Fansided

5 NBA teams that could use some luck in the new year

By Dylan Hughes

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) argues with referee Bill Spooner (22) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) argues with referee Bill Spooner (22) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Things haven’t exactly gone as planned in Cleveland thus far. Sure, we all–including LeBron James–expected for it to take some time for this group to gel together. With three stars–like in Miami four years ago–they all have to adapt to each other’s games and figure out how they can be effective with each other. It’s hard to say the Cavs are off to a bad start with a 19-14 record, but with the 5th seed in the East, every team above them has 10 or less losses.

A trade to strengthen frontcourt depth was necessary at the beginning of the season, and is imminent now as Anderson Varejao will be sidelined for the rest season with a torn Achilles. And while close, that may not even the worst of Cleveland’s problems right now.

Kyrie Irving has had on-and-off injuries this season, but nothing too big. Kevin Love is now battling back spasms, but shouldn’t miss much or any time at all. LeBron, however, is suffering from knee soreness and back issues, causing him to miss two weeks on top of the last three games he’s missed. This not only hurts Cleveland’s depth for the short-term even more, but it hurts their chances of catching up to the teams ahead of them in the standings. The Cavs still have the homestretch coming up after the All-Star break for them to make their run, but these injuries and seemingly lack of activity on the trade market might mean the Cavs just aren’t in it this year.

Either way, they could sure use some luck whether they expect to win anything or not. A trade bringing in bench depth along with all health issues being resolved are things that could really change Cleveland’s position of power in the East, but it’ll sure take some luck.

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