Ranking Cleveland Cavaliers' 10 Best Highlights of the 2014-15 Season So Far

Any team that employs LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love is going to provide plenty of highlight plays.

Now over a quarter of the way into the season, James and the rest of the Cavs are beginning to get their chemistry down. After starting the year 5-7, Cleveland has gone 8-2 in their last 10 games.

In the midst of their recent success, and even failures, the Cavaliers have given us plenty of jaw-dropping plays on both ends of the floor. Whether it be a dunk from James, a full-court pass by Love or Irving's fancy work at the basket, we've witnessed an entertaining start from the new-look Cavs.

As is the case with many big plays, not only do we see a culprit or initiator, but someone who catches the wrong end of the play as well. For all intents and purposes, we'll refer to this poor person or group as the victim.

As a friendly warning, expect a heavy dose of Mr. James.

No. 10: Coast to Coast

Date/Opponent: 11/10/14 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

The Culprit: LeBron James

The Victim: John Salmons

Who needs teammates?

On a night where he had a triple-double taken away, James certainty took matters into his own hands in the closing moments of the third quarter.

In less than seven seconds, James went baseline to baseline, carving up the Pelicans defense in the process. John Salmons tries to chase down James after being screened by Tristan Thompson, which proves to be a questionable defensive decision.

Center Omer Asik is too slow on the switch, and forward Ryan Anderson wisely just stays out of the way.

James' slam gave the Cavs a six-point lead, and they would hang on to defeat New Orleans 118-111.

No. 9: Anderson Varejao Casts Spell on Wizards

Date/Opponent: 11/26/14 vs. Washington Wizards

The Culprit: Anderson Varejao

The Victim: Marcin Gortat

Varejao isn't necessarily the first—or 101st—NBA athlete one expects to see on a highlight reel.

That being said, the 32-year-old is sneaky athletic and always active around the basket. He can surprise an audience with the occasional no-look pass or slam that everyone assumed would be a layup.

After making great strides in his mid-range game over the past few years, opponents are forced to guard Varejao away from the basket.

We're so glad they have to, as we get to see plays like this as a result.

No. 8: LeBron Parties Like It's 2003

Date/Opponent: 12/12/14 at New Orleans Pelicans

The Culprit: LeBron James

The Victim: The Rim

James will turn 30 later this month and is likely past his athletic prime.

Just don't tell him that.

While Cleveland hasn't witnessed the same high-flying version of James they had from 2003-10, he can still rise up from time to time.

Love does a great job of corralling the offensive rebound and finding a cutting James. Pelicans center Asik considers trying on the play for about .02 seconds before accepting the inevitable.

James may be getting older, but plays like this remind the league what he's capable of when given the right amount of space.

No. 7: Kevin Love Is Cleveland's Best Quarterback

Date/Opponent: 11/19/14 vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Culprit: Kevin Love and LeBron James

The Victim: Tim Duncan

With Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel struggling across town for the Cleveland Browns, perhaps they could convince Love to come play quarterback for a couple hours on Sundays.

The best outlet passer in the NBA, Love has provided plenty of long touchdown passes to teammates this season, especially James.

What makes this one so special is who Love had to toss it over. Tim Duncan, one of the best defenders in league history, exhibits poor safety skills by getting beat deep.

James collects Love's long pass over Duncan before finishing around Spurs guard and former Cav Danny Green.

Total duration of the play? Just four seconds for two well-earned points.

No. 6: LeBron with the Dish to Marion, Err, Irving

Date/Opponent: 11/29/14 vs. Indiana Pacers

The Culprit: LeBron James to Kyrie Irving

The Victim: Local cameramen

As if the poor, injury-riddled Pacers didn't have enough to worry about, James goes ahead and does something like this.

After drawing the defense's eyes to forward Shawn Marion, James snaps a no-looker straight into Irving's hands for an easy layup.

