The Cleveland Cavaliers are heading into the All-Star break doing pretty good for themselves. Sitting comfortably at fourth in the East, the team has a clear shot of getting a higher seed and making it all the way to the Finals. If they do arrive there, though, there’s one man that poses a great threat to them: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP has somehow, someway, found another gear this year. Jokic’s absurd MVP-level campaign drew an honest response from Cavs star Donovan Mitchell (video from Michael Scotto).
Donovan Mitchell on Nikola Jokic for MVP: “I don’t know if you’ve all been watching what Jokic’s been doing. It’s f****** outrageous, to be honest. I don’t know how many people have won it 3 times in a row, but he’s other worldly right now.”
There are only three players to have ever won three back-to-back-to-back MVPs: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird. Many have come close to being the fourth guy in the list (including LeBron James during his first Cavs run). Based on how he’s playing right now, Jokic seems poised to enter this coveted list.
The Cavs don’t exactly have an otherworldly talent like Jokic, but they have a formidable roster that can take any team to their limit. Mitchell and Darius Garland have been balling out for Cleveland this season, with the former earning an All-Star nod. Their frontcourt remains as mobile as ever with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. On paper, they have the tools to win it all.
Before facing Jokic, though, the Cavs will have to run through the gauntlet that is the top four of the East. As long as they keep their fourth seed, Cleveland is guaranteed to face two of the Celtics, Bucks, and Sixers. Those three teams are formidable opponents, each presenting the team with a different problem to solve. Are these young Cavs up to the task?