The Cleveland Cavaliers are a F’n problem!

[Mac4Lyfe]

Yes, it’s early in the season but if the Cavs can finally stay healthy, they are going to be a tough out. New coach Kenny Atkinson is a huge upgrade over Bickerstaff. They are pushing the pace offensively and still very good on defense. The Cavs are built to beat Boston. They might still struggle with physical teams but NY lost their best big.


BTW, they’ve covered every game this season. All blowouts. Beating down the Lakers tonight.

+4000 to win it all is a good play.

[bjb7223]

Yes, it’s early in the season but if the Cavs can finally stay healthy, they are going to be a tough out. New coach Kenny Atkinson is a huge upgrade over Bickerstaff. They are pushing the pace offensively and still very good on defense. The Cavs are built to beat Boston. They might still struggle with physical teams but NY lost their best big.


BTW, they’ve covered every game this season. All blowouts. Beating down the Lakers tonight.

+4000 to win it all is a good play.

They're a problem until Mitchell gets hurt, which will eventually happen.

[Mac4Lyfe]

They're a problem until Mitchell gets hurt, which will eventually happen.

Yes, they have to stay healthy. Bickerstaff was notorious for overusing his starters too many minutes and they all got hurt over the last 3 seasons. This new coach Atkinson gets it. He’s going deep in his bench and lowering starter minutes. Atkinson is a HUGE upgrade for this team. I think he’s the perfect fit for this team.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Hey, Mac. Props on the Cavs.

I'm just starting to get into the season. If I had one early opinion: Get on the OKC train.

They're still the youngest team in the league. Getting Hartenstein is a steal!

Wish I laid the -12 tonite. Holmgren is coming, and Wemby is overrated.

Holmgren spent the off-season EATING to build up his wiry frame. Holmgren is a budding star.

Great team chemistry, that's authentic. Nobody is old enuf to have an inflated ego. Hope SGA stays humble.

I have to believe OKC earns the 1-seed again. This time, they won't be as beatable in the playoffs.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Will keep posting opinions as I observe more. Not sure about these Knicks. Knicks might not be that good.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Another opinion that comes to mind. I like Giannis. But man, his body has some wear.

I understand the athleticism. Just not sure he's built to wear over time. He surely can't play > 70 games anymore.

MILW was banged up in the playoffs. They MIGHT be underrated. But I can't really see them being a contender w/ Lillard.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Will keep posting opinions as I observe more. Not sure about these Knicks. Knicks might not be that good.

I think it’s going to take the Knicks some time to gel but I would have never given up Hartenstein and Divencenzo. Those guys were the heart and soul of that team. KAT can’t be trusted in the playoffs.

OKC looks like a tough out. I think they will lead the West but I’m not sold on them in the playoffs. I don’t think they have enough experience. I’d put Dallas, the Nuggets, and Minny over them when it counts. I still think the Lakers could beat a team like OKC depending on their health. Playoff ball is just different than what they play in the regular season.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Hey, Mac. I respect your NBA opinion. You've given me some good insights.

I thought that way about Okc LAST YEAR. Thought they were a year ahead of schedule.

Two futures that I view as good value:
*Gilg-Alex to win MVP (+420). Luka is the favorite, but I don't like it. Luka = accumulation (not efficiency).
*OKC to earn the 1-seed. No idea about the odds. I just think it's likely. Think they'll be more ready for the playoffs this year. These players genuinely enjoy playing with each other.

[johnnyvegas13]

Not sure which is worse this or Steelers to win sb

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Hey, Mac. I respect your NBA opinion. You've given me some good insights.

I thought that way about Okc LAST YEAR. Thought they were a year ahead of schedule.

Two futures that I view as good value:
*Gilg-Alex to win MVP (+420). Luka is the favorite, but I don't like it. Luka = accumulation (not efficiency).
*OKC to earn the 1-seed. No idea about the odds. I just think it's likely. Think they'll be more ready for the playoffs this year. These players genuinely enjoy playing with each other.

I don't follow the NBA but isn't that the case with most players nowadays just heaving up 3s ad nauseum and shooting a low %?

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I don't follow the NBA but isn't that the case with most players nowadays just heaving up 3s ad nauseum and shooting a low %?

