Kyrie Irving gave Cavalier fans someone to cheer for again last season and now those championship-starved fans can't wait to see what he can accomplish with a full training camp and an NBA season under his belt. Kyrie was named the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the 2011-12 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. He averaged 18.5 points per game, 5.4 assist and 3.7 rebounds a game.
Cleveland loss veteran Antawn Jamison to free agency, but the team continues to build their roster through the NBA draft. The Cavaliers took Dion Waiters with the number four pick and then traded back into the first round to take Tyler Zeller at seventeenth spot.
The Cavs have made very little free agency moves besides acquiring Jeremy Pargo through a trade, claiming Jon Leuer off of waivers, and signing CJ Miles to a free agent deal. Cleveland is hoping that second year forward Tristan Thompson develops more this year and becomes a stronger presence for the team.
Last year the Cavaliers were 4th in offensive rebounding and this year they should be better with center Anderson Varejaor healthy and Thompson growing into the role of a better all-around rebounder. One of the strengths this team should have is rebounding and scoring in the paint. Irving and rookie guard Waiters both excel at getting to the rim for points.
The team should struggle with mid-range and perimeter shooting, but according to NBA 2K13 that will not be a problem. The Cavs will be sixth in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage and average 99.1 points per game. NBA 2K 13 predicts that Cleveland will be plagued by turnovers and end the season averaging 15 turnovers per game.
NBA 2K13 has the Cavs missing the playoffs, but the team will improve over their .318 win percentage from the 2011-12 season. Irving will also make his first All-Star game appearance and will end the season with an 86 player rating. With up and coming young players the team is definitely ready to move pass the Lebron James era.
Here is how the game simulates the Cavaliers' season:
Regular Season Record: 36-46 twelfth in the Eastern Conference
Top scorers: PF Tristan Thompson 14.4 PPG, SF C.J. Miles 17.1 PPG, PG Kyrie Irving 23.9 PPG
Leading rebounders: PG Kyrie Irving 4.3 RPG, PF Tristan Thompson 7.5 RPG, C Anderson Varejao 10.9 RPG
Assist Leader: SG Dion Waiters 3.3 APG, SF C.J. Miles 4.1 APG, PG Kyrie Irving 7.0 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Eastern Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
