The Cleveland Cavaliers have three players representing during All-Star Weekend, and Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley have already secured some hardware after winning the Skills Challenge. The Cavs have shown all season that they have the talent to beat the best in the league, and that’s why they have the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Despite what they’ve been able to accomplish this season, there are still people doubting that they can reach the NBA Finals, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is putting those doubters on notice.
“People are always looking for reasons to downplay the Cavs and downplay the Thunder, they don’t want to respect them,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland.
The Cavs seem like the typical team that has all the pieces they need to contend for a title, but once it gets to the moment for them to show out in the postseason, people think they may fold. Everyone is still looking at the Boston Celtics as the team to beat in the East, and there’s a good case for them to return to the finals.
It shouldn’t be as easy as people think because the Cavs have the talent to match up with them. With the addition of De’Andre Hunter, the Cavs have another wing who can create their own shot and defend on the other end. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been one of the best backcourt pairs in the league this season, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have controlled the paint.
Not only are the starters performing at a high level, but their depth has been impressive as well. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cavs in the finals at the end of the season, but it looks like they’re going to have to keep showing people after the All-Star break that they’re serious.