Hi, Jake. Just my opinion, but I watch closely on accumulation vs efficiency.

Many of the NAME players do what you reference. Luka is at the top of the list. Read the posts on this board.

He handles the ball on most possessions. So, the Ast are a given. And he's not afraid to shoot.

DALLAS' young big-men Lively and Gafford are deadly. Mavs were most effective late last year when those two were healthy. They rarely played together, but it was a great Center rotation.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Hey, Mac. I respect your NBA opinion. You've given me some good insights.
I thought that way about Okc LAST YEAR. Thought they were a year ahead of schedule
Two futures that I view as good value:
*Gilg-Alex to win MVP (+420). Luka is the favorite, but I don't like it. Luka = accumulation (not efficiency).
*OKC to earn the 1-seed. No idea about the odds. I just think it's likely. Think they'll be more ready for the playoffs this year. These players genuinely enjoy playing with each other.

I really like OKC getting the 1 seed. +290. Barring injuries which is very real and impossible to cap. I think OKC will take the regular season serious and will be 1st in the West. I like SGA to win MVP. Only hiccup could be Boston in the East. Tatum felt snubbed in the Olympics and will probably play just as hard. If Boston has the overall best record, I could see him getting the nod but I like SGAs odds.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I really like OKC getting the 1 seed. +290. Barring injuries which is very real and impossible to cap. I think OKC will take the regular season serious and will be 1st in the West. I like SGA to win MVP. Only hiccup could be Boston in the East. Tatum felt snubbed in the Olympics and will probably play just as hard. If Boston has the overall best record, I could see him getting the nod but I like SGAs odds.

Good stuff, Mac. I doubt Boston will be threatened in the East. The Boston HC made a great move late in the year. They were up by > 10 games and he rotated the rest days. Really paid off in the Final, b/c Dallas was a tired team.

Tatum is surely a candidate. West is more rugged. If OKC wins the West, then SGA will likely be worthy of the MVP. And remember my longshot! I really think Holmgren is going to take a leap this season!

Thanks for pointing out the OKC +290. Going to give that a long look.

[ThaTopMoron]

I really like OKC getting the 1 seed. +290. Barring injuries which is very real and impossible to cap. I think OKC will take the regular season serious and will be 1st in the West. I like SGA to win MVP. Only hiccup could be Boston in the East. Tatum felt snubbed in the Olympics and will probably play just as hard. If Boston has the overall best record, I could see him getting the nod but I like SGAs odds.

nuggets are alergic to defense now they only try to play some if they are in a close game late... won't bode well for them

plus Jokic said it after winning "job is over" time to go home

he don't care about winning again... we all saw it last season in their final playoff game. he couldn't care less and didn't want the ball.

[Mac4Lyfe]

nuggets are alergic to defense now they only try to play some if they are in a close game late... won't bode well for them

plus Jokic said it after winning "job is over" time to go home

he don't care about winning again... we all saw it last season in their final playoff game. he couldn't care less and didn't want the ball.

I can never count Jokic out. He is a hard cover for every team. The NBA now is all about who’s healthy at the end. It’s almost a crapshoot. Got to manage minutes and use load management.

[Mac4Lyfe]

The Cavs are one of 4 other teams that have started the season 5-0 and averaged 125 PPG. 2023-24 Cs, 84-85 Cs, 66-67 Sixers and the 60-61 Warriors. All 4 of those teams made the NBA Finals.

If the Cavs shock the world, Donovan Mitchell will also be an MVP candidate. He’s currently +10,000 in several books. I might need to throw a few bills on that.

[lakerboy]

Nice looking team but no team with Mitchell is winning anything.

[Git Lo]

Man, I'm just watching the grizzlies beat down the bucks right now. They have the longest active win streak against them and they are just destroying them. Cavs looked good against the lakers up I think 20+ before even half time. They are better than the knicks atm but that might not mean too much. There shouldn't be much standing in their way except the celtics really.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Nice looking team but no team with Mitchell is winning anything.

I just put a little bit on Mitchell MVP, +10000.

can also get him as the NBA cup MVP at +2500. I could see the Cavs wanting to make a statement by winning that meaningless cup.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Nice looking team but no team with Mitchell is winning anything.

