Hoops Wire Live: Cavaliers Way-Too-Early Player Grades

The Cavaliers are 13-0, that much you know. I discuss that and much more on Hoops Wire Live from 330 to Go.

Amazing rhymes aside, the purpose of the latest episode is to hand out a report card for each player. And guess what? The marks are high. No surprise there. Watch on YouTube or directly below.

As you may or may not know, Friday’s home game against the Chicago Bulls (related dribbles) is the Cavaliers’ first in the NBA Cup, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament.

Do we really care about in-season championships? The NBA is trying to convince you that you do. I’m not sure the actual players and coaches do — though there’s prize money at the end. So that always seems to serve as a motivating factor. (Perhaps they should try something similar with the All-Star Game.)

Anyway, I digress. What matters is not only that the Cavs are winning, but how they’re playing. With the exception of a few quarters here and there, things have been sharp and everyone is connected.

And so far, even when things aren’t great, the Cavs have stayed within striking distance. One thing we hear about so-so or below-average teams all the time? “They can’t close games.”

But in this early season, the Cavs have been experts in that department. They don’t always start well. They don’t always have great third quarters (something that drives coach Kenny Atkinson bananas). But they always finish strong.

Through the first 13 games, it’s pretty clear the last part of that sentence was not up for debate. Your Cleveland Cavaliers know how to finish.

For more on that very topic, check out the show above.