NBA Team Chemistry Rankings: 2010-2011 Closeout

In sports, analysts and media outlets across the country regularly post power rankings. Likewise, analysts and media outlets also post preseason capsules to predict teams' regular season records. For the most part, these rankings are based on past and recent wins and losses, various statistics, and other subjective observations. Team chemistry is occasionally mentioned but oftentimes is completely excluded from these official ranking processes.

This season, I have decided to start posting periodic rankings of team chemistry across the NBA. This should give an additional perspective in regards to evaluating how well teams are developing, how well players are getting along, how well players function together within each team, and how much injuries and roster transactions affect teamwork. Isolating team chemistry as a separate evaluation tool may suggest how well teams are prepared to handle the challenges of playoff basketball. There is no standard statistical process for ranking the teams--like power rankings, my team chemistry rankings will consider past and recent wins and losses, various statistics, and other subjective observations.

To start, here is a closeout of the 2010-2011 season. In winning the NBA Championship as underdogs throughout the playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks claimed the top spot. While the Miami Heat were the runners-up, my observation was that there were several other teams in the NBA that had better balance and better on-court chemistry than the Heat. Please note that playoff teams are marked with an asterisk (*).

Dallas Mavericks*
Oklahoma City Thunder*
Memphis Grizzlies*
Boston Celtics*
San Antonio Spurs*
Portland Trail Blazers*
Indiana Pacers*
Phoenix Suns
Chicago Bulls*
Atlanta Hawks*
Los Angeles Lakers*
Miami Heat*
Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers*
New Orleans Hornets*
Milwaukee Bucks
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers
Sacramento Kings
New Jersey Nets
Utah Jazz
Charlotte Bobcats
Orlando Magic*
New York Knicks*
Denver Nuggets*
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons
Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves

Zone Defense: The Rule Change Michael Jordan is Forgetting

In accordance with the release of the new NBA 2K11 basketball video game, legendary Chicago Bulls shooting guard Michael Jordan has returned to the media's spotlight. That is, Michael Jordan has caught the sports world's attention by saying that today's NBA rules would have allowed him to score 100 points in a game. No one is questioning Michael Jordan's uncanny ability to make plays, create shots, and score points. Michael Jordan is right in saying that, overall, today's rules favor offensive players, particularly guards. Much less contact is allowed in defensive play; some of what was legal when Jordan played (such as forearms and handchecking) is now deemed personal foul-worthy. Furthermore, with a 30-team league, talent is spread out more than it used to be, and players--while on average are more athletic today--come into the league much less fundamentally sound. However, Michael Jordan has forgotten about the re-emergence of zone defense in the NBA. True, ...

Cavs vs. Magic & Remembering the 2008-2009 Cavs

Warning: Reader's discretion is advised, as some of the 'after the season' notes discuss serious, graphic situations. The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their 24th NBA Playoffs appearance with Game 1 versus the Orlando Magic. The Magic are making their 17th playoff appearance. The teams split the 2023-2024 season series, 2-2. Coincidentally, the two franchises have near identical regular season winning percentages in their histories (.467 for Cleveland; .469 for Orlando). Believe it or not, this year is already the 15th anniversary of the only playoffs meeting the two teams have had until this year. That season was a memorable run for both teams, with the 59-23 Magic upsetting the 66-16 Cavs, 4-2, in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. Let's take some time to reflect on that past Cavs squad. The 2008-2009 Cavaliers entered the season having taken the eventual 2008 NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics, to the final seconds of Game 7 of their second round matchup. The Celtics...

The New Cavalier Era

The 2021-2022 NBA season has been quite the ride for the young Cleveland Cavaliers team. There have been ups and downs with multiple winning streaks but loads of injuries and illness. After the New Year’s Eve loss, the Cavs stand at 20-16 and 5th in the Eastern Conference. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was rewarded for helping guide and teach the team with a Christmas Day contract extension through 2026-2027. Rajon Rondo joins to help fill the void left by Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton, who both suffered from season-ending injuries. Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley are showing up as big-time players, with Isaac Okoro leading other up-and-coming players on the roster. Trade rumors continue regarding other big-name talent. Regardless, the Cavs are finding their stride this year. 2022 brings much basketball hope to Cleveland, including the NBA All-Star Game in February and hopefully a return to postseason play for the first time in 4 years.

Cavs Game 7 & Winner Takes All Playoff History

Can the 2023-2024 Cleveland Cavaliers keep the streak alive? The Cavs step onto the court today for the franchise's 8th Game 7 in their playoff history, and their 13th winner takes all playoff game. They have a 6-6 record so far in these types of games and have won their last three Game 7's. Here is a quick recap of the first 12 winner takes all playoff games in Cavalier history. Overall: 6-6 (4-1 home, 2-5 road) Game 7 History: 5-2 (3-0 home, 2-2 road) 1976 Eastern Conference Semifinals: "The Miracle at Richfield" - 'Dick Snyder hits the series winner': Defeated the Washington Bullets at home, 87-85. 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals: 'Larry Bird's last NBA game': Defeated the Boston Celtics at home, 122-104. 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals: 'LeBron's first Game 7': Lost to the Detroit Pistons on the road, 79-61. 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals: 'James vs. Pierce Showdown': Lost to the Boston Celtics on the road,...

