From Eastern Conference champions to not even a borderline playoff team, that’s the LeBron James-effect, and it continues to plagues the Cleveland Cavaliers. Do they deserve their most recent disrespect though?
Don’t get me wrong, the Cavs will be far from great.
I’m not delusionally thinking the Cavs will be a top-five Eastern Conference team but projecting them to finish outside the top-ten in the weaker Eastern Conference is a bit much for a team still stacked with veteran leaders and capable playmakers.
After all, Kevin Love does have two MVP-caliber seasons under his belt and will return a much sleeker and developed player than he was half a decade ago.