Cavaliers: The Biggest Test To Get Back To The NBA Finals Is?

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard

(30) and forward

(40) during the first quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries And Health Are Issues

Kris Grimes

The biggest challenge for the Cleveland Cavaliers getting back to the NBA Finals will be their health. With Shumpert’s latest injury, we could see an opening night roster that’s missing three starters! Irving’s out with his knee, Love’s shoulder is still healing, Shumpert’s out, and even Timofey Mozgov had his knee scoped in the offseason which shouldn’t be overlooked.

The 2015 NBA Finals ended with LeBron James almost averaging a triple double, yet that wasn’t enough to carry a team of walking wounded players to a title. If 2016 is to be any different, it’s going to be on the shoulders of Irving, Love, Shumpert, and Mozgov.

All four players needs to be there in late April-June and injury free if this team expects to return to the NBA Finals let alone win it.

The Eastern Conference will be stronger. The Bulls (if Rose can manage to stay healthy) are always a threat, while the Heat will get Bosh back, and the Pacers will have Paul George healthy. Then there’s Washington, Milwaukee (who get Jabari Parker back), and the Boston Celtics who will be another season stronger and anything but pushovers come playoff time.

So my key to a return to the Finals in 2016 is related to injuries and health. Tristan Thompson will be back, LeBron will do his thing, and bench depth should be improved all around. Depth only gets you so far though. You need your star players, your scorers, and your playmakers out there come April-June.

If it was just Stephen Curry there’s no way the Warriors beat the Cavs.

It took Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green to help Curry carry the load. They were all healthy, and that’s the kind of help LeBron needs if the Cavaliers are going to return to the NBA Finals, and bring home a championship in 2016.

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