Ten Bold Predictions for the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are still a professional basketball team in the NBA and will still continue operations as scheduled despite the loss of LeBron James to free agency during the off-season.

These next 10 slides will reveal my bold predictions for the Cavaliers in 2010-11. Some of them may be a reach, but that's what makes them bold. 

J.J. Hickson Will Have a Break Out Season

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CLEVELAND - MAY 03: J.J. Hickson #21 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gets in for a dunk past Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 3, 2010 in Clev

Hickson showed a lot of promise during his rookie year, and only built on that potential during his sophomore campaign. This year, his 20 minutes per game will undoubtedly take a dramatic increase. Under the tutelage of veteran Antawn Jamison, Hickson should only get better and become the more complete scorer and rebounder that the team will surly rely on him to be. 

The Cavaliers Will Win At Least 45 Games

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 25: Mo Williams #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers takes a shot in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on February 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

The loss of LeBron James will hurt, but it’s a team game and one player can’t lead a team to the best record in the NBA two seasons in a row by himself. Expect a drop-off, but not a New Jersey Nets incarnate.

Cleveland Will Become More Team Oriented

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CLEVELAND - MAY 10: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives for a shot attempt against Anderson Varejao #17 and Joe Smith #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the 2008 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 10, 2008 at the Quicken Loans

The loss of a 30-point per game scorer means one thing; more points to go around. Look for the Cavs to spread the ball around the floor and show multiple looks to keep teams off balance. 

Antawn Jamison Will Return to Pre-Cavalier Form

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 27: Antawn Jamison #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a first-half three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 27, 2010

In his 11.5 years outside of Cleveland, Jamison averaged over 20 points per game. That total dipped to 15.8 in his 25 games with the Cavaliers last year. With LeBron gone, expect the young team to rely more heavily on Jamison’s ability and leadership. A healthy shoulder can’t hurt, either. 

Cavaliers Will Finish In The Top Six in the East

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10 Nov 2001: Head Coach Byron Scott of the New Jersey Nets looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets edged the Cavaliers 87-84. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/G

I said 45 wins and I’m sticking with it. New head coach Byron Scott is known for getting the best out of his teams, If the Cavs can reach the 45-win plateau a playoff spot is a lock, and it should be good enough for the top six. 

The Cavaliers Will Beat Miami

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot attempt by Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 30, 2008 in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Cavaliers 104-95. NOTE TO USER: User ex

Cavalier fans were not the only ones who felt betrayed when LeBron James packed his bags for Miami, the players were hurt too, Mo Williams so much so that he almost quit basketball. They will be ready to play when the Heat come to town on Dec. 2 and ready to show LeBron that they don’t need him to win. 

The Cavaliers Will Compete with Milwaukee and Chicago for the Central Division

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 27: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against Antawn Jamison #4 and Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans

Chicago and Milwaukee are the favorites in the Central, but with Carlos Boozer again going through injuries and the Bucks fairly injury prone themselves, the division could be wide-open for the taking. 

Cleveland Will Play Small Ball

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CHICAGO - MARCH 06: Ramon Sessions #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 6, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agreees that, by downloading and/or using this Photog

Without LeBron, and without a true center, the Cavs will have to play small ball.

The addition of guard Ramon Sessions combined with Mo Williams and Anthony Parker or Booby Gibson could form a steady group of guards that is a threat beyond the arc. Combine that with a combination of Anderson Varejo, Antawn Jamison, and J.J. Hickson up front and the Cavs might be able to replicate the success of two other teams (the Hawks and the Bulls) who don’t start a player over 6' 11". 

LeBron Will Be Quiet in His Return to Cleveland

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 05: Forward LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat plays against the Detroit Pistons on October 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consent

Mark your calander, Dec. 2 and Mar. 29, the days LeBron returns to Cleveland. No doubt he’ll be greeted by a chourus of boos every time he steps on the floor or touches the ball, but everyone knows LeBron doesn’t like to be hated, so expect James to keep a low profile on and off the court. 

Anderson Varejo Will Cut His Hair

New jerseys, why not a new 'do for the Brazilian forward? It's definitely bold.