After another disappointing playoff exit this past spring, the Cleveland Cavaliers begin a new season with championship aspirations and NBA legend LeBron James believes the pressure is officially on
A memorable 64-win season by the Cleveland Cavaliers came to a devastating end in the second round of the playoffs. It marked rhe second consecutive year that the wire and gold fell short in the conference semifinals.
Now, as the franchise gets ready to tip a new season on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks, there is a mounting sense of urgency surrounding a Cavaliers squad that boasts the most expensive roster in the NBA.
In fact, former franchise legend and current Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James believes there's no team facing more pressure to win this season than Cleveland.
"You think about Cleveland, with [Jarrett] Allen and [Evan] Mobley. They have to be able to compliment each other, James began on the latest episode of his podcast Mind the Game, with Steve Nash.
"That ones under a little pressure this year," responded Nash. To which James added, "I think they under the most pressure of any team coming into the season."
James' point is sound, especially considering how wide open the Eastern Conference is at the moment.
The 2024 conference and eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics will be without star wing Jayson Tatum for a good portion of the season, after he ruptured his Achilles during the playoffs.
The Pacers, who were responsible for sending the Cavs packing in the postseason on way to the NBA Finals themselves, face a similar situation with star gaurd Tyrese Haliburton. He tore his Achilles as well and is likely to miss most of the season.
And so, with those two teams taking a bit if back seat for now, the Cavs and New York Knicks are expected to pace the conference this year. It really presents as a major opportunity for the wine and gold to finally take that next step.
It's hard to argue any other team is under as much pressure as the Cavaliers. In truth, they only has itself to blame for that. It simply comes with the territory after dominating through the regular season the way they did.
Now it's up to them to not let it consume them, and and finally push through when it matters most: in the playoffs.