The terrifying part isn’t the 15-0 start or the depth of this talented roster. It isn’t their ferocious offense under new coach Kenny Atkinson or the evolution of Evan Mobley , who, in his fourth season, is finally turning into everything he was promised to be coming out of college. No, the part that should leave the rest of the league trembling as the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for their much-anticipated NBA Cup showdown with the Boston Celtics is much simpler: If the Cavs’ contention window was an NBA game, they haven’t even pulled off their warmup shirts yet.
Advertisement This team is just getting started. As top contenders adjust to the parity party the new collective-bargaining agreement has thrust upon the league, the Cavaliers have the benefit of arriving fashionably late. Previous champions like the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks were constructed under the old system and are now scrambling to keep their contention windows propped open while conforming to the rules of aprons and more punitive tax penalties.
The Cavs were still growing and maturing in recent seasons as the new CBA was bargained and implemented. Now, perhaps no team other than the Oklahoma City Thunder is as equipped on their cap sheet for what lies ahead as the Cavaliers. The Cavs had the benefit of watching teams like the Phoenix Suns thrash against the restraints of the second apron and struggle to supplement their roster with talented role players, so Cleveland pivoted the other way.
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