Forget the Browns for a moment, let’s talk about a winner for a change. LBJ and the Cavaliers will begin their playoff and potential championship run in just seven days. Big things are expected from Mike Brown’s squad this season and anything less than an Eastern Conference finals appearance may be termed as a disappointment. In any event, we can’t help but be ecstatic over Cavs season finally starting. I think we all have a bitter taste in our mouths over the way last season ended. Ten of ESPN.com’s experts weigh in on how they think the Cavs will finish this season.
Here’s a sample of some various opinions:
Scoop Jackson:
Am I the only Witness? It’s not about LeBron this year, it’s about getting Larry Hughes back. They did everything last year without him — and they still came close. Now watch it really go down.
DIVISION RANK: 1 | CONFERENCE RANK: 1Chad Ford:
With LeBron, the Cavs are contenders. A healthy Hughes will be gravy. Still, with major issues at point guard and no depth in the middle, the Cavs look like they’re a piece or two away from the title.
DIVISION RANK: 2 | CONFERENCE RANK: 3Marc Stein:
The Central is so brutal that the Cavs could win another 50 games and still finish third. They’ll need an MVP season from LeBron — or big improvement from Hughes, Donyell Marshall and D-Jones — to avoid that fate.
DIVISION RANK: 3 | CONFERENCE RANK: 5
Let the season begin! I’m thinking he Cavs will be better this year, but their conference is brutal. Without any major injury though, I see the Cavs finishing 1st in a very close conference.
I think they’ll be better!! Good move keeping the core together & get more familiar with each other & getting good chemistry. I honestly think if the cavs can get the 1 or 2 seed in playoffs they’ll be in good shape. Obviously the road to the NBA finals means we gotta beat the heat in my opinion. Wallace is a nice addition for the bulls but he is a liability late in the game when it comes to free throws. I am pretty pumped to get the season going since the indians & browns suck. BRING ON THE JAMES GANG!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this is going to be one heck of an exciting season. It is possible teams like the Bulls and Pistons could have better records than the Cavs during the season, but there is NO WAY either of those teams beats the Cavs in the playoffs this year with a healthy LeBron. They have no go-to guy. Miami is the only team with a strong chance to beat us in the post-season. My only fear is that because the Heat will be resting Shaq a lot, we could end up playing them in the second round instead of the East Finals. But if the Cavs have the home court and either Dwayne Wade or Shaq is hurting a little bit, LOOKOUT!!!
WHAT!!!,
no way we are third in our conference, sorry ESPN you are on drugs.
If we click, and don’t have serious injuries such as Z stubbing a toe, I think we can compete with the Heat and the Bulls. I think we overachieved last season and hopefully Larry Hughes will earn his keep. Shaq looks less scary each passing year, so D-Wade will have to do it alone. The Nuevo Bulls might be more of a challenge. In any case, I’m soooooooo glad that basketball season is here and that C-town has a winning team.