The Cleveland Cavaliers have been on another level in the 2024-25 season.
Cleveland has sat atop of the Eastern Conference for the entire year.
With the win over the LA Clippers on Sunday, the Cavaliers reached 60 wins on the season. This is the third time in franchise history that Cleveland has achieved this feat, but it is the first time without LeBron James on the roster.
James had spent a total of 11 seasons across two stints in Cleveland. Not only did he become the face of the Cavaliers, but also the face of the entire NBA. In 2016, he led the franchise to its first NBA Championship.
However, it seemed that the success of the Cavs became too reliant on James. On both occasions when James departed, Cleveland would stumble into becoming one of the worst teams in the league.
For the last seven seasons, the Cavaliers have attempted to establish their own identity without James.
In 2022, Cleveland traded for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell quickly rose as one of the league’s young stars with the Utah Jazz.
Now a Cavalier, Mitchell would join a core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The Cavs drafted Garland and Mobley in 2019 and 2021, respectively. They acquired Allen by trade in 2021.
Slowly, but surely, Cleveland was building up its roster that would ensure success down the line.
This new group of Cavaliers was determined to make their own history.
The new-look Cavs made the playoffs as the 4th seed in 2023 and 2024. However, both years ended in disappointment.
In 2023, Cleveland would lose in the first round to the New York Knicks in 5 games. In 2024, they would defeat the Orlando Magic in the first round, but lose to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Questions arose in Cleveland. Two early back to back playoff exits saw the Cavs front office move on from head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Cleveland sought a new direction, one that would result in a deep playoff run.
In the 2024 offseason, the Cavs hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach. Atkinson spent the previous three years as an assistant head coach for the Golden State Warriors. He was also the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.
Cleveland also signed Mitchell to a three-year extension. This ensures that Mitchell stays as the Cavaliers’ franchise player until at least 2027.
The Cavaliers got off to a hot start in the 2024-25 season. They started the season 15-0. This momentum has carried onto the rest of the year.
Atkinson has unlocked the Cavs’ offense as has them playing at a quicker, yet more efficient, pace. Cleveland leads the league in scoring at 122.3 points. Last season, they ranked 20th.
Garland has improved his efficiency as he is averaging 20.6 points on 47.1% shooting. He is also shooting 40.3% from the 3-point line. His playmaking ability has made him the perfect fit alongside Mitchell in the backcourt, as he is averaging 6.7 assists.
Cleveland has also dominated on the defensive end behind Mobley and Allen’s presence and rim protection. They rank 8th in defensive rating.
Mobley’s role in Cleveland’s defense has put him in contention for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He is averaging 18.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
Mitchell’s individual numbers are down from previous seasons, but he has bought into the Cavs’ revamped offense. Despite this, Mitchell still has the ability to take over down the stretch whenever Cleveland needs it.
The playoffs are right around the corner and the Cavaliers are in prime position to make a deep run.
Stay tuned for more NBA stories and follow The Game Haus on Instagram and X!
