3 Cleveland Cavaliers who need to step up in the playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a few guys who are in desperate need of stepping up in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are playoff bound for the first time without LeBron James since 1998. Not only that, but they’re doing with a Most Valuable Player candidate in Donovan Mitchell, a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Evan Mobley, and a Coach of the Year candidate in J.B. Bickerstaff.

Not only that, but the Cavs’ defense is among the best if not the best in the league. And while their points-per-game isn’t great, their efficiency is. This is an elite-level team, and while they have their issues; a lack of reliable bench scorers being one and arguably the biggest, they are ready to compete now.

That said, they have some players who need to step up in the playoffs, and we’ve targeted the three on the team who are most in need of balling out.

Caris LeVert

Since the start of March, Caris LeVert has been playing very well. He’s found a grove in the offense that has evaded him all year. He’s not a huge scorer but his versatility has given him a much-needed role off the bench. He’s a key contributor thanks in part due to the, at times, limited offensive production from the likes of Dean Wade and Ricky Rubio.

The problem for LeVert is that he’s always been rather streaky as a player. Stretches like this aren’t unheard of from him. He did look like an All-Star caliber player in the past, but it’s keeping that level of production and rate of efficiency that has plagued LeVert historically.

This is now his opportunity to prove he can be exactly that type of player for a team, as his contract is up this offseason and someone may want to run the risk of signing him to a rich deal.