There was something in the air last night in the Quicken Loans Arena.
To be sure, there was a buzz surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers in the weeks leading up to the season- just like the Browns and Indians, the Cavs made a big splash in the offseason. Roster additions like veteran point guard Jarrett Jack (a key contributor to the Golden State Warriors’ success last year), superiorly athletic number one overall draft pick Anthony Bennett, and perennially injured but incredibly talented center Andrew Bynum gave the Cavs a huge talent upgrade, and new (but old) head coach Mike Brown brings familiarity and plenty of coaching experience to the table as well in his second head coaching stint in Cleveland.
All of this hype leading up to last night, however, was just that: hype. The Cavs were still unproven, and many still were unsure of what to expect. But, what we saw in the season opener against the Brooklyn Nets yesterday was without a doubt a very good sign. This team came out on the floor ready to roll and ready to live up (and potentially exceed) expectations set for it. I got to see the game in person with my dad, and I couldn’t have been more excited about the prospects of this season after the last seconds ticked off the clock. If you hadn’t already heard, the Cavs beat the Nets last night, 98-94, and what a win it was! Considering that the Nets are expected to contend for an NBA championship this year with a new-look roster of their own, highlighted by future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (acquired from the Celtics), this win is a fantastic way for the Cavs to start their season.
Specifically, the play of power forward Tristan Thompson stood out to me. Thompson paced the Cavs with 18 points and 9 rebounds last night, and definitely seems poised for the big season many analysts foresee for him. Over the offseason Tristan made a change in his game, as he now shoots with his right hand, and as a result his shots look much more natural and pure coming out of his hands. He showed the ability to hit jumpers from outside the paint, and he certainly looks as if he will shoot a MUCH higher percentage from the free throw line!! In addition, he can now score with both hands in the paint, showing off left and right-handed jump hooks. Tristan certainly looks like he is ready to break out this year.
Center Anderson Varejao made his presence felt as well. Varejao, returning from injuries that sidelined him for the entire season last year, looked to be in top form last night. “The Wild Thing” was all over the floor, hustling for rebounds (both offensive and defensive), diving for loose balls, constantly moving and getting open on offense, and cashing in on easy buckets. He even knocked down some 10-15 foot jumpers, including a HUGE one that put the Cavs ahead for good in the 4th quarter. All in all, it was great to see him back. His return really bolsters the Cavs’ frontcourt, and he appears to be ready to be a double-double machine once again.
Superstar point guard Kyrie Irving looked like the leader of this team as well. While he may not have lit up the scoreboard (Irving finished with 15 points on the night), Kyrie did add 9 assists and 7 rebounds, and overall looked the part of floor general. And when Irving wasn’t at the helm, Jarrett Jack provided critical scoring punch off the bench, as expected, and also provided key veteran leadership for the younger guys on the team. Jack looked poised and ready to go throughout the game- those are the kinds of qualities that rub off on other players.
In general, this Cavs team seemed completely and utterly different from last year’s version, and not just on account of the new additions. The attitude and demeanor of this team has changed; it is obvious that they have confidence in themselves and expect to win when they step onto the floor. The outlook on the season was already very positive, with many experts projecting a 7 or 8 seed in the playoffs for the Cavs. I might contend that these guys are aiming even higher than that. There’s one thing I know for sure, though- the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the rise.
