The Cleveland Cavaliers are off to a perfect start through the first 11 games of the 2024-25 NBA season. This 13-0 start is the best in franchise history and they are the 15th team in NBA history to achieve at least a 10-0 start.
After the 2023-24 NBA season, the Cavs decided that it was time to make a coaching change, moving on from J.B. Bickerstaff. Coach Bickerstaff did a fantastic job in the development of young players like Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and former Cav Colin Sexton. It was evident though, that he did not have what it takes to coach a team through a deep playoff run. Coming off of a disappointing 4-1 loss in the eastern conference semifinals, the Cavs decided to let go of Bickerstaff. It was time to find a coach that can get the most out of the amount of talent that was on the team and be consistent contenders in the eastern conference.
On June 28, the Cavs hired Kenny Atkinson, who spent the last four years of his coaching career in Golden State and has championship experience. Atkinson has implemented his prior knowledge of the Warrior’s offense this season with a lot of motion and playing through the big men, which has become a trend in the modern NBA.
Donovan Mitchell, a five time all-star and an all-NBA level player was acquired by the Cavs via trade with the Utah Jazz prior to the 2022-23 NBA season. Immediately after the trade, the Cavs were marked as title contenders out of the east, having what was thought out to be one of the best backcourts in the league with Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. His first two years with the Cavs had many ups and downs, but the Cavs always had a disappointing end to the season and after last year, his contract expired. It was up in the air whether Mitchell would want to resign with Cleveland or test free agency. On July 7, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs came to terms to a 3-year, 150 million dollar extension. At that point, it was obvious that the Cavs were going to move on from point guard Darius Garland, but they decided to trust Kenny Atkinson with the two guards. This year, the two are playing very well together in a new offensive system and they are both playing like all-stars. This brilliant move by the Cavs is a big factor to the 13-0 start to the season.
Speaking of Darius Garland, he and other young stud Evan Mobley, have been key pieces to the Cavs’ success in this young season. Garland has been very solid, averaging around 21 points, 7 assists, and 2 rebounds per game. Although these numbers don’t really jump out at you, he is shooting roughly 53% from the field and around 45% from three. He is really standing out this season because of his efficiency and he is working the ball around and not taking bad shots. Mobley is having a career year, averaging about 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. Not only is he getting it done offensively, but he is a force on the defensive end, averaging almost 2 blocks a night. These two are not the only players that are stepping up. Everybody that checks into the game for the Cavs is doing a tremendous job in doing their part and playing their role. These players are the reason for the Cavs historic start.
Catch the Cavs play their first game of the In-season tournament on November 15 vs. the Bulls.
