Cleveland's NBA rivals still see the Cavaliers as a weak team unable to handle the mental toughness needed to succeed in the modern league.
The Cleveland Cavaliers stand fifth in the Eastern Conference through seven games, holding onto a 4-3 record.
Much of Cleveland's rocky start can be attributed to the absences of Darius Garland and Max Strus, two starters from last season who have been recovering from surgeries since the offseason. Garland, the Cavs' All-Star point guard, is nearing a return from a turf toe surgery but has yet to make his season debut.