Who's the biggest threat to the Cavs?

[spikelovetheCelts]

Themselves and Their inexperienced coach.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Amir Johnson (difference-maker), IT (better than Kyrie + Lowry), and Maine (not LSU) Mickey.

[2short]

#1 injury to Lebron
#2 the nba decides to call fouls on even keel

[Rosco917]

Raptors could make it interesting against the Cavs. They need to get more out of their front court. Could grab a few games. In a 7 game series.

The Celtics, will be short that big, long, presents in the middle again. (this lack of a true center, has to end this off season) it's time to reward this team with suitable man in the middle. They still may have enough to steal a game.

If Bosh comes back, and gets back into good condition after his health problems, Miami could steal a few games. In a 7 game series.

Honestly...I just don't think the Cavs are a great team, IMO team chemistry is a problem. I feel there are several teams in the west that can beat them. 

[Celtics4ever]

#1 injury to Lebron
#2 the nba decides to call fouls on even keel

LeBron gets hurt they are a mundane team.  TP

[SHAQATTACK]

Firing the coach, LeBron vacationing , Irving leaked frustration with being in Cleveland ,  having a Rookie head coach ,  Smith just being a klutz .......p

Cleveland is their own worst enemy .......too many demons

[crimson_stallion]

Assuming that Toronto and Boston are a lock at 2 and 3 respectively. What team poses the biggest threat to the Cavs in the 4th seed as a second round matchup? Miami? Atlanta? Pacers? Maybe even an unsuspecting Detroit team in the 8th seed?

I would have to say Miami out of those teams. 

Hassan Whiteside is one of the top rim protectors in the league, so Lebron and Kyrie will have have a hard time getting easy baskets in the paint.  Wade can still have big nights and put a lot of pressure on an opposing defence, and JR Smith is unlikely to be able to do much against him defensively.  Irving and Dragic can both have big nights offensively, and both suck defensively.

Joe Johnson is old, but he's still got the ability to pull out the odd big game - he can force Lebron to play some form of defence. 

If Bosh is on the active list and somewhat healthy, then Miami could be a really tough matchup for the Cavs.

Atlanta would probably be the next hardest matchup I think.

I don't see Indiana or Detroit posing them much of a challenge. 


Chicago might be a dark horse if they make the playoffs.  Cavs don't really have an answer for Gasol (Kevin Love sure as hell can't defend him) and Butler could make things hard for Lebron on both ends of the court.  If Chicago is lucky and Rose is healthy and has a strong series, then he could put a lot of pressure on Kyrie defensively. 

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

If Miami is healthy they can be the best team in the East.

Dragic/Wade/Deng/Bosh/Whiteside with a bench of Johnson/Green/Winslow/Stoudemire is a really talented lineup that has veteran and championship experience.

I don't think they can all be 100% though.

Wade-Dragic has not worked very well for the  Heat. Neither can operate at peak with the other needing the ball so much

[straightouttabahstun]

The Cavs are a big force, but like the Celtics being able to beat any team in the East, the Cavs can lose to ANYONE. They are a prime example that you can have all the talent in the world, but if you can't click then there's going to be some issues. If the C's had one true center and a slightly better version of Jared Sullinger, they could beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. The comradery on that team is a big reason they can win a lot of games and bounce back when they lose some as well.

[manl_lui]

The Cavs are a big force, but like the Celtics being able to beat any team in the East, the Cavs can lose to ANYONE. They are a prime example that you can have all the talent in the world, but if you can't click then there's going to be some issues. If the C's had one true center and a slightly better version of Jared Sullinger, they could beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. The comradery on that team is a big reason they can win a lot of games and bounce back when they lose some as well.

I more or less can side with this. I don't know what can be said about Lebron when he was with the Heat, but I find his CLE team more beatable compare to Miami. Maybe cuz the players. Love and Kyrie being young and probably not as experienced as LeBron, Wade and Bosh was, and add in a hothead like JR.

I like Mosgov but I feel that team is somehow losing their chemistry.

[chilidawg]

Amir Johnson (difference-maker), IT (better than Kyrie + Lowry), and Maine (not LSU) Mickey.

I could almost see IT better Irving, but Lowry?  At least as good offensively and a far better defender.

[CFAN38]

Not a threat this year but Detriot could still make for an interesting series. They have the positional size and athleticism to give the Cavs trouble. I look forward to a ever developing S Johnson facing an aging lebron. At some point in a couple of season that will be a great matchup as Johnson has the Physical Package to really bother James. Very similare to Jae just younger and slightly bigger.

As others have stated the Cs just need a slight talent upgrade in the front court and they can become the clear #2 in the east.

[CroCorvus]

Would love to see first round matchup of the Cavs vs. the Bulls. That would be absolutely awesome. The Bulls would be fresh and healthy enough to take them to six or even seven games and maybe even beat them. There's no doubt that they have the personnel to do that, it's the chemistry of the team that seems to bother them from playing better basketball in long stretches.

[GreenWarrior]

the refs.

the cavs will have them on their side right up until the finals. when the ratings for the NBA is at it's highest and there are more eyes watching the NBA tries to present a fair product and the favoritism is pushed aside.

that's the real reason Lebron's teams have looked pedestrian in the finals.

the truth is there's 2 teams that could compete with the cavs, the Celtics and Toronto. but the NBA won't allow them to beat Lebron.

[KGs Knee]

Toronto and Miami can beat Cleveland, but I don't think either will.  I'd give Miami a slightly better chance, simply because LeBron is Wade's lil' b....  Wade has the mental edge on him.

Miami might not even need Bosh, they've been playing very good without him so far (although he certainly would make it more plausible for Miami to beat Cleveland).  Deng at PF has given the team a new identity, and a much faster paced, free-flowing offense.  Also, Dragic has seemed to take over control of the offense and is the main reason Miami gets so many easy basket lately.  Adding Joe Johnson has really helped their spacing too, he's a credible threat from beyond the arc Miami had lacked previously.

This doesn't even consider Whiteside, who has been coming off the bench and punishing teams.  And who would have seen A'mare's renaissance coming, guess those wine baths are working.