The Cavaliers are, theoretically, a threat to dethrone the Knicks.
They have the most wins in the Eastern Conference over the past two seasons, two Hall of Famers in the backcourt and a young Defensive Player of the Year at power forward.
They have the same record (4-4) today as the Knicks.
But we say a “theoretical” contender because the Cavaliers, across their lineup and until proven otherwise, are playoff chokers. They have James Harden, who might be the NBA’s most prominent postseason sinker of the past 15 years. They have Donovan Mitchell, who has been eliminated and outplayed thrice by Jalen Brunson in playoff series. They have Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who transformed into The Softness Monsters against New York in the playoffs.