Laker - the Cavs can go 12 deep with solid bench players. Mitchell doesn’t have to do everything. Garland looks renewed and Evan Mobley is becoming an aggressive big that can get to the rack. Ty Jerome is going to surprise a lot of folks in the league. He can run the offense as well as Mitchell. They are going to push pace, use the bench and run teams out the gym. Then their defense has multiple guys that can defend multiple positions. High octane offense with one of the best defenses. Look out league. The Cavs are coming.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Man, I'm just watching the grizzlies beat down the bucks right now. They have the longest active win streak against them and they are just destroying them. Cavs looked good against the lakers up I think 20+ before even half time. They are better than the knicks atm but that might not mean too much. There shouldn't be much standing in their way except the celtics really.

Who the hell hired Doc Rivers again? How many times can he fail forward. They blew it getting rid of Holiday. He did so much for that team.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic has a torn right oblique. He’s out 4-6 weeks. The Cavs play Orlando tomorrow. Tough luck for the Magic. Basketball is also about staying healthy.

Teams usually play well the first game a star is out. Let’s see if they step up or rollover for the Cavs…

[IBetYou]

Still not sold on the Cavs personally. But funny what a little momentum can do; they opened their season with a trio of cupcakes then down 13 to the Knicks in NY when Brunson exits with a knee injury, and they have the confidence to comeback.

Agree Atkinson is an upgrade over whingebag Bickerstaff. He understands the importance of shooting. But all their main guys - except for Strus - have generally failed over the course of their careers. Mitchell a success as a diamond in the rough draft pick but disappointing as a lead guy (Utah, Team USA, Cleveland).

[IBetYou]

nuggets are alergic to defense now they only try to play some if they are in a close game late... won't bode well for them

plus Jokic said it after winning "job is over" time to go home

he don't care about winning again... we all saw it last season in their final playoff game. he couldn't care less and didn't want the ball.

That is the most bizarre take I've ever heard. You have one man carrying the team on his back all series and then when he runs out of steam in the 2nd half of a MMA style game 7 - whereby the visitors are daring the refs to call a foul every play - you blame him?! People said similar stuff about James when he was with the Cavs.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

The Cavs are one of 4 other teams that have started the season 5-0 and averaged 125 PPG. 2023-24 Cs, 84-85 Cs, 66-67 Sixers and the 60-61 Warriors. All 4 of those teams made the NBA Finals.

If the Cavs shock the world, Donovan Mitchell will also be an MVP candidate. He’s currently +10,000 in several books. I might need to throw a few bills on that.

Mac, GL to you. Have a great season.

Love your insights. NBA season is long. Like you say, it's about getting healthy to the finish line.

I don't doubt your prospect of the Cavs. I'd offer just one counter. Celtics are going to be so far ahead of the field in the East.

If the Celtics falter, I'd think they'd need at least one starter to get injured. Not improbable, it happens all the time. How hungry will the Celts be this year?

[Git Lo]

Mac, GL to you. Have a great season.

Love your insights. NBA season is long. Like you say, it's about getting healthy to the finish line.

I don't doubt your prospect of the Cavs. I'd offer just one counter. Celtics are going to be so far ahead of the field in the East.

If the Celtics falter, I'd think they'd need at least one starter to get injured. Not improbable, it happens all the time. How hungry will the Celts be this year?

Cs may be in dynasty mode but if they aren't that's probably the only way out anyone has of beating them or a completely healthy philly or like you said an injuried cs team. Teams should be showing up to beat them like they do the lakers but we will see.

[lakerboy]

Laker - the Cavs can go 12 deep with solid bench players. Mitchell doesn’t have to do everything. Garland looks renewed and Evan Mobley is becoming an aggressive big that can get to the rack. Ty Jerome is going to surprise a lot of folks in the league. He can run the offense as well as Mitchell. They are going to push pace, use the bench and run teams out the gym. Then their defense has multiple guys that can defend multiple positions. High octane offense with one of the best defenses. Look out league. The Cavs are coming.

