Admit it, you never expected the Cavaliers to compile 13 wins by the All-Star break. Heck, you may not have expected them to win 13 games all year.
And you weren’t even insulting them.
After the train wreck of 2010-11, a 13-53 record in this lockout-shortened season would have been perfectly understandable. Especially if someone told you the Cavs’ biggest reason for hope was coming off a major toe injury and played just 11 college games.
Basically, Kyrie Irving would need to play his way into shape in his first NBA season -- without the benefit of a summer league or real training camp.
But Irving was the No. 1 overall pick and has been the Cavs’ leading scorer and most consistent threat. Through 31 games, he’s been everything the organization hoped for and more.
Then there’s Tristan Thompson. He was the fourth overall pick. He hasn’t been as reliable as Irving … but that’s OK. Thompson is a power forward and has been forced to deal with an ankle injury. Nor does he really have any plays run his way.
His role is merely to rebound, throw down some putback dunks and block some shots while developing some real low-post moves.
Thompson is doing all those things on the fly, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s the best of the rookie big man class. Honestly. Name another who’s been better.
But again, Irving and Thompson are in their first NBA season. No one predicted they would perform so well, so soon. Not even Irving and Thompson themselves were sure.
Now on to coach Byron Scott.
His roster includes the two rookies, a second-year small forward in Alonzo Gee, a third-year small forward and first-year Cavalier in Omri Casspi, and a 35-year old power forward in Antawn Jamison whose contract expires at season’s end.
That alone would be plenty to manage.
Throw in the fact veteran forward Anderson Varejao is playing out of position as the starting center (and now injured), and point guard Ramon Sessions would be good enough to start for many teams, yet is coming off the bench … and Scott is beginning to sound like a miracle worker.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Cavs really haven’t possessed a starting shooting guard for much of the season, as Anthony Parker has missed 13 games with a back injury.
So the Cavs have been a mish-mash of youth and veterans and a few guys playing out their contracts. Yet here they are at midseason, a 13-18 record and just a game-and-a-half behind fading Boston for the final playoff spot.
There is a lot to be proud of right there -- regardless of whether or not you’re hoping the Cavs return to the draft lottery and land another top 10 pick. That certainly makes sense. They could certainly use the help and they know it.
But let’s try not to focus too much on the future, or even the past. Nobody believed the present was possible, particularly when you talk about the folks who cover the team for a living. Again, most figured the Cavs would be fortunate to hit double digits in wins for the year. Many are still waiting for The Big Collapse.
Well, guess what? It might not happen. The Cavs might actually just keep doing what they are doing, playing with heart and hustle and figuring out a way to give themselves a chance at the end of games.
That’s not to say this has been a season of dreams.
The Cavs still lose too many home games against opponents they should beat (New Orleans, New Jersey, Golden State). They still aren’t sure what to make of Casspi, center Semih Erden, or backup big man Samardo Samuels.
And they still have some decisions to make on Jamison, Sessions and several others.
But there’s no denying they’re in a better place than many of us projected. There’s no denying the Cavs and their fans can see the horizon.
There is hope now, people. And that alone is reason enough to cheer.
Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
