Do not look now, but the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing lights-out basketball these days. Seven playoff games equals seven Cleveland Cavaliers' wins, and a loss does not seem to be coming anytime soon.
The Cavaliers held a commanding 3-0 lead over the Atlanta Hawks going into Game 4 today. The Cavaliers were seeking a sweep and got it.
Many things happened for the Cleveland Cavaliers during this playoff run. The Cavs have even broken a record for the three-point field goals made (courtesy of Bleacher Report) with 25. When people hear that an NBA team broke a record for most three-pointers in a game, they immediately think the Golden State Warriors, not the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs looks like a team on a mission in the NBA Playoffs thus far. Quietly, the question that begs being asked is, who can stop the Cleveland Cavaliers? So far, not the Detroit Pistons and not the Atlanta Hawks.
His subtweeting, as described by Deadspin as veiled words for his teammates, became the talk of the NBA a couple of months ago. Everyone believed that James was calling out players for their lack of effort and willingness to do the necessary things to contend for an NBA title.
Most people felt that the Cavaliers would have a few struggling moments against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. That was not the case, as the Cavs swept them in four games. The Pistons were expected to at least win a game over the Cavaliers.
Those are statistics fans would be accustomed to the Warriors, or the San Antonio Spurs having. When did the Cavaliers become an offensive juggernaut? One should look at the trade deadline acquisition of stretch-four Channing Frye.
It took Channing Frye a little while to get comfortable with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now that Frye is acclimated with the team, you can see the subtle differences. Those differences do not usually land in the box scores. Although, Channing Frye did average 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in the regular season.
Frye's impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers is with allowing the team to play with a certain pace, a flowing offense. He is doing some of the dirty work, such as setting screens, working himself free for three-point shots in the corner and overall spacing. Being a front court player who can spread the floor, creates opportunities for any player, LeBron James or Kyrie Irving, in particular, to get layups in the paint. If an easy shot is not immediately available, the ball is passed to a shooter. Cleveland is second in the postseason in assists, averaging 24 per contest. Channing Frye's presence allows this to happen.
As good as the offense has clicked, the Cleveland Cavaliers' defense has done a great job of taking advantage of opponent's miscues. In the playoffs, the Cavaliers are limiting teams to 77.6 shots a game.
The one flaw that the Cavaliers have is the inability to force turnovers. If they keep scoring more than 108 points, though, that will not matter.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have now advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. It is the opposition the Cavaliers face when they will see somewhat of a challenge. It is all just a precursor until the NBA Finals, when the real fun begins.
So far, so good for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
[Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]