I like the team mac. I'm not saying they are not good. They gave Boston a couple of good games last year in the playoffs and they have been steadily rising. I just don't think you win anything with Mitchell. We will see though because the east isn't that top heavy and they can make noise.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Mac, GL to you. Have a great season.Love your insights. NBA season is long. Like you say, it's about getting healthy to the finish line.I don't doubt your prospect of the Cavs. I'd offer just one counter. Celtics are going to be so far ahead of the field in the East.
If the Celtics falter, I'd think they'd need at least one starter to get injured. Not improbable, it happens all the time. How hungry will the Celts be this year?

Yeah the Celtics are on another level right now. Very few teams can matchup with them. I do think Cleveland is built to challenge them. There’s a lot of really bad teams in the East. The Bucks are broken, Banchero is hurt for weeks in Orlando. The Heat and Butler are ready for a divorce. The 76ers are a MASH unit. The Knicks are not as tough as last year but could grow to be great. Indiana is weird to figure out. The Cavs seem to be the most functional team next to the Cs.

[Mac4Lyfe]

I like the team mac. I'm not saying they are not good. They gave Boston a couple of good games last year in the playoffs and they have been steadily rising. I just don't think you win anything with Mitchell. We will see though because the east isn't that top heavy and they can make noise.

This new coach Atkinson looks like a huge upgrade. He might unlock Mitchell. Plus Mitchell has his best supporting cast.

[Mac4Lyfe]

Cavs win 6 in a row and have covered the spread 6 in a row.

[ThaTopMoron]

That is the most bizarre take I've ever heard. You have one man carrying the team on his back all series and then when he runs out of steam in the 2nd half of a MMA style game 7 - whereby the visitors are daring the refs to call a foul every play - you blame him?! People said similar stuff about James when he was with the Cavs.

another quarter in... Denver gives up 7 3's in 1 quarter to the Wolves

murray has 2 points and is injury prone

the bench stinks

only 2-2 because teams blew it late when ahead and then lost in OT

Denver isn't winning anything unless the entirety of OKC, Dallas, Minny and PHX get injured. They do have Lakers number.

I could see Denver getting in as a 6-8 seed this season

looks like they are already down 11 early 2nd quarter and Wolves are shooting 61% 15/24, 9/14 from deep

they can't play defense anymore or they aren't interested in it

that's what I've noticed so far... alergic to defense just like i stated

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Yeah the Celtics are on another level right now. Very few teams can matchup with them. I do think Cleveland is built to challenge them. There’s a lot of really bad teams in the East. The Bucks are broken, Banchero is hurt for weeks in Orlando. The Heat and Butler are ready for a divorce. The 76ers are a MASH unit. The Knicks are not as tough as last year but could grow to be great. Indiana is weird to figure out. The Cavs seem to be the most functional team next to the Cs.

Mac, I said that you're sharp. I think you're spot-on. Cavs could be the 2-seed.

I will have my eye on Giannis. I can't stand Lillard, he will shoot you out of more games than he'll win. I'm not sure Giannis has another playoff run in him, I'll be watching.

[ThaTopMoron]

that late espn game proves again that late friday nba action on espn is wwe

down 12 4th q.... goes up 10 and is 28-1 to win... t-wolves score final 10 pts of the game and win by 3... right at the line for the game

what were the wolves favored by when nuggets were +160 yesterday

late action WWE nba entertainment

this is why we stick to early night games and back teams like the Cavs at home v a magic team missing it's best player... can't rig that one.

[IBetYou]

another quarter in... Denver gives up 7 3's in 1 quarter to the Wolves

murray has 2 points and is injury prone

the bench stinks

only 2-2 because teams blew it late when ahead and then lost in OT

Denver isn't winning anything unless the entirety of OKC, Dallas, Minny and PHX get injured. They do have Lakers number.

I could see Denver getting in as a 6-8 seed this season

looks like they are already down 11 early 2nd quarter and Wolves are shooting 61% 15/24, 9/14 from deep

they can't play defense anymore or they aren't interested in it

that's what I've noticed so far... alergic to defense just like i stated

Exactly right, so why blame Jokic? BAD team. Poor management.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Mac, telling you, this OKC is flying:

1) Still playing w/out Hartenstein and the other JWill.

2) They are crushing teams.

3) I've watched a few Holmgren interviews. I swear he's thicker this year. Spent all off-season eating.

4) So young. I see very little ego on this team.

5) I think the team chemistry is real. They all say the right thing in interviews.