Everybody is talking; the Cleveland Cavaliers are undefeated with an insane record of 11-0 to start the season. With new coaching this year, what has changed between J.B. Bickerstaff and Kenny Atkinson’s coaching styles that led to such a stark increase in victories for the team?
Currently, the Cavaliers have broken several records. According to NBA.com, a 11-0 start is the best start to a season in franchise history. Not only that, but they are the only NBA team ever to score over 110 points in 10 games and remain undefeated, and Atkinson is the only first-year head coach to be undefeated this long. What the Cavaliers are doing this season is historic, and they’re just getting started.
Here are the scores from their games so far:
- @Toronto W 136-106
- Detroit W 113-101
- @Washington W 135-116
- @New York W 110-104
- LA Lakers W 134-110
- Orlando W 120-109
- @Milwaukee W 114-113
- Milwaukee W 116-114
- @New Orleans W 131-122
- Golden State W 136-117
- Brooklyn W 105-100
Obviously, the Cavs are running with an extremely talented squad of players, many of them quite young. This includes Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, and more. According to stats on fearthesword.com, they are 1st in point differential for the league with a +12 average differential per 100 possessions, 2nd in overall offense, and 3rd in overall defense. Last year, they were only outperforming teams by an average of 2 or 3 points per 100 possessions, not the impressive 12 points they have over teams this year. So what has changed?
Under Bickerstaff, the Cavaliers played a relatively slow offense, averaging less than 98 possessions a game. Atkinson has the team moving the ball faster, shooting quicker, and possessing the ball more often. This season has the Cavs consistently having over 100 offensive possessions. This may not sound like a big difference, but this difference in possession is equivalent to 24th in the league and 12th. Also, the Cavs are taking shots earlier in the shot clock, which forces the other team to play at their speed. These changes are exactly why the Cavs are looking at one of the best seasons they’ve ever had.