James has taken on a more active distributor role this season and is up to 7.6 assists per game. If it stands, this total will rank as the second-best of his 12-year career, trailing only the 8.6-assist campaign of 2009-10.

While not one of his more traditional dimes, James shows his excellent court vision—and acting skills—on this assist to Irving.

No. 5: "That Ball Will Never Be the Same"

Date/Opponent: 11/15/14 vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Culprit: LeBron James

The Victim: Kent Bazemore

Already beating up on the Hawks in what would eventually become a 127-94 victory, James did his best to demoralize Atlanta on both ends of the floor.

James' defiance of Bazemore's layup lands several rows deep. At first, it appears James is searching for the new souvenir, but he later offers his respect to its time and service on the court with a salute.

On a night when the Cavs were outblocked by the Hawks 8-2, James' rejection reigned supreme above them all.

Bazemore has since come out of the fetal position and even begun talking, which is a really good sign.

No. 4: Tristan Thompson Finishes the 50-Foot Oop

Date/Opponent: 11/7/14 at Denver Nuggets

The Culprit: Tristan Thompson from LeBron James

The Victim: JaVale McGee

Thompson has been the Cavaliers' go-to guy when they need someone to finish off an alley-oop this season.

According to NBA.com, Thompson is a perfect 10 for 10 on his oops, as his athletic 6'10" frame is perfect for pulling 'em down.

While most connections come from within the three-point line, Thompson and James preferred to think outside the box on this attempt.

McGee doesn't realize what's going on until it's too late, and James collects an assist without even having to cross half court.

No. 3: The Circus Comes to Chicago

Date/Opponent: 10/31/14 at Chicago Bulls

The Culprit: LeBron James

The Victim: Pau Gasol, gravity

Locked in an overtime battle with the division-rival Bulls just two games into the season, James already dipped into his bag of tricks.

While Gasol has been a strong rim protector for Chicago this season with his 1.9 blocks per game, James decided to go right at the grizzled veteran.

Gasol really does all he can, going straight up and not fouling James. Unfortunately, given James' mass and velocity at the time, the 7'0", 250-pound Gasol is simply forced out of the way.

James does a complete 180-degree spin while finishing with the one-handed, behind-the-back flip off the glass.

Just another day at the office for the four-time MVP.

No. 2: Kyrie Takes Bite out of Big Apple

Date/Opponent: 12/4/14 at New York Knicks

The Culprit: Kyrie Irving

The Victim: Iman Shumpert, Amar'e Stoudemire

For whatever reason, the Cavaliers have struggled against the 5-21 Knicks this year.

After dropping the season opener to New York 95-90, Irving wanted to make sure the Cavs had their revenge.

Nursing just a one-point lead late in the fourth, Irving was given the ball and the chance to seal a victory for Cleveland. Despite being matched up against a tight defender in Shumpert, Irving gets by his man before meeting the 6'10" Stoudemire at the rim.

What happens next is a thing of beauty, especially considering Irving uses his left hand. The 22-year-old finished with 37 points and one really, really nice layup to boot.

No. 1: LeBron the Dinosaur Slayer

Date/Opponent: 12/9/14 vs. Toronto Raptors

The Culprit: LeBron James (who else?)

The Victim: Canada and prehistoric turkeys everywhere

The Raptors were running wild for most of their Dec. 9 matchup against the Cavaliers. Cleveland kept chipping the lead away, however, closing the gap and eventually tying the game in the fourth quarter.

With the two Eastern Conference powerhouses trading blows, it was James who delivered the knockout punch.

His clutch three-pointer with 48 seconds to play gave Cleveland the lead, one that they never gave up. It also tied James with Mark Price for first on the franchise's all-time three-pointers list, a record James has since broken.

James' shot sealed the victory for the Cavaliers, extending their winning streak at the time to eight straight games.

Greg Swartz has covered the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bleacher Report since 2010.

All stats provided by Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.