Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 steps to repeat as NBA Champions

Step 3: Stay healthy, stay rested

The Cavaliers ‘big-3’ have taken a physical beating the last month and a half. If the Cavaliers want to be able to start off next season hot, then it’s time to rest during the offseason.

A potential point of concern for Cleveland’s repeat hopes is that Kyrie Irving is on the United States Olympic basketball team.

Irving was critical to winning a championship and he will need to be in tip-top shape if he wants to give his team the best chance to repeat.

Hopefully playing for his country won’t cause a problem for his team, come next May.

Lebron James and Kevin Love, on the other hand, both declined the invitation to join Team USA. James, who reached his sixth straight NBA Finals when he faced off against Golden State, is in need of a long rest after his hard fought battle against the Warriors. Love is also in need of a rest. While the concussion he suffered in the Finals cleared up, brain injuries can linger and it playing in unnecessary games seems like a risky move.

The Cavaliers have already seen the impact that a few ill-timed injuries can have on a championship run. During the 2014-2015 Finals, both Irving and Love were out for the series with freak injuries. Of course, neither player should be faulted for being injured, causing Cleveland to lose to the Warriors.

Instead, the team should learn from the past, and take every precaution so that they have the best chance at winning another title.

Next: Step 4: Upgrade second unit