The Cavaliers won’t fall off and end up like the Knicks and Hawks

By Chad Porto | Jan 19, 2022

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Kevin Love #0 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on December 01, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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Nov 7, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio (3) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Cavs aren’t like the Knicks

The Knicks had the 26th best offense in 2020-2021. They then let Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock leave and essentially replaced them with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier in the hopes of improving their offense. Neither man has been a good addition, and that type of move has hindered them more than anything. The drafting and slow development of Obi Toppin, a net-negative on both sides of the court, has also hurt the Knicks as they look for two-way players.

Julius Randle has taken a step back from his MVP-caliber 2020-2021 campaign. That shouldn’t be surprising, as he had bounced around the league for parts of his previous six seasons. Why they thought a guy who was only finding his grove at 26 was a franchise player was anyone’s guess.

The worst part is that RJ Barrett has more than likely already hit his peak in the NBA. He’s not a franchise guy, nor is capable of carrying a team with his scoring. He’d be a third option on a playoff team but that seems to be his ceiling. He’s regressed in year three and is largely a net-negative on both sides of the court. You can say “give him time” all you want but he was taken over by Darius Garland and Tyler Herro, and both men are thriving in 2022. So he doesn’t have the luxury of getting more time, as he was seen as a guy who was among the more polished prospects.

So the Knicks caught lightning in the bottle in 2020-2021 and New York fans really thought they were back. They didn’t improve their offense and while their defense is still pretty top-notch, the fact is this team is lacking scoring depth to the degree needed to win. Their lack of scoring talent is why they’re 22-23 at press time.

Their veteran offensive additions have not helped and their younger prospects could be used as trade bait but none of them really stand out as a top guy worth building around.

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