2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers: Why the Cavs Will Exceed Expectations
The prodigal son has returned, and expectations are already sky high in Cleveland. Championships must follow, and sooner rather than later.
Giving up first overall pick Andrew Wiggins in a trade for Kevin Love, along with the free-agent acquisition of LeBron James, signals an obvious win-now mentality in Cleveland. But is it possible that this Cavaliers team could actually exceed its lofty expectations? Several factors, from James' effect on his teammates to the absence of contenders in the Eastern Conference, point to the Cavaliers eclipsing expectations.
LeBron James is the best all-around player on the planet, so it is undeniable that he will make his teammates better no matter who they are. But it just so happens that his teammates will include two NBA All-Stars in Love and Kyrie Irving.
Just how much better will he make them? The biggest difference will be James' ability to find the open man when he draws double-teams. Last season, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were assisted on 40 percent and 79 percent, respectively, of their field goals made. By comparison, Irving and Love, the unquestioned best players on their teams last season, were assisted on 29 percent and 62 percent, respectively.
James doesn't always get the credit he deserves for his passing ability, but his new teammates will surely enjoy the space he will afford them. Look for Irving and Love to improve their shooting percentages as they get more room than ever to operate.
James making his new teammates better may not seem like breaking news, but what about their effect on him? Good three-point shooters have always been the best supporting cast for James, and his new teammates are better than his old in that department. Love and Irving averaged 37.6 percent and 35.8 percent, respectively, from downtown last season, a marked improvement over James' past Big Three members, Wade (28 percent) and Bosh (34 percent).
Wade needed far to much space to operate given that he had James as a teammate. The 32-year-old guard made only 18 three-point field goals last season. 18! I'd guess you could find guys at the YMCA who could make more than 18 threes on a team with James siphoning defenders away from them.
James will also benefit from having two players who can draw double-teams and who also can pass the ball. Love and Irving, who averaged 4.4 and 6.1 assists last season, respectively, are much better passers than almost every player on the Miami Heat's 2013-14 roster. The four highest assist-getters on the Heat last season, outside of James, combined for only 10.9 assists per game. That's only .4 higher than just Love and Irving, and only Wade from that group can command a double-team.
James will surely enjoy hitting some wide-open shots every once in awhile.
In addition to the effects LeBron James and his new teammates will have on each other, there is the rest of the Eastern Conference to think about.
The Indiana Pacers will be without a large chunk of their offensive and defensive clout from last season, thanks to Paul George's injury and the departure of wing Lance Stephenson. These losses do not mean that the Pacers will necessarily miss the playoffs, but without question it diminishes their standing as one of the Eastern Conference's elite teams.
The Heat will be a formidable squad with James' former Big Three teammates being complemented by new additions like Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts. But will they push James and his new Big Three for the top spot in the East? Unlikely. The only true contender to the Cavs appears to be the Chicago Bulls who, barring another injury to Derrick Rose (*knocks on wood*), should have their best roster since Rose arrived.
LeBron has a new twosome that appear to be better fits alongside the planet's best player. This, in addition to James' effect on his new teammates, point to this Cleveland Cavaliers team gelling quicker than the 2010 Miami Heat. Though competition from the Bulls will be stiff, the rest of the East is wide open.
These factors will lead to the 2014-15 Cavs to exceed the expectations that have already been placed somewhere in the stratosphere.
All stats and shot charts from Basketball-Reference.com
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