NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers are right where they want to be
Brandon Jefferson
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Can New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) get his team and your DraftKings daily picks a big win tonight? Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) punches the back post in reaction to his foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) lays on the floor during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON, DC- NOVEMBER 24:Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the second half of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday November 24, 2015. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards 123-106. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Apr 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after taking a jump shot against the Los Angeles Clippers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- APRIL 26: New Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau throws out a first pitch prior to the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians on April 26, 2016 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 6-5. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Oct 11, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; NBA referee Rodney Mott (L) talks with Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (R) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at American Airlines Arena. The Charlotte Hornets won 97-91. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after fouling Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (not pictured) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat the Sacramento Kings 108-96 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Indiana Pacers 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) celebrates with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 130-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Both Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and guard Mike Conley (11) are in my FanDuel daily picks lineup for the day. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) is in my FanDuel dialed picks lineup for the day. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) while playing against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) hangs onto the rim after dunking for a basket in the third quarter during the game against the Sacramento Kings at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Kings 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 121-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) controls the ball during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) fights for the ball with Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) celebrates after a basket by Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Portland won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard George Hill (3) in the first half of the game against Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 129-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reacts to a play with guard Kyle Korver (26) in the first quarter of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes up for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) talks with guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half of the game against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Hornets win 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts to a play against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Spurs won the game 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Jefferson
Brandon Jefferson is a Contributor to Swarm and Sting and former Contributing Writer at FanSided’s The Step Back, SB Nation, The Basketball Writers, and BBallBreakdown. He specializes in NBA coverage but has also written extensively about college basketball, FIBA, and broader sports culture. Brandon has been writing professionally for over a decade, with bylines at outlets including Complex, Bleacher Report, and Dime Magazine. A graduate of High Point University with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, Brandon has reported from major events, including the NBA Draft, NCAA Tournament, and NBA Playoffs. He was part of the launch team for FanSided’s NBA hub, The Step Back, and has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis and in-depth storytelling. A lifelong basketball fan, he has followed the game closely since childhood and has covered it from grassroots to the pros. Outside of writing, Brandon enjoys reading, traveling, and baking.
