Much is being made over how ready the Cavaliers are for another potential postseason run to the NBA Finals, and for good reason. The Cavs have shown questionable slumps and have too often been rightly accused of coasting through the season. Not only that, but surfaced rumors of point guard Kyrie Irving wanting out of Cleveland and his teammates criticizing his style of play.
After beating the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night, Irving set the record straight about the kind of confidence he has in his team, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com:
“Everything surrounding our team, just crazy to think that we’re still in first place, and we’re still the team to beat, honestly,”
“I feel like we’re the team to beat. Honestly it’s open season until we get into the playoffs. I have a lot more confidence than I think anyone realizes in our team and what’s going on in our locker room.”
Footage of Irving’s comments was provided by George Thomas of Ohio.com (at around 1:13):
Irving’s claim holds true if we’re talking about the Eastern Conference, but the team to beat lies in the Bay Area. The Cavs have an enormous target on their backs in the East, which makes them the team to beat in the East. One point in favor of Irving is that any team LeBron James is on can be considered the team to beat.
Aside from simply keeping healthy, Irving has the tallest task and challenge of perhaps any of his teammates. His supplanting effort and leadership to accommodate LeBron James is but one factor this team needs to make something special happen. The Cavs are one of a handful of true contenders this season. We know they’re talented enough, but it’s going to take a lot more than just knowing how good they are to get the job done.
