Are the Cavaliers legitimate title contenders?

In a comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, Darius Garland erupted for 39 points, including seven three-pointers, capping off the win with a clutch dagger from beyond the arc with 45 seconds left. With a perfect 8-0 record, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the last undefeated squad in the Eastern Conference. They now set their sights on extending their historic start and breaking the franchise record for the best season-opening run when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Cleveland’s undefeated start has been a product of a total team effort, with Donovan Mitchell and Garland shining in the backcourt. 

“We’ve won in so many different ways,” Mitchell said after their second victory over the Bucks this season, via Fox8. “That’s been more impressive to me than the eight wins — just how we’ve done it. We’ve had blowouts, close games and comebacks. Every night, it’s somebody new stepping up.”

While the entire Cavs rotation has impressed, the question remains: Is Cleveland’s 8-0 start an early season outlier, or have they truly transformed into title contenders under new head coach Kenny Atkinson?

Atkinson was expected to implement a pass-heavy, flowing system — a style he honed as an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Warriors — but the Cavs’ offense has taken on a different approach. 

Cleveland currently ranks 29th in the NBA in passes made, averaging just 261.5 per game. Instead, the Cavs have leaned heavily on a more isolation-driven, drive-and-kick offense, relying on exceptional individual shot-making. They’ve posted a league-high 60.0% shooting rate on very tightly contested shots (with a defender within 0-2 feet), a mark that’s unlikely to hold as the season progresses. Similarly, their 54.5% shooting on tightly contested shots (with a defender within 2-4 feet) is also among the league’s best, but may prove difficult to sustain over the long term.

The Cavs’ hot start has also been fueled by unexpected sharpshooting from three key rotation players. Evan Mobley, a career 27.2% shooter from three, is hitting 40.0% of his attempts; Caris LeVert, a career 34.3% shooter, is converting an impressive 52.4%; and Isaac Okoro, a career 35.0% shooter, is connecting at a 46.7% from deep. While it’s possible that all three reworked their shot mechanics during the offseason, their current shooting percentages are likely unsustainable. Given their career averages, it’s reasonable to expect some regression as the season unfolds.

On defense, Mobley and Jarrett Allen form a formidable frontcourt duo for the Cavaliers, providing elite rim protection and effectively compensating for the lapses of ho-hum perimeter defenders Mitchell and Garland. However, Cleveland’s early success has been aided by facing some of the worst offensive teams the league has to offer, including the Orlando Magic (29th in offensive rating), the Washington Wizards (24th), the Detroit Pistons (23rd) and the Milwaukee Bucks (19th).

Several 2023-24 playoff teams are off to surprisingly slow starts. The Bucks are 1-6 due to incredibly shaky two-play, the Magic are 3-5 with superstar Paolo Banchero sidelined indefinitely by a torn right oblique and the 76ers are stumbling at 1-5 amid injuries to Paul George and Joel Embiid. This has created an opportunity for the Cavs, who have positioned themselves well for a top-2 seed in the Eastern Conference and a smoother path to the Finals.

A challenging stretch awaits the Cavs, who have so far benefited from the league's eighth-easiest schedule and exceptional shot-making. With upcoming matchups against the Warriors, Celtics and the improved Bulls and Hawks, we’ll see if this Cavs team is truly built for a championship.