Expectations soared the minute LeBron James decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then expectations plummeted amid an uninspiring 19-20 start.
And now?
"They're the team to beat in the East," ESPN analyst Jon Barry said.
He's not alone in that thinking.
Vegas sports books made the Cavaliers 11/5 and 2/1 favorites to win the NBA championship, same odds as the Golden State Warriors, who had 14 more victories.
NBA executives increasingly are impressed and worried about the Cavaliers, and one Eastern Conference executive told USA TODAY Sports the Cavs head into the playoffs as the best team in the league.