2012/13 NBA Team Rankings & Previews: #21 Cleveland Cavaliers
#21 - Cleveland Cavaliers
2011/12 Record: 21-45, no playoffs
2012/13 Projected Record: 36-46, no playoffs
Key Additions:
Dion Waiters - Shooting Guard
Tyler Zeller - Center
C.J. Miles - Shooting Guard
Key Departures:
Antawn Jamison - Power Forward
Anthony Parker - Shooting Guard
Ramon Sessions - Point Guard
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Kyrie Irving, Donald Sloan
Shooting Guard: C.J. Miles, Dion Waiters
Small Forward: Alonzo Gee, Omri Casspi
Power Forward: Tristan Thompson, Samardo Samuels
Center: Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller
The X Factor:
Kyrie Irving
Young Mr. Irving had a better than expected freshman campaign in the NBA. It shouldn't be long before he is one of the premier point guards in the NBA. Onward and upwards.
Summary:
Last season didn't erase the name LeBron James completely from Cavs fans minds, but it certainly helped them get over their great betrayal. With an exciting young core in Cleveland, the Cavs could be back among the Eastern Conference elite sooner rather than later.
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#22 - New Orleans Hornets
#23 - Washington Wizards
#24 - Toronto Raptors
#25 - Sacramento Kings
#26 - Phoenix Suns
#27 - Houston Rockets
#28 - Detroit Pistons
#29 - Orlando Magic
#30 - Charlotte Bobcats
7 comments
@HoopsManifesto good stuff Jeff. 36 wins sounds about right. I'm kinda hoping for a few more tho and 8th seed out East
@BowersCLE They are definitely right on the doorstep of the playoffs by my estimation. #8-10 in the East, probably.
That record projection seems about right to me. Making the playoffs all depends on Waiter's smile though. Is it nice enough? He is from Syracuse.......
