The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
CAVS OPTIMISTIC
Team voices optimistic notes for upcoming season even without James
The messages came through loud and clear on Sept. 24 as the Cavaliers tipped off the 2018-19 season with Media Day at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Yes, the franchise is going to face new competitive challenges after superstar forward LeBron James left after following spectacular seasons to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.
No, the Cavs players aren’t buying the notion they’ve automatically been relegated to alsoran status in the NBA because of James’ departure.
During his second stint with the Cavs, from July 2014 to July 2018, James led the Cavs to four straight Eastern Division titles, four straight appearances in the NBA Finals and the 2016 NBA title.
“It’s a new challenge and a new page.”
— Cavs coach Tyronn Lue
Veteran center Tristan Thompson was asked for his reaction to the experts setting extremely limited expectations for the LeBron-less Cavs.
“They’ve been writing us off since, probably, we all came together in 2014,” Thompson said. “They wrote us off against Chicago in the (2015) playoffs when (Kevin Love) got hurt. They wrote us off against Atlanta (in the 2015 playoffs) when (Kyrie Irving) and (Love) were out.”
Thompson continued to cite instances over the previous four seasons the Cavs were counted out but always bounced back.
“We’re used to that,” Thompson said. “”Me, Kev (Love) and J.R. (Smith), we’ve been through this whole journey together. You guys enjoy writing us off and I think we take the challenge to prove people wrong.
“The owner and front office takes the challenge to prove people wrong, that’s what makes this organization special and that’s what grows a culture,” he added. “Always being ready to stand up and fight. It kind of represents the city of Cleveland. Always underdogs, always being written off, always proving people wrong.
“They’ve been writing us off for a while, and we keep making special magic.”
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue paid tribute to James and then said he’s ready for shaping the team around different leaders.
“It’s a new challenge and a new page,” Lue said.
In the wake of James’ electing to leave, Lue stated the Cavs will not strip down the roster and endure a series of losing seasons to rebuild through the draft.
“No tanking,” Lue said. “We want to compete for the playoffs.”
Armed with a four-year, $120 million contract extension, All-Star centerforward Kevin Love will be asked to carry a heavier load as the Cavs seek to remain a playoff contender.
“I keep talking about building something,” Love said. “I don’t know what overachieving would be for us. We’ll be a team that will surprise a lot of people.”
Another of the team’s returning veterans, sharpshooting guard Kyle Korver, thrived in his on-court pairing with James. He elected to return this season, knowing the team will change markedly without the fourtime Most Valuable Player.
“We’re going to evolve. We’re going to play a different style of basketball,” Korver said. “If we don’t, we probably won’t be that good. It’s a great opportunity for all of us, top to bottom in this organization, to create a new path, to find a new style.”
Practice begins Sept. 25. The Cavs will be in Boston on Oct. 2 to play their preseason opener against the Celtics. The regular-season opener is Oct. 17 on the road against the Toronto Raptors.