Today we are starting NBA 2018-19 previews with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Let’s get into it.
2017-18 Review
Record:50-32
Playoffs Result:Lost to GSW in Finals,4-0
Statistical Leaders (per game) (RG=Regular Season) (PS=Postseason)
Points:LeBron James (27.5 RG) (34 PS)
Rebounds:Kevin Love (9.3 RG) (10.2 PS)
Assists:LeBron James (9.1 RG) (9 PS)
Steals:LeBron James (1.4 RG) (1.4 PS)
Blocks:LeBron James (0.9 RG) (1 PS)
Key 2018 Offseason Transactions
LeBron James leaves for Los Angeles Lakers.
Sam Dekker traded from Los Angeles Clippers.
David Nwaba signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Channing Frye signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Projected Rotation
Point Guard
Starter:Collin Sexton
Sexton should fill the same ball usage as LeBron did but needs to develop a better shot.Expect a fourteen point,six rebound,and five assist per game season to open up his NBA career for Sexton.Projected stats per game:14.6 PPG,6.2 RPG,5.6 APG
2.George Hill
3.Isaiah Taylor
Shooting Guard
Starter:JR Smith
Despite having a bad postseason last year,I expect Smith to be focused,and someone who should be a better scorer and more important to the offense now that LeBron is gone.Expect a fifteen point,seven rebound,and three assist per game season out of JR Smith.Projected stats per game:15.4 PPG,7.4 RPG,3.2 APG
2.Jordan Clarkson
3.David Nwaba
Small Forward
Starter:Rodney Hood
While Hood could definitley play shooting guard,I see him fitting at small forward better.While he’s still young,it’s a make or break year for Hood in his first full year in Cleveland.I expect Rodney to shoot forty-five percent from three and average fifteen points,five rebounds,and four assists.Projected stats per game:15.3 PPG,5.8 RPG,4.7 APG
2.Cedi Osman
3.Kyle Korver
Power Forward
Starter:Kevin Love
Kevin Love should return as the player he was in Minnesota (26 PPG,12 or 13 RPG) but I think he has to have one year to grab a hold of the team in Cleveland.Ten plus rebounds are expected now that LeBron is gone and twenty-two points per game should be a goal for Love in 2018-19.I’m expecting Love to put up twenty-three points,ten rebounds,and three assists.Projected stats per game:23.4 PPG,10.6 RPG,3.2 APG
2.Larry Nance Jr.
3.Sam Dekker
4.Channing Frye
Center
Starter:Tristan Thompson should also be a guy who should average a double-double or close to one.He is an amazing offensive rebounder,so I expect a thirteen point,ten rebound per game performance out of Thompson in 2018-19.Projected stats per game:13.3 PPG,10.1 RPG,2.2 APG
2.Larry Nance Jr.
3.Ante Zizic
Projected 2018-19 Record:28-54
Why:The Cavs are now ina rebuilding stage but Collin Sexton should have flashes of a star and Kevin Love should go back to be being the double-double machine that he is.
