Resilient Cavaliers ready to defend title
BY STONE LEXINGTON
CAVALIERS BEAT WRITER
The euphoria from winning Cleveland’s first championship in more than 50 years hasn’t subsided in the city. Down 3-1 in the NBA Finals this June, the Cleveland Cavaliers used a historic comeback to win the franchise’s first title, while simultaneously sending the city into a frenzy and alleviating decades of misery.
Since the epic comeback against the Golden State Warriors, Cavs fans have undoubtedly watched Game 7 countless times, possibly reliving Games 3-6 when they feel the need as well. For those born and bred in Northeast Ohio, reliving the monumental moments (LeBron James’ block, Kyrie Irving’s shot in Game 7) from the series will never get old.
Yet, Monday marked the start a new NBA season for the Cavs, as media day signaled that Cleveland is set to begin its defense of its title in less than two weeks. The Cavs kickoff their six-game preseason schedule on Oct. 5, but the lasting effects of last year’s run was the keynote Monday afternoon.
“We got down 3-1,” Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said. “We knew it was going to be tough to fight back, but our team was resilient. They were resilient all last season.”
Around the NBA, media day can often be a quiet affair, usually reserved for teams that aren’t expected to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Such isn’t the case in Cleveland as hoards of media descended to Cleveland Clinic Courts (Cavs practice facility) to preview one of the most star-studded teams in the league.
The man who acquires and assembles the talent that takes the floor in Quicken Loans Arena is Cavs general manager David Griffin, who acknowledged that point guard Mo Williams will not continue his playing career. Williams’ agent notified Griffin of the circumstance Monday morning. J.R. Smith, who continues to negotiate with the Cavs on a new contract, was the only other player who was not present for the day’s events.
Even without Williams, not to mention the departure of Matthew Dellavedova, it’s Lue’s job to mold the talent that Cleveland does have into a championship-caliber crew, which he successfully pulled off in his first year as a head coach a little more than three months ago. After accomplishing what was the biggest moment of most of his players’ careers, Lue said he isn’t worried about his team losing its edge for another run.
“The biggest thing for us going forward is just health-wise,” Lue said. “We gotta stay healthy.”
With immense talent sprinkled throughout the Cavs roster, health will be the most important ingredient to a recipe for a repeat. Had Kevin Love not missed the 2015 NBA Finals and Irving all but one game in the series, an argument can be made that the Cavs would be seeking a three-peat in 2017.
Speaking of Irving, the man who hit “the shot” has had one heckuva past year after becoming a father, winning an NBA title and a gold medal in the Olympics in a span of less than 12 months.
“Man, that was the longest year of my life,” Irving said. “And that’s putting it lightly.”
While the Cavs weren’t favorites to win the NBA title last season, that distinction went to the Warriors, Cleveland wound up as the last team standing atop of the NBA mountain. They’ll attempt to win back-to-back championships under the same circumstances, as the Warriors have reloaded and are once again the favorites to taste champagne next June. As we know, however, the Cavs won’t see themselves as underdogs this season.
“My second year back here with the franchise will go down in history, obviously,” James said. “But for me, it’s a new season…There’s going to be so many more challenges, so many different obstacles that we’ll have to face this year as a ball club.
“We just have to be mentally focused, mentally prepared for it all. I think we will be. It will not be easy; it shouldn’t be.”
POSTED 09/26/2016 16:35
Lake County Sentinel
