Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next year

By Chad Porto

Apr 26, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Moondog walks on the court during a timeout in the third quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Moondog walks on the court during a timeout in the third quarter during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 01: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Danny Green #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 01, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 01: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Danny Green #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 01, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers process has failed

The Philadelphia 76ers finished third in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, and three games better than the Cleveland Cavaliers to close out the 2023 season. They had the MVP of the league in Joel Embiid, a rather controversial move considering his early playoff exit; again. They also have James Harden, an aging veteran who fell off some when the NBA made it illegal for offensive players to throw their legs under the feet of defenders on jump shots. That, and not being able to throw yourself into the body of a defender on purpose to get free throws has really limited Harden.

So it’s not surprising that the team isn’t getting out of the second round. After all those years of tanking, it’s fair to say “Don’t trust the process”. Because the process sucked. Embiid can’t carry this team like a Nikola Jokic and I think Harden knows that. I think Harden is on his way out. Maybe to Houston, but maybe elsewhere.

With the rest of the roster aging pretty hard, outside of Tyrese Maxey, this team isn’t long for contender status. If they lose Harden, they’ll be stuck with Embiid and Tobias Harris. Harris is a good fourth option but not a good second option. His contract is holding them back and that’ll likely be the reason why the 76ers slide in 2023-2024 behind the Cavs.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers