"I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home." Says LeBron James.
Perhaps, it won’t be that big of a challenge now, LeBron. Looking at the current Cleveland Cavaliers roster, it is brimming with talent, having three first overall pick, excluding The King in their roster. Those three, are already enough reasons to stay and believe that a championship is upon reach for his hometown.
1. A Formidable Sidekick In Kyrie Irving
The Irving fit is obvious. The one thing LeBron never really had in Miami was a top point guard to facilitate and control the basketball. In fact, he often played as a point forward, and is obviously talented enough to do so.
But with Irving, he'll be able to play off the ball without concern. And in the opposite vein, Irving is the type of point who is very dangerous playing off the ball himself. He averaged 20.8 points and 6.1 assists last year, but more importantly, he is a 37.8 percent shooter from beyond the arc for his career.
2. A Man Ready To Prove Himself, Anthony Bennett
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anthony Bennett may have had the worst rookie year ever for a No. 1 draft pick in 2013-14 as he averaged a measly 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.
Many have already labeled him as bust. But despite his nightmare rookie year, Bennett is only 21 years old and he still has a lot of room to grow. Now that his shoulder injury is healed, fans will finally get to see a 100% Bennett.
He showed up to the Las Vegas Summer League in really good shape. He lost 15 to 20 pounds since the end of last season, he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
New coach David Blatt raved about him (via the Plain Dealer):
"AB has been good since day one since I came. He's really working hard to get himself in shape. He's really, really trying to do a lot of different things on the court to help the team. It's a work in progress but he's doing a great job."
"I came in and Anthony came in with a clean slate. Physically he's really worked hard and I think that's the most important thing is for him to get into shape to be the kind of player he can be. Last year is in the past. We're looking ahead and I really believe and hope that Anthony can be a part of what is ahead."
3. A Worthy Successor In Andrew Wiggins
Yes, he is that good. Although we have not seen him yet on an NBA game, his upside is simply overflowing. Watch this:
Wiggins will certainly benefit from LeBron's effectiveness on the break, we might still get to see half-court alley-oop passes like Dwade to LeBron or vice versa. Wiggins is at his best in transition. One would imagine the two would share quite a few highlight-worthy lobs and dunks.
And LeBron would take a lot of pressure off of Wiggins in the half court, where his game needs a lot of growth. In Cleveland, Wiggins could focus on allowing Irving and LeBron run the show while he focuses on defense, the transition game and getting to the bucket when the ball does cycle his way.
What do you think readers? Is Cleveland the team to beat now? Sound off in the comments section below!
