have a secondary ball handler to help run the offense. Okoro will most likely be the one starting at that spot, and he's a very good defensive player who has an improving three point shot.

Now does having two 6'1 players hurt the Cavaliers defensively? Sure. But Mitchell is still an upgrade over Sexton in that regard so the results won't be as bad as that was. And not to mention, this significantly improves the Cavaliers offense to the point where I don't even care if it does make our defense worse. It's a great move on Cleveland's part.

Nobody saying it was bad move though. Clearly they got better overall.

[dockingsched]

Don’t think Mitchell takes them from non-playoff team to top tier east team. Have them fighting for a mid/lower seed.