By james art After losing to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are focused on bigger and better things this year. With head coach Kenny Atkinson at the helm, the Cavs are expected to be much more dynamic on offense. Considering Cleveland has a superstar quartet of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, this group hitting another gear feels absurd. However, outside of their star power and new coach, there are a few questions about this Cavs team heading into this season. If Cleveland can’t answer them, the Cavs’ season could end like it did last year.
Again, it’s worth noting that the Cavs are deadly on both ends of the court thanks to their Core Four. When Mitchell is rolling, he’s a bona fide MVP candidate, and Garland is the perfect Robin to Mitchell’s Batman. Mobley and Allen, meanwhile, do most of the work on defense, but are also solid, consistent contributors on offense.
However, creating a cohesive offense that includes all four of Cleveland’s core players is a complex puzzle. Atkinson is tasked with solving it. Known for his offensive acumen, Atkinson has preached throughout training camp and preseason action about how he plans to handle the Cavs’ offense.
Atkinson’s end game ensures that everyone from the Core Four to the role players are in harmony on the court. It’s going to take time for everything to kick in — especially when Cleveland has to shake off bad habits and old trends. But if Atkinson can unlock this team offensively, it’s not too much of a stretch to believe they’ll be the best team in the NBA.
While Atkinson will do his best to maximize what the Cavs have, his methods can do nothing to overcome certain limitations. Unless Mobley becomes a lights-out shooting threat, there’s a finite limit to how long his relationship with Allen will last. The same can be said for Garland and Mitchell if either guard doesn’t click well when playing off the ball.
It may also become clear that the Cavs are missing something as time goes on to maximize the way this team thrives in Atkinson’s offense. Perhaps that calls for a power forward next to Mobley as the team’s permanent center. Or it means finding a pass-first guard who is comfortable playing off the ball. This could finally mean Cleveland will find a permanent small forward option. It’s something that has eluded them since LeBron James left town for the second time.
Related Cleveland Cavaliers newsThe article continues below
Garland and Allen are the most likely to move if the Cavs change direction. If things are tough for Cleveland, it wouldn’t be shocking to see one of them move by the trade deadline. This season could be the last hurray for this iteration of the Cavs — especially if they’re serious about winning championships.
How will the Cavs do this season?
Of course, there are many small fundamental questions surrounding this team. Even more questions will arise as the season progresses. However, if the answers to the two mentioned above are unclear, then things could get dicey for Cleveland.
There is no doubt that the Cavs will be better this season, especially with the signing of Atkinson as their next head coach. But when the dust settles, do the Cavs have enough to beat the defending NBA champion Celtics? Facing Boston in a best-of-seven series still feels like a tall order, no matter who the Celtics face. So Cleveland might not be up to par this season. But it feels like they are close.