Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 Preview

After a gruesome 2013-14 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have reunited with their hometown hero LeBron James and are locked & loaded for a championship run behind the NBA’s most lethal trio of superstars in King James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Get your popcorn ready.

Yesterday, I kicked off CelticsBlog‘s 2014-15 NBA team preview project, beginning with the Chicago Bulls and followed by the Denver Nuggets.

Next up is the NBA’s newest “super team,” the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Here’s a snippet:

X-FACTOR – Team Defense
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Cleveland will have one of the most lethal arsenals of offensive weaponry this season. With three bona fide stars like LeBron, Love and Irving, they’ll have no problem scoring the ball. The question in everyone’s mind regarding their ability to win a title is “Can they come together as a unit and play quality team defense?”

While the Cavs have a lot to prove on the defensive end of the floor, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many better defensive quarterbacks than LeBron James. Anderson Varejao will remind everyone about what he brings to the table, as well, but David Blatt’s entire rotation will need to be in sync in order for Cleveland to win their first championship in franchise history.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
I have never paid much attention to Las Vegas odds but if I were a betting man, I would put my chips on Cleveland winning the Eastern Conference this season. Teams like Chicago, Miami and Washington may have a chance to give them a run for their money, but the Cavaliers are the universal preseason favorite to represent the east in June. There is no such thing as a “sure thing” in professional sports but worst case scenario, the Cavs are at least going to make their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2009.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
1st – Central Division
1st – Eastern Conference

FULL ARTICLE – CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 2014-15 PREVIEW – CELTICSBLOG.COM

Keep your eyes peeled for the Minnesota Timberwolves preview, coming later today.

Chicago Bulls 2014-15 Preview

Chicago Bulls 2014-15 Season Preview – Can Derrick Rose bounce back?

Over the next three weeks, I’ll be posting full 2014-15 previews for all 30 NBA teams over at CelticsBlog.com, where each article includes a breakdown of last season, a recap of the team’s summer, a full depth chart, keys to this season and predicted standings. This morning, the project kicked off with the Chicago Bulls and will be followed up with the Denver Nuggets this afternoon.

Here’s a snippet:

X-FACTOR – Derrick Rose
There is no secret here. The number one key to Chicago advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998 is the health of Derrick Rose. As we’ve already eluded to, the Bulls have been forced to attempt their last three postseason runs with their best player on the sidelines in a suit. If Rose can bounce back and reestablish himself as an All-Star ballplayer, this team is going to be scary, but the only way this group can ever maximize their potential is if Derrick Rose is still Derrick Rose.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2014-15
If you’re a Chicago Bulls fan, you’ve got to be excited about the chance to regain form as a legitimate contender. The general consensus throughout the basketball world is that the Bulls pose the biggest threat to LeBron James and his Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference crown. Even if Rose isn’t quite himself, the Bulls certainly improved their roster over the summer. The additions of Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic significantly upgrades their frontcourt rotation and arsenal of weaponry to complement their elite defensive prowess.

With or without Rose at 100%, the 2014-15 Bulls are going to be one heck of a team that may very well have the best chance of keeping Cleveland out of the Finals. There are no guarantees and anything can happen but barring another catastrophic injury, it is probably safe to peg the Bulls as a top two team in the East.

PREDICTED STANDINGS
2nd – Central Division
2nd – Eastern Conference

FULL ARTICLE — CHICAGO BULLS 2014-15 PREVIEW — CELTICSBLOG.COM

Keep your eyes peeled for the Denver Nuggets team preview, coming later today.