The Cleveland Cavaliers are dominating this season, entering the new year with a 29-4 record, easily the best in the NBA. Everyone knows this is the best version of the Cavs since LeBron James was on the franchise, with the Cavs firmly established themselves as contenders by outclassing the Los Angeles Lakers with a 122-110 win last night.
After the win, center Jarrett Allen was asked about the reasons behind the team’s success. He kept it short and simple and espoused the virtues of ‘ethical basketball’.
“We’re just playing Cavs basketball, it’s ethical basketball.”
Leave it to Jarrett Allen to label the Cavs as playing “ethical basketball”
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There is no specific definition for ethical basketball, but it essentially refers to a style in which players focus on the game in its traditional sense without worrying about maximizing analytics by generating easy free throws or playing a one-note style that becomes predictable.
Kenny Atkinson was hailed as an offensive coach during his years with the Brooklyn Nets before he spent a few years under Steve Kerr on the Golden State Warriors. Now that he’s gotten a chance at head coaching again, he has blended everything he’s learned about offense and executed it perfectly on the Cavs.
The Cavs’ four-headed monster is at the core of their success. In the win over the Lakers, Jarrett Allen put up 27 points (12-14 FG), 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Donovan Mitchell had 26 points (8-20 FG), Evan Mobley had 20 points (8-14 FG) and six rebounds, and Darius Garland put up 14 points (5-16 FG) and 14 assists.
Mitchell is averaging 23.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists as the team’s No. 1 option, continuing to compete for the title of best shooting guard in the NBA. Mobley is averaging 18.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in his best offensive season to date, with coach Atkinson transforming the ill-shooting big man into a passing hub who is also improving his shot-making skills.
Allen is averaging 13.7 points and 10.1 rebounds this season as one of the best centers in the NBA. His two-man defense with Mobley allows the Cavs to game-plan against virtually every defense due to their versatility. Garland is averaging 20.5 points and 6.7 assists.
Sticking with this big four without overreacting to last season’s issues has proven to be beneficial. While people were upset about J.B. Bickerstaff getting fired after multiple Playoff appearances and incremental improvements every season, adding Atkinson to the bench has transformed the franchise.
They are the biggest contenders to the Boston Celtics right now, although that will come down to the Playoffs more than either team’s regular season win total.
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