Fansided

5 things we learned from the Cavaliers erasing the Raptors

By Jeremy Lambert

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hits the game winning shot over the outstretched hand of OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 105-103 during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hits the game winning shot over the outstretched hand of OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors to win Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals 105-103 during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

The five things we learned from the Cavaliers sweep over the Raptors are five things we kind of already knew.

The poor Toronto Raptors. They changed the culture around Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. The two All-Stars were willing to sacrifice for the greater good during the regular season. Their bench was the best second-unit in the league for 82 games. They ended up with the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They even won Game 1 in the first round and closed out the Washington Wizards on the road.

And LeBron James didn’t care.

After barely getting by the Indiana Pacers in round one, James reminded the world that he’s still the best player in the league. And he reminded the Raptors that there is nothing they can do to stop him.

For Cleveland, a return to the Conference Finals was expected given LeBron’s presence. But after the season they had, very few figured they would sweep the top seed in the East. They completely overhauled their team in February. Of the four pieces they brought in, only George Hill saw consistent playing time. The Cavaliers relied on the guys who have gone to battle with LeBron before. And they delivered.

For Toronto, they have to take a long look in the mirror. They did everything they possible could in the offseason and throughout the season to get over this hump. They were ready to storm the castle with all hands on deck, ready to dethrone the King.

They missed.

Home/NBA Playoffs