2007 NBA Season Preview - Cleveland Cavaliers

A Look at the Upcoming 07-08 Season

Cleveland Cavaliers
'06-'07 Record/Standing: 50-32 (.610); 2^nd in Central Division
'06-'07 Postseason (if applicable): Lost in NBA Finals (4-0 to San Antonio)
Coach (Record): Mike Brown, 3^rd season (100-64)
Key Additions:

PF/C Cedric Simmons (trade; New Orleans)
Key Losses: G Glen Wesley (trade; New Orleans)

When the San Antonio Spurs completed the sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, people pointed at the lack of help that the Cavs had and the vast difference between the talent levels of the two teams was eye-opening to many people around the league. With the new season approaching, the question is whether or not this team has done anything to change that or if the Cavs will be taken out of the mix by some of the improved teams in the conference. LeBron James is still the league's most marketable player and one of the league's best, but can a Cavalier team that basically returns the same core of players show any improvement or take steps forward to get further. Of course, further for the Cavs means a championship in Cleveland.

The questions remain. Has the success begun to creep into the minds of the players of the team? Are they still hungry or are they beginning to get complacent with the success? They cannot allow the latter; especially with teams in the Eastern Conference looking to jump into the discussion and make some noise. Can the Cavs keep their place in the pecking order of the East?

Projected Starting Lineup ('06-'07 Stats)
PG: Eric Snow (82 games, 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.0 apg)
SG: Larry Hughes (70 games, 14.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg)
SF: LeBron James (78 games, 27.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 6.0 apg)
PF: Drew Gooden (80 games, 11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.1 apg)
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (78 games, 11.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)