The New Look Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA trade deadline is in the rear view mirror and no other team made more of a splash than the Cleveland Cavaliers this year. They practically replaced their entire roster in attempts to get younger, more efficient and more athletic. They successfully managed to get a few young guys who turn Cleveland from the most disappointing and disgruntled franchise in the league to the team most likely coming out of the Eastern Conference this season. One game into crafting the Cavs revamped roster and it looks like the reward for trading all those players was bigger than the risks.
LeBron James is all smiles as the Cavs demolish the Boston Celtics 121-99. Photo slamonline.com
With no knowledge of the Cavaliers playbook, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and George Hill were able to hit the ground running and blow out the Boston Celtics, who many said were the front runners for coming out of the Eastern Conference this season. Against the Celtics, Hood shot 6-11 from the field and chipped in 15 points in 18 minutes. Jordan Clarkson, who I believe was the most important pickup for the Cavs, shot 7-11 from the field and 3-4 from the arc for 17 points in 23 minutes. Those two guys alone will play a huge part in the success of this team moving forward, especially in the post season.
Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. join the Cleveland Cavs mid-season and get ready for a post season run for a title. Photo nba.com
This looks like an old school team where there is one superstar surrounded by a cast of role players. LeBron is a leader to these young guys, and appears to be enjoying himself with this new squad. The test for this team will be how they react to a few losses and watching how they bounce back from adversity. This will be something that Lebron needs to embrace and help these young guys navigate the scrutiny that comes with that adversity.
George Hill (L) and Rodney Hood are part of the new look Cavaliers . Photo Cavs.com
The Cavs giving up on Isaiah Thomas just 15 games into his Cavaliers’ career was a risky move for the new Cavaliers GM Koby Altman, especially since the two-time All-Star point guard was supposed fill the huge void that Kyrie Irving left. The move of trading Isaiah had to be made for the benefit of the team. Along with Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye also joins a young Lakers team who are struggling to create their identity in the strong Western Conference. With Frye and Thomas, the Cavaliers sent a first round pick. But they managed to keep the Brooklyn pick, which was key. Both expiring contracts will give the Lakers some wiggle room this summer for free agency. The Cavs also gave up Derrick Rose and Jae Crowder to Utah, sent Wade back to Miami, and Iman Shumpert to Sacramento.
The Cavs revamped their entire roster. The depth chart looks good for them with some good pieces surrounding LeBron James. Photo nba.com
Cavaliers get a chance to recreate their identity. They are now a younger team who can fly up and down the court and hit from the perimeter with snipers accuracy. Lebron James looks happy again. Right before these trades, James looked disenchanted about the franchise and the writing on the wall leading towards him skipping town again for a better situation. Watching Lebron fly off the bench to celebrate a late game Clarkson 3 pointer to put the game out of reach, was a feel good moment for him. It’s interesting how a week ago the Cavs were headed to disaster and now they seemed to have reversed their fortune. The rest of the season is going to be fun to watch. Stay tuned.