With the NBA set to start its season on December 25^th we will be going team by team from worst to first and preview the new upcoming season for them.  Today we continue with the Cleveland Cavaliers as they continue to rebuild from the loss of Lebron James.  With free agency set to start December 9^th and the likely possibility of an amnesty clause the available players will change but the potential outlook for most of the bottom teams won’t change because there is no franchise changing player in free agency this year.  With all that being said let’s get started and let’s get excited!  The NBA is back!

Cleveland Cavaliers

Head Coach: Byron Scott

Tentative Starting Line-up:

PG:  Kyrie Irving
SG:  Christian Eyenga
SF:  Omri Casspi
PF:  Tristan Thompson
C:  Anderson Verajao

Team Analysis: 

The Cavs will be starting two rookies as they continue to rebuild after the departure of Lebron James.    They will most likely amnesty Baron Davis and his huge contract and simply let Irving go at it from the beginning.  While this team will most likely look to pick up a shooting guard in free agency I don’t see anyone in the market that will significantly improve the roster.  I expect Byron Scott to be a good coach for the young point guard, similar to how he helped groom Chris Paul for the Hornets.

High/Low Expectations: 

Despite the Cavs having two top 5 picks, I fully expect them to be in the top 5 of next year’s NBA draft.  Although he is the number one pick, Kyrie Irving will not provide nearly enough of impact expected from someone selected that high.  The only team in recent memory to have the number one pick and make the playoffs was the Chicago Bulls after selecting Derrick Rose.  Unlike that Bulls team however, this Cavs team didn’t just miss out on making the playoffs last year and Kyrie Irving is not nearly as talented as last year’s MVP.  At best I see this team competing for the second worst team in the East, and at worst I could see them being the worst team in the League.  This is a very inexperienced and young team, being led by a guy who barely played twenty games at Duke.   

Season Outlook: 

It is going to be another long season for Cavs fans with the one bright spot being the potential of getting Anthony Davis in next year’s draft.  While I think Irving will be good, Clevelanders shouldn’t expect a franchise changing superstar because that is not who Kyrie is or will be.