After Bucks dismantled, Giannis throws Cavs into heart of title fight

The Cavs are fighting for the NBA title, according to Giannis Antetokounmpo

From October hopes of reaching the play-in game, turning into legit playoff hopes in January, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo sees potentially bigger things on the Cavs horizon: The NBA title.

Antetokounmpo acknowledged the Cavs will be a team to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference after Cleveland’s 115-91 victory over the Bucks at the Rocket Mortgage Field House Jan. 26.

Here’s what Antetokounmpo said following the game, after the Cavs beat the defending NBA champs:

"“This is not the Cleveland we knew over the past few years,” Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “They have a good team and we have to respect them more. They’re a playoff team and are fighting for the title themselves.”"

My, how things have changed in a just a few months. Cavs fans were more than enthusiastic than normal after drafting Evan Mobley, but you’d be considered radical if you had the Cavs making the play-in game.

Now, Most Cavs fans have embraced the notion that this team isn’t going to the lottery and will make the playoffs–perhaps even winning a series or two along the way.

Idea of Cavs winning title still a tad too lofty

There’s a big difference between winning a series and hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, though. The grandmothers of all the players wouldn’t even dare predict that.

But nobody imagined this, either. J.B. Bickerstaff’s crew is 30-19, 1.5 games out of first place in the East. They’re a rugged team committed to defense. You don’t have to be the best defensive team to win the title, but you sure as heck better be better than average.

Currently, the Cavs have the third best defensive rating in the NBA, trailing only Golden State and Phoenix.

And, they can score enough. Darius Garland is an emerging star, while the tall-ball ormula looks like it’ll make an All-Star out of Jarrett Allen. Mobley shouldn’t be far behind his fellow skyscraper.

The idea that Giannis was talking up the Cavs is great, but it’s not uncommon to talk up your opponent to give them a false sense of belief. That said, this Cavs team believes in itself, which is why fans have been drawn back to squad after three dismal seasons.

I won’t go as far to say the Cavs will be playing in June, but it should be one fun ride.