Sometimes the record of a team can be incredibly misleading. The Cleveland Cavaliers' mark of 5-3 thus far in the 2025-26 NBA season does not scream contender. At this same time a year ago, the Cavaliers were a perfect 9-0. Despite that, this year's team is very clearly the superior version.
The 2024-25 Cavaliers started 15-0 before finally dropping their first game of the regular season to the Boston Celtics in November. As we all know, that team finished with an impressive 64-win campaign. As we are also well aware, that team crashed and burned in the postseason.