Defense wins championships. It is one of the oldest sayings in sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers have had one of the best defenses in the NBA in recent seasons, but they still didn’t get as far in the postseason as they would have liked.
Kenny Atkinson was brought in to take the Cavs’ core to the next level. Specifically, that jump from playoff team to true Finals contender would come on the offensive end of the floor.
Through the first eight games of the season, the Cavs have the second-best offensive rating in the league (121.0), behind the Boston Celtics (121.8) by a narrow margin.
However, Cleveland’s offense wasn’t the only factor that contributed to the perfect start. The team has also defended stoutly, especially on the perimeter, leading to more chances and more points for the Wine and Gold.
The Cavs are currently lead the NBA with 23.5 points fewer turnovers per game. They are also tied for second in the league with 9.9 steals per game.
This was a pivotal point in the Cavs’ most recent win over the Milwaukee Bucksin which Cleveland scored 24 points on Milwaukee miscues.
Looking back on the last dew seasons and where the team is now, it’s a little surprising to see Wine and Gold leading the way in this category.
Cleveland consistently had one of the best defenses in the NBA under former coach JB Bickerstaff. His defensive scheme was certainly one of his strengths, and it showed on the floor.
With the Cavs clearly emphasizing more offense under Atkinson, there were certainly questions about whether this group would take a step back on defense as they tried to push the pace and increase their scoring possessions.
November 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates with forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory credits: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
However, the Wine and Gold remain a defensive powerhouse through the first two weeks of the season and have some incredible natural defenders in Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Isaac Okoro.
The offense will continue to play a crucial role in Cleveland’s overall ceiling, but their defense and creating these easy scoring opportunities for themselves will also be key in a deep playoff run.