Why are OKC/BOS/Cavs so good?

[StrongLurk]

These rosters being so good together really makes the modern era (2021-now) fascinating.

So much of NBA history is filled with elite teams that have absolutely top-heavy talent leading them. Yet we have the Cavs, a team without a top 10 player, currently 53-10...

OKC does have Shai, but they also have multiple role players with 40-point games and triple doubles. Bos has Tatum, a fringe top 10 player, and Jaylen, a fringe top 20 player, but they just had a game where two role players BOTH dropped 40-point games in the same game.

Modern era ball really has highlighted just how important team depth, outside shooting, and analytics/coaching is. I legit think the current versions of OKC/Cleveland could beat the 96-98 Bulls just because the brand of ball and team talent now is much more maximized.

When was the last team we had historically elite teams like OKC/BOS/Cavs and those teams WEREN'T lead by top-heavy talent?

[Neal Romer]

Lets wait until the postseason to confirm OKC and Cleveland as being "so good" compared to everyone else.

[FKAri]

Boston's good because of roster construction. I said it last year early on that that's one of the best rosters I've seen in years and should be the template to build a modern roster. And it seems Cavs and OKC are trying to do it but have worse 3D guys.

Boston has a couple weaknesses but none of the teams they went up against last year were going to attack those. And the only series where I wouldn't have them as heavy favorites this year are OKC, Cavs and Denver(but still favorites).

[ArbitraryWater]

Funny thing is, Miami with Butler prob sends em packing again last year.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Funny thing is, Miami with Butler prob sends em packing again last year.
So Butler is better than Doncic?

[FKAri]

Funny thing is, Miami with Butler prob sends em packing again last year.

Hell no. No one in the league was close to Boston last year. Only a fully healthy Philly, Nuggets or Wolves would've been competitive vs Boston. And that's only because size was the way to beat Boston. Hope Horford gets in foul trouble and you punish them in the paint and you try to keep pace with them from 3.

[Xiao Yao You]

So Butler is better than Doncic?

Boston wouldnt have put butler on an island like they did fatty

[Real Men Wear Green]

Boston wouldnt have put butler on an island like they did fatty I'm not sure that makes enough of a difference but this is true.

[StrongLurk]

Lets wait until the postseason to confirm OKC and Cleveland as being "so good" compared to everyone else.

Well sure playoffs count, but idk how Cleveland is this good in the regular season already. They could win 70 games without a top 10 player on the roster.

[ShawkFactory]

Well sure playoffs count, but idk how Cleveland is this good in the regular season already. They could win 70 games without a top 10 player on the roster.

Incredibly deep and amazingly well-balanced. Two dynamite guards, two great defensive bigs (Mobley turning into an excellent offensive player as well), and depth full of guys who can pass, defend, and shoot. It makes sense.

[StrongLurk]

Incredibly deep and amazingly well-balanced. Two dynamite guards, two great defensive bigs (Mobley turning into an excellent offensive player as well), and depth full of guys who can pass, defend, and shoot. It makes sense.

I understand it to some degree, but still, 70 wins???

I feel like this same roster 10 years ago would maybe win 55 games because the coaching/analytics are so different in 2025 compared to 2015. I think the modern era of high coaching/analytics is fascinating. Those things plus the new complications of building team rosters/contracts make the current NBA fascinating from a certain perspective. Clearly this is all leading to a lot of parity, although Boston could end up repeating this year.

[90sgoat]

They are both teams that exploit the current rule system. Shai is basically prime Harden.

[ShawkFactory]

They are both teams that exploit the current rule system. Shai is basically prime Harden.

Not even close :lol

He embellishes at times to get calls like everyone else, now and before. The only reason it seems worse with him is because he has the ball a lot and drives far more than anyone today. He drives more than anyone has since they started tracking the stat.

Harden blatantly manipulated the rules. Shai takes the ball to the rack and occasionally sells calls. Two very different things.

[tpols]

I understand it to some degree, but still, 70 wins???

I feel like this same roster 10 years ago would maybe win 55 games because the coaching/analytics are so different in 2025 compared to 2015. I think the modern era of high coaching/analytics is fascinating. Those things plus the new complications of building team rosters/contracts make the current NBA fascinating from a certain perspective. Clearly this is all leading to a lot of parity, although Boston could end up repeating this year.

The Cavs are kind of having a fluke season.

It's like the kings when they had one of the best offenses of all time with fox and sabonis and a top seed the other year. And now not even close. Sometimes teams just get hot for a year in the regular season. 2015 Hawks also come to mind.

[Axe]

The Cavs are kind of having a fluke season.

It's like the kings when they had one of the best offenses of all time with fox and sabonis and a top seed the other year. And now not even close. Sometimes teams just get hot for a year in the regular season. 2015 Hawks also come to mind.
You seem to be coping rn since you know it may be hard for the warriors to win another ring nowadays due to how old they have become. :ohwell:

[tpols]

You seem to be coping rn since you know it may be hard for the warriors to win another ring nowadays due to how old they have become. :ohwell:

I'm not just coping. I'm absolutely devastated.