Will The Cavaliers Make The Finals?

By Kyle Jennejohn

The Cleveland Cavaliers, better known as The Cavs, have had problems since the beginning of the season, ranging from player’s personal problems to long losing streaks. In late December, point guard Derrick Rose left the team after sustaining an ankle injury. D’Rose has a deep-rooted history with injuries, having torn his ACL in 2012 and having to take a season off to recover. He is renowned for his injuries, this one pushing him to take leave in order for him to recuperate his thoughts and decide if he would like to continue playing professional basketball. Furthermore, The Cavs All-Star center: Kevin Love, has been accused of faking illnesses which led to his teammates losing trust in him that has caused a lack in chemistry. His performance has decreased with a lack of scoring and rebounding and his defense hasn’t been up to par. In addition to all of this, his recent injury, which is a broken left hand, has left him watching from the sidelines. Also in recent team meetings, sources say that the players have been holding player only meetings where they discuss player performances and lack of chemistry/effort on the court. Furthermore, Lebron has been seen arguing and cursing at the team’s managers which has lead to tension between management and Lebron. The only place the Cavaliers can go from here is even further down in the standings.

In recent news Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder, and Iman Shumpert have been traded to the Jazz and Kings for Rodney Hood and George Hill in a 3-way trade. The fall of the Cavaliers has come out of the blue and all key components of their team are leaving, which puts more pressure on Lebron to carry the team even more than he is now. On top of Derrick Rose leaving, Dwyane Wade, a new addition to the team this season, will be leaving mid season and heading back to the Miami Heat in trade for a protected second round pick. Objectively, Dwyane Wade should have been traded for, at the very least, a first round pick due to his long lasting friendship with Lebron, and chemistry which the Cavaliers desperately need at this point in the season. In addition to these trades, Isaiah Thomas (also a new addition to the team), who was traded to the Cavs for Kyrie Irving, has been traded for the second time this season. Isaiah Thomas, along with Channing Frye, have been traded to the Lakers for Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson.

With the Cavaliers trading away crucial elements of their team their rank of third in the eastern conference will drastically drop due to lack of chemistry with new players. With the Cavaliers out of the picture, this brings a rise of new teams that can have a chance to make it to the finals such as the Celtics or the Raptors. With Demar DeRozan as the leading scorer for the Raptors, who is an exceptional finisher in the paint, and Kyle Lowry at his side who can finish outside the line and inside, the Raptors are guaranteed a playoff position over the Cavaliers. Also, the Celtics leading scorer: Kyrie Irving who is an all around player that is deadly in the paint and a phenomenal shooter can carry the Celtics to the finals where they can meet either the Warrior or the Rockets who are dominating the western conference. This leaves the Cavs in the dust and they definitely will not win another ring this season.

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