LeBron James is set to become the NBA's highest paid player following his new $100 million three-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin Winter)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still holding a precarious lead over the rest of the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers are still at the top but they are only two games ahead of the Boston Celtics. T stars of the team are either tired or injured. Kevin Love is out with for six weeks and this could affect the Cavs, as experts from NBA Blogtable assess.
Fran Blinebury believes that the Boston Celtics could potentially catch up with them for the no.1 spot. But even more than the no.1 seed, the Cavs are more wary of the postseason, specifically the health of their three stars.
David Aldridge points out that LeBron James' load will only get heavier. The King already took issue with the team being top heavy and thaat's why he demanded some roster changes. Losing Kevin Love will only compound that.
"James is in Alpha Male mode when anyone asks him about his minutes these days, but the reality is that while he's just 32 years old chronologically, he's logged the minute load of a 35-or 36-year-old during his amazing career, when you add all the playoffs/Finals games, and the three Olympic Games and practices," Aldridge pointed out.
Another factor that could add to James' struggle is how the Cavs' frontline is short as it is. Tristan Thompson has been the de facto center as he can fight for the rebounds against bigger player. Channing Frye is unlikely to fill in those shoes.
The Celtics and now, the Raptors with Serge Ibaka and the resurgent Washington Wizards will definitely take a shot to rise up the standings and steal homecourt advantage from the Cavs. If Cleveland should take a stand, James will have to increase his minutes and subject their King to more wear and tear even before the playoffs start.
Is this a battle worth risking? The Ringer actually suggested that the Cavs should rest LeBron James.
"We're in friggin' February. James and Irving should be doing less, not more. No one plays more than 34.2 minutes per game on the Warriors, while the man who's been to six straight NBA Finals is nearly leading the damn league in minutes.
There's not a lot more that LeBron can, or should, be asked to do."
The risk is real, but the point is That means the door is open for other teams to make a push for the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference. Maybe the top spot won't matter to a (potentially) healthy Cavaliers roster, but don't tell that to other contenders."
The Cavs have learned their lesson and if conserving LeBron's energy is key, they'd rather battle the Celtics, or any other team that catches them on the road.
