The Cleveland Cavaliers have started the season undefeated going 11-0 so far into the regular season. The Cavaliers have the potential to go into the NBA Cup undefeated if they are to beat the Bulls tonight making them 12-0. In the NBA Cup they play the Boston Celtics for the first time which is where I would have all eyes on this teams contender. I bring this up because, the two best teams I think to take out the Celtics out East are the Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. We saw on opening night how the Knicks game went where they were shot out the gym, (they're to get their rematch all the way in February). I have always thought the CAVS could be a sneaky team to make a long playoff push a similar run to the Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference push. Last season Donovan Mitchell had an impressive run of games when other starters like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland were out. This run has been driven by Mobley handling the ball leading to him being more aggressive and impressive offensive performances from Garland. Mitchell, hasn't hit the gear we all know he can take, his defensive engagement has been really impressive balancing out their backcourt.
A big credit to the success and overall new look of the Cavaliers would go to new head coach Kenny Atkinson. Atkinson coached Jarret Allen and Caris LeVert before he assistant coached the clippers and more associated with the Warriors where he won a championship in the three years he was there. This prior connection has ignited LeVert's play again looking like a true spark plug off the bench. Clearly learning what it takes to win in Golden State starting off his first head coaching job in four years undefeated. It also feels like Atkinson is getting great production from other bench players like Ty Jerome who has also not been shy of the moment getting into a quick offensive rhythm when in the game similar to a Payton Pritchard approach. Good coaches find a way to make all the players that sub in are able get into their role of game even if it's in bursts.
The biggest hurdle not only for the Cavaliers but every team in the Eastern Conference is the Boston Celtics. Like mentioned above I believe the Cavaliers and Knicks matchup the best with the Celtics. The Knicks have the wings to matchup and supposedly the enough in and out offense to match the Celtics. The Cavaliers matchup with mobile bigs that can guard Celtics wings and their elite offensive punch of a backcourt. Both teams theatrically have the best defensive matchups against the Celtics while also having enough fire power to beat them. In Solomon Jones article "How to determine a true contender in the NBA" Jones brings up three factors that determine a true contender: experience, resume and track record. The Celtics are ultimately better in all of these factors however, I don't think the Cavaliers still can't have an impressive season. With the Bucks and 76ers starting off horrible I only see the 76ers bouncing back but even then the Cavaliers should be able to propel themselves in the standings with this start.
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