Star-studded Cavs eyeing another title with James at helm
Before LeBron James sat down for a 45-minute news conference in which he took a few swipes at Kyrie Irving, Donald Trump and temporarily quieted the drumbeat about his future, the superstar succinctly summarized Cleveland’s off-season.
“Long summer,” he said. “Really long summer.”
And really stormy.
It’s hard to recall any team as accomplished as the Cavaliers, three-time defending Eastern Conference champions, enduring anything close to what happened to them after losing to Golden State in the NBA Finals.
The general manager left. Irving asked to be traded. The roster was overhauled, facilitated by a blockbuster trade with Boston and the signings of a former league MVP and future hall of famer. Other than that, it was quiet. But while Cleveland’s core stayed the same, the Cavs look like an entirely different team, perhaps a better one and certainly one capable of winning another title.
The Cavs are new and improved, and following a recent practice, James said he hasn’t quite got used to Cleveland’s influx of talent — Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Isaiah Thomas, Jeff Green and Jose Calderon — now playing with him, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson. “It’s still surreal,” he said. It’s still to be determined if the changes will help Cleveland close the gap on the Warriors. But the Cavs remain the team to beat in the top-heavy East.
When Irving asked Cavs owner Dan Gilbert to be traded so he could get out of James’ shadow, it set in motion a series of events.
Koby Altman took over as general manager for the departed David Griffin in July, then Cleveland signed Rose to a one-year, US$2.1million contract. The Cavs then worked out their monster deal with the Celtics, shipping the disgruntled Irving to their closest conference rival for Thomas, Jae Crowder, centre Ante Zizic and a 2018 first-round pick — an asset they can use to add a piece during the season or get a prospect if James leaves next summer.
James then got personally involved and did some high-pressure recruiting to bring in Wade, his close friend, former Miami running mate and a player who has always brought out the best in him.
The all-stars have aligned in Cleveland, where a powerhouse has grown stronger.
Nothing is certain, but James, perhaps unburdened with Irving no longer around, isn’t worried about personality clashes getting in the way of goals.
“When guys signed here and wanted to come here, we all know what we’re here for,” said James, who will attempt to get to his eighth straight Finals. “So, there’s no ego. The only ego is to bring your game, which these guys know how to do. We all have a common goal, so none of that other stuff matters.” AGENT OF CHANGE? James can opt out of his contract following the season, and Cleveland fans are already on edge. The 32-year-old said his intentions to finish his career at home haven’t changed, but that won’t stop unrestrained speculation and rumours about him leaving for Los Angeles or elsewhere.
ON POINT: Thomas is beginning the season sidelined by a back injury that prematurely ended his 2016 post-season, but the all-star guard, who averaged 28 points for the Boston Celtics last season, has made significant progress and is expected to be playing in games by the end of December.