via Getty
Cavaliers forward LeBron James in action against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
via Getty
Cavaliers forward LeBron James in action against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a spotty history. While they were perennial contenders in the 90s, all their success in the new millennium is linked with one man. That man is LeBron James, who they drafted with the first overall pick in the 2003 Draft.
LeBron was an instant superstar and took a hapless Cavaliers team to the Finals in 2007. He would leave for Miami, return, and take them to four consecutive Finals. He would also win one of the hardest championships in NBA history by taking down the 73-9 Warriors after being down three games to one.
However, Cleveland is finding their footing once again, this time with Collin Sexton leading the way. He has outclassed the Brooklyn Nets Big Three in consecutive games, matching a record that the Cavs last set with LeBron on the team.
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The last time the Cavaliers beat the Nets in 2 consecutive meetings without LeBron James was Feb. 25 and March 23, 2003.
The Nets have allowed 134 points in the paint over their last 2 games, their most allowed in any 2-game span over the last 25 seasons. pic.twitter.com/NCc4rYcjuE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2021
The Cavs are having a great year. While Kevin Durant was out for this game, the fact that a middling-Cleveland could beat them twice on the trot should be worrying. For Cleveland, the rise of Sexton and improved play by Darius Garland, Cedi Osman, and Andre Drummond has changed their hopes.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Sustainable form or just a hot-streak?
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We are still in the regular season. Many of the big teams do fall to teams considered worse than them. However, the Cavs first spoilt the Big Three debut.
If that wasn’t enough, they beat the Nets comfortably this time with KD not playing. That is just a show of superiority.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 22, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (2) during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
People would take Brooklyn in playoff situations because of how stacked that team is. However, Cleveland has shown that they aren’t just perennial conference bottom-feeders anymore. They are currently the 7th seed with a .500 record.
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The ceiling for this Cavs team is pretty high, and for them to get wins like the two over Brooklyn this early into their current setup is very encouraging. Sexton is developing into a star and the roster constructed around him fits him perfectly. There may be something special happening in Cleveland, and LeBron James isn’t leading it this time.
