The NBA is usually a harsh place. Regardless of the Cavs spectacular 32-4 file on the season, many across the league have doubts about their playoff and title probabilities.
The Cavaliers proved they have been legit after taking down OKC on Wednesday evening 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 reliable title contender, skepticism stays throughout the league about whether or not it’s ok to interrupt via within the playoffs,” Bontemps stated.
“Coaches and scouts level to the Cavs’ depth and frenetic tempo — clear strengths within the common season — as potential disadvantages in the course of the postseason.
“‘I believe they’re a very good regular-season group, however when the sport slows down and is extra focused, I’ve some considerations,’ an assistant coach who confronted Cleveland just lately stated. ‘Can Donovan [Mitchell] and Darius [Garland] make a bunch of photographs when that occurs? That’ll be the most important query.’”
There’s 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 collection,” wrote Bontemps. “One frequent reference was to Mitchell’s former group, 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 acquired candid concerning the Cavs and their ceiling.
“We’re enjoying good basketball,” Mitchell informed ESPN, “however can we be this group constantly? Can we be this group after we lose two or three in a row? Can we be this group within the canine days proper earlier than the All-Star break?
“How lengthy can we maintain? That’s the problem.”
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