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The Cleveland Cavaliers recently added Deron Williams and reportedly Andrew Bogut. Williams will most likely join a bench that, when the Cavs are fully healthy, is stacked. Four guys on the bench could start on a lot of NBA rosters. Kyle Korver, who was picked up at the beginning of the new year, has been scorching hot lately, scoring at least 12 points in the Cavs last 4 games . Iman Shumpert, who will play off the bench when J.R. Smith returns from injury, hasn’t been playing well lately but has great potential to lock-down players on the second unit in the playoffs. Next, you add Deron Williams and he has been a solid guard throughout his entire career. So, you now have three guys that will come off the bench who could start on a lot of NBA teams. If they add Bogut(which it looks like they are), that number would go up to 4. Now the question is, are the Cavs are now the favorites to win it all?
In order to figure that out you need to compare both team’s starting lineups and benches. The starting lineup for the Warriors of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Zaza Pachulia beats the Cavs starting lineup of Kyrie Irving , J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson in almost all statistical categories per 100 possessions.
The stats say a lot, but the Cavs haven’t had that lineup on the court as much as the Warriors’ lineup because of the injuries to both JR and Love, but that doesn’t take away from how well that lineup has been playing for the Warriors.
But, just because the Warriors stats are better doesn’t mean that they have the outright advantage. I view it this way: Steph over Kyrie, Klay over JR, LeBron vs KD is so close, Draymond over Love barely and Thompson over Zaza. So, maybe the Warriors have the advantage in 3 out of 5 positions, but it could flip-flop over a long series.
Now, let’s take a look at the two benches. The Warriors bench is highlighted by two guys; Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. Solid players? Yes. But, the Cavs bench is much better and the addition of Deron Williams give them just another advantage. If the Cavs can add Bogut then they are the new favorites to win the NBA title. Even if they end up skipping on Bogut and adding just Williams, they are still the favorites to win the title.
Deron Williams, Kyle Korver, Derrick Williams, Iman Shumpert, and possibly Andrew Bogut are all dangerous options coming off the bench for an already great Cavs team.
If the Cavs get Love and J.R. back and stay healthy throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs, they will win another NBA title.