The NBA generally is a harsh place. Regardless of the Cavs spectacular 32-4 report on the season, many across the league have doubts about their playoff and title possibilities.
The Cavaliers proved they have been legit after taking down OKC on Wednesday night time and snapping their 16-game win streak, while growing their profitable streak to 11 video games.
However the league has doubts.
“Regardless of the proof that means Cleveland is a legit title contender, skepticism stays throughout the league about whether or not it’s ok to interrupt by means of within the playoffs,” Bontemps mentioned.
“Coaches and scouts level to the Cavs’ depth and frenetic tempo — clear strengths within the common season — as potential disadvantages through the postseason.
“‘I believe they’re a very good regular-season workforce, however when the sport slows down and is extra focused, I’ve some issues,’ an assistant coach who confronted Cleveland lately mentioned. ‘Can Donovan [Mitchell] and Darius [Garland] make a bunch of pictures when that occurs? That’ll be the largest query.’”
There may be additionally chatter round Mitchell and Garland as a defensive backcourt.
“Scouts and coaches additionally pointed to the potential defensive limitations of the Mitchell-Garland backcourt, which groups will goal extra constantly throughout a seven-game playoff sequence,” wrote Bontemps. “One frequent reference was to Mitchell’s former workforce, the Utah Jazz, which had a protection constructed round perennial Defensive Participant of the 12 months favourite Rudy Gobert walling off the paint — like [Jarrett] Allen and Mobley do for Cleveland — to make up for that group’s perimeter deficiencies.”
Earlier than the matchup between OKC, Mitchell received candid concerning the Cavs and their ceiling.
“We’re taking part in good basketball,” Mitchell informed ESPN, “however can we be this workforce constantly? Can we be this workforce after we lose two or three in a row? Can we be this workforce within the canine days proper earlier than the All-Star break?
“How lengthy can we maintain? That’s the problem.”
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