5. Greater Depth
Two years ago, the loss of Love and Irving created an impossible situation in the finals for the Cavs that they couldn’t overcome. Last year, those players were back and they won the title. This year, the overall depth available on the Cavs bench is better than last year’s unit.
The addition of Kyle Korver and Deron Williams has strengthened a backcourt that needed key reserves, while veterans like Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson are back to bolster the group. The bench’s dominance in the Toronto series, with Jefferson actually seeing minimal court time, gave a clear indication that the team’s depth is strong.
Next: A Healthy Core
