That’s the beauty of being in a position like this.
Here’s the reality.
The Cavs don’t get to pick and choose who to play.
Does it matter that 10 of their 12 wins are against teams under .500?
All-time historic teams double-check to handle their shit against bad teams.
The 2024 Celts went 30-3 against teams under .500.
Factually, the Cavs are currently checking off every box.
That is fact, not opinion.
Offensively, the Cavs own the #1 offense in the NBA.
Defensively, they’re 9th.
In terms of net rating, they’re 3rd.
If this were to happen with say…the Lakers, what do we think the narrative would be?
That they are the best team in basketball right?
There’s simply no disputing facts, as much as there will be some who try.
They can cry about it all they want, but the production is the production.
I am living proof.
All they did was go 23-7 vs the West (best winning percentage in the NBA).
Luckily, this isn’t your problem.
Your focus is on what you’re able to control.
If you’re legit, it doesn’t matter which team from the West you may face.
If you’re a historically dominant team, conferences do not matter.
Opponents do not matter.
Never let anyone make you feel otherwise.
The more you win, nothing will matter without the title.
This is the “hardest” part of your journey.
A deep run into he ECF?
Making the Finals and losing?
Sorry, still not good enough.
Last season, the two options for the Celts were
1.
The biggest choke job in NBA history if they blew the title
2.
One of the most dominant seasons ever if they won the title
There was no in-between.
The more the Cavs win, the more this pressure will build.
My advice would be to embrace it.
It means you’re for real.
Once that happens, that has to become the expectation to the point where anything else is a failure.
Don’t be scared to jump in the pool, trust the facts.
To put it simply, you cannot be a true contender without it.
Does that eventually add up to one of the most dominant season in NBA history?
That’s what we’re eventually going to find out.
