8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Indiana Pacers Preview Series: The Central Division

By Jonathan Matthes

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 04: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks jumps against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers to start a preseason game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 4, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 04: John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks jumps against Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers to start a preseason game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on October 4, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 10: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 10: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James /

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

2016-17 Record: 51-31, 1st in Central, 2nd in the East

Projected Starters: PG Isaiah Thomas*, SG Dwyane Wade, SF LeBron James, PF Jae Crowder, C Kevin Love. Rotation: Derrick Rose, Tristan Thompson, JR Smith, Channing Frye, Kyle Korver.    Head Coach: Tyronn Lue 78-45 in 3rd year with Cleveland. Average age of Core: 30.7.

I’m going to write this one differently from the rest. Let’s break it down into the bad and the good.

THE BAD

  • 51 wins isn’t all that impressive for a team has spent three years dominating the conference, and looking at this group they’re going to be hard pressed to improve on it. They just didn’t improve collectively. The Cavs had a glaring defect (rim protecting) which went unaddressed. Bless his heart, but Tristan Thompson doesn’t terrify the masses with Mutumboan swats. They’ve doubled down on their small ball, spread it approach which was good enough for 6 wins less than in 2015-16.
  • They’re starting Dwyane Wade over J.R. Smith, which is a mistake. The Cavs were at their best last year when they spread the floor and let LeBron James attack or kick to open marksmen. To do that effectively your complimentary players need to actually hit threes which has never been Wade’s forte. He’s always been a below average 3 point shooter, shooting .123 worse than Smith over the last four seasons. Wade’s also seen his scoring overall fall off. His net rating was well behind Smith’s. Smith ranked 41st among Guards with a +3.3, Wade was 120nd at -2.4.
  • I don’t know how they’re going to guard faster teams. If they run at every chance and then attack the rim on most possessions, Indy and Milwaukee will give the Cavs fits. Washington will slice the Cavalier defense to pieces. Jae Crowder will help, and James is brilliant, but the majority of their roster is composed of subpar defenders. They’ll have to play perfect team defense to make up for their individual defects.

THE GOOD

  • LeBron James.
  • Their spread-the-floor-and-let-LeBron-do-stuff offense is still unstoppable when it’s clicking. The most dangerous offense east of the Sierra Nevadas.
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