Cavaliers off to their best start in nearly 50 seasons

The 1976-77 Cavs also started 8-0 but underwent a midseason slump to finish the season 43-39. 

However, it's hard to foresee these Cavaliers not winning at least 50 games and finishing as one of the top three seeds in the East. They have arguably the most potent starting unit in the league currently, with four starters — Donovan Mitchell (23.1), Darius Garland (20.5), Evan Mobley (17.1) and Jarrett Allen (15.0) — averaging over 15 points a game, and sixth-man Caris LeVert pouring in another 12 off the bench. 

That balanced attack has given them the luxury of not depending on a go-to option in critical moments. On Monday, for example, Mitchell shot 5-of-15 from the field with zero field goals in the fourth quarter. Most teams would have struggled to win a game when their star player had an off-shooting night. However, Garland stepped up with 12 fourth-quarter points to lead the Cavs to victory. 

Furthermore, Atkinson's new uptempo system has propelled the Cavaliers to average 122.3 points a night, second only to the Celtics' 123.6, a year after they averaged just 112.6 for 20th in the league.

As for their defense, the Cavaliers haven't lost a step despite playing a more fast-paced style. Their twin-tower front court of Mobley and Allen has limited teams to 45 paint points a game, giving the Cavaliers a defensive rating of 108.3, which ranks fifth best in the league. 

Essentially, they are top-five in both offense and defense after former coach J.B. Bickerstaff prioritized the latter last season. These Cavaliers brought back most of the same personnel but they play a completely different style of basketball. After Monday's win, Mitchell highlighted the versatility of the Cavaliers as their biggest strength. 

"We've won in so many different ways," Mitchell said, via the Associated Press. "That's been more impressive to me than the eight wins, just how we've done it. We've had blowouts. We've had close games. We've come back. Every night, it's somebody new."

The Cavs can make franchise history Wednesday when they travel to New Orleans. A 9-0 start would give them the 15th-best start by any team to an NBA season. They will also tie the 2022-23 Bucks for the best start by any team in this decade. The 2015-16 Warriors, who opened 24-0, hold the record for the best start in NBA history.