A lot of people especially Cleveland fans have reason to be really concerned as the NBA gears up into the post season. The Cavaliers have just absorbed a recent thrashing from the San Antonio Spurs. Days earlier, the team has been pummeled by the Washington Wizards and the Denver Nuggets by considerable margins.
What is more troubling is the fact that the Boston Celtics have catch up with LeBron James and Company for the overall supremacy in the East. Judging from these developments, the immediate perception has painted the Cleveland Cavaliers as too weak or too vulnerable to defend their title.
Upon a closer look, however, playoff seeding seems to have no implication on the capability of superstar LeBron James to reach the NBA Finals. It should be noted that the 3-time champion is eyeing a seventh straight finals appearance this year. What is even more astounding is the fact that he has made it to the championship round with a team that has been ranked first only a couple of times.
In Miami, the Heat with LeBron James around has competed for the crown in 2011 and 2013 despite being seeded second. The man many call the King has been in the Finals over the last two seasons with Cleveland struggling to achieve the number one ranking.
Although James has always been a force on the court, the discussion has shifted to the kind of team he has led during those Finals appearances. Observers believe that his Heat squads are more formidable defensively against the recent Cavs teams. With a 114.5 mark, Cleveland has the worst defensive rating in March.
Still, that argument does not jeopardize the Cavs' chances of landing a spot in the Finals. The 2001 LA Lakers, the 1988 Rockets and the 1995 Laker squad have been crowned champions even without a top 10 defensive effort.
What further reinforces the Cavaliers chances is LeBron James stepping up. Even though Cleveland lost the 2015 championship, the King has been phenomenal as he led all players in points, assists, steals, blocks and rebounds. Then last year, he surpassed Michael Jordan as the all-time leader in NBA playoff win shares. If his approach remains over the top, the Ohio-based ball club will be playing once again in June.
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