2018 NBA Finals Preview: The Evolution of Cavs vs. Warriors

Picture: Front entrance to Quicken Loans Arena on May 30th, 2018. (There were no new decorations yet for the 2018 NBA Finals as the Q renovation project takes place. Decorations were added today.) Cavs rotation Star players who are core players: F/G LeBron James, F/C Kevin Love Role players who are core players: G George Hill, G/F J.R. Smith, C/F Tristan Thompson, F Jeff Green, G/F Kyle Korver Role players who are situational players: G Jordan Clarkson, F/C Larry Nance Jr., G/F Rodney Hood, F/G Cedi Osman, G Jose Calderon Bench players who are secondary backups: C/F Ante Zizic, C Kendrick Perkins, F Okaro White *Not on playoff roster: Two-way players: G/F John Holland, G London Perrantes Warriors rotation Star players who are core players: F Kevin Durant, G Stephen Curry, G Klay Thompson, F/C Draymond Green Role players who are core players: [G Andre Iguodala], C/F Kevon Looney, G Shaun Livingston, G/F Nick Young, G Quinn ...

Cavs Comparisons: Current Roster vs. Past Players

Hi there, it has been a while since I last posted. I have been pretty busy with my primarily daily work, but I hope to write more again this season. Overall, the style of play of the 2022-2023 Cleveland Cavaliers reminds me of the 1980s-1990s Lenny Wilkens coached Cavs. Watching tonight's game vs. the Charlotte Hornets and other games this year, I keep thinking about who I would compare today's Cavaliers with Cavaliers of the past. Here is the list I came up with; feel free to Tweet at me @nbacavsblogger with your thoughts on how accurate or inaccurate my list is. Current Past Darius Garland Mark Price Donovan Mitchell World B. Free Lamar Stevens Cedric Henderson Evan Mobley Shawn Kemp Jarrett Allen Nate Thurmond Caris LeVert Larry Hughes Kevin Love Antawn Jamison Ricky Rubio Andre Miller Cedi Osman Craig Ehlo Dean Wade Ira Newble Isaac Okoro Alonzo Gee Raul Neto Matthew Dellavedova Robin Lopez Anderson Varejao Dylan Windler Trajan Langdon

Cavs Playoff History vs. Knicks

The #4 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers are matching up with the #5 seeded New York Knicks for the 4th time in franchise playoff history. This will be a tough series, as the Knicks took the season series, 3-1. Here is a quick recap of what happened in the past 3 matchups: 1. 1978: Knicks win, 2-0. Cleveland entered the series having won the season series, 3-1. Campy Russell led the #4 seeded Cavs in this series with 27.5 points per game, backed up by 5 other scorers in double-figures, including fellow broadcasters Austin Carr and Jim Chones. However, home court advantage and balanced scoring were not enough to overcome an equally talented #5 Knicks team paced by Bob McAdoo's 34.0 points per game. This would be the last of 3 playoff appearances under Coach Bill Fitch, who would lead the Boston Celtics to the 1981 NBA Championship. His hall of fame career would also include leading the 1985-1986 Houston Rockets (led by the Twin Towers, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson) to the...

Tale of the Tape: Cavaliers vs. Celtics

Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics 4 Series Wins 4 (1992, 2015, 2017, 2018) (1976, 1985, 2008, 2010) 24 Head-to-Head Playoff Wins 22 1 NBA Championships ...

Cavs Updated Rotation: 2/9/23

The 2022-2023 NBA Trade Deadline has passed. The Cleveland Cavaliers were satisfied with their offseason moves, Ricky Rubio getting healthier, and having generally good team chemistry, so they did not make any trades. In the meantime, President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman and the Cavs will keep their eyes on the buyout/free agency list of available players. Here is their updated rotation: Star players who are core players: G Donovan Mitchell, G Darius Garland, C Jarrett Allen, F/C Evan Mobley Role players who are core players: F/G Isaac Okoro, G Ricky Rubio, G/F Caris LaVert, F Dean Wade, F Cedi Osman Role players who are situational players: F/G Lamar Stevens, G Raul Neto Bench players who are secondary backups: C Robin Lopez, F/C Kevin Love *Two-way players: F Mamadi Diakite, F Isaiah Mobley *Injured: F/G Dylan Windler This rotation is certainly subject to change, especially if they take a flyer on any free agents. As of now, this is my prediction for...

2007: “Believeland” and the Parallels between Sports and Life

The year 2007 has been a great year for Cleveland sports. Regardless of whether or not the Browns make the playoffs today, all three teams of the ‘Big Three’—Cavaliers, Indians, and Browns—have put together winning seasons. One thing that has always fascinated me about sports is seeing parallels between sports and life, and as fans of these Cleveland teams we can definitely carry their winning attitudes into our own lives (whether on or off the field/court) as we turn the calendar to 2008. In Cleveland sports, we have seen our shares of mishaps and disappointments, including times when players or team officials themselves surrendered too early and never gave winning a chance. As fans, most of us at one point or another have written off certain players, coaches, teams, etc. because we did not believe that they could win, whether the reason was internal to the team or external. Regardless, we have come to expect little out of our teams yet still endlessly criticize them w...

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