The Cleveland Cavaliers are going back to the playoffs after 5 years away from the final half of the season. Their last playoff run was in 2018 and saw them go to their 4th consecutive NBA Finals.
The Cavaliers not only ended a 5-year postseason draught but a much bigger draught that has been the defining feature of the modern Cavaliers. This is the first time they’ve made the playoffs without LeBron James since 1997-98, a 25-year draught. Fans couldn’t believe that the franchise has finally shown competence.
Cavs are headed to their first postseason without LeBron since the 1997-98 season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6WzqXjrg1F
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 27, 2023
One fan hoped for a James return to complete their contending core, “Time for him to come back.”
https://twitter.com/papyfaye1/status/1640152478078345217
Another fan remarked on how Donovan Mitchell feels in his first season with the Cavs, “Mitchell to Utah.”
https://twitter.com/eviilflame/status/1640152732794343426
A fan was overjoyed that the team is finally making progress without LeBron on the team, “LeBron came to the league in 2003. This is the first time EVER that the Cavs make the playoffs without him. We were miserable just 3 years ago. Shoutout to everyone for the amazing job. I used to pray for times like this. We gonna #LetEmKnow.”
LeBron came to the league in 2003. This is the first time EVER that the Cavs make the playoffs without him. We were miserable just 3 years ago. Shoutout to everyone for the amazing job. I used to pray for times like this. We gonna #LetEmKnow
— 𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐢 (@papyfaye1) March 27, 2023
Someone shared the roster of the 1997-98 Cavaliers.
Roster from that '97-98 team 😳 pic.twitter.com/lWrjT1Sbmp
— 〽️❗K 🎯 (@mkzzn) March 27, 2023
Fans were happy that the Mitchell trade is already paying off, “Cavs won the trade.”
Cavs won the trade
— fan account (@Asensii20) March 27, 2023
One fan wasn’t happy that LeBron was brought up while discussing this Cavs achievement, “Why do y’all make everything about LeBron?”
why do yall make eveything about lebron
— (8 MORE) 2023 NBA CHAMPS (@ClashRo52050155) March 27, 2023
The time it took for them to make it to the playoffs without LeBron amused one fan, “25 years is crazy.”
25 years is crazy 😭😭
— wonzo🧀 (@WonzoTV) March 27, 2023
Unseating LeBron from the status of greatest Cavalier of all time may be a fool’s task, similar to some players wanting to surpass Michael Jordan on the Bulls.
The new-look Cavaliers led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have shown tremendous potential, given how young the team is with players like Evan Mobley developing into a DPOY-caliber big man and Jarrett Allen, a former All-Star.
Are The Cleveland Cavaliers Ready To Make A Run?
The Eastern Conference has been extremely competitive at the top of the table this season. Everyone has largely assumed the champion will be one of the 3 teams at the top in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Boston. Cleveland is in the mix and likely going to be the 4th seed in the playoffs, looking to unseat one of the top teams in the second round.
They’ll likely go up against the New York Knicks in the first round in a tough 4-5 matchup, but the Cavs are likely to be favored in that matchup. Many would expect their ceiling to be the second round but if certain things fall their way, they could genuinely make a run to the Conference Finals, if not return to the NBA Finals.
It’ll be a tall order, but the team has taken a great first step this season by returning to the playoffs after mortgaging their future in acquiring Mitchell.
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