The Cleveland Cavaliers have the early look of a contender.
The team is off to a 9–0 start for the first time in franchise history and is playing confidently. Cleveland rolled past the New Orleans Pelicans 131–122 on Wednesday night to set the record for the best start since joining the NBA in 1970.
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the way with 29 points against the Pelicans, while center Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert each added 16 points. Cleveland has the best shooting percentage in the NBA, making 52.6 percent of its shots from the field.
“I’ve been fortunate to land with a really good group, a group that’s been really successful in the past and I’m happy for them—and I think they’re happy for me in the locker room.
“When you win nine in a row, it’s not one or two guys; it’s the whole roster.”
Atkinson did have head coaching experience before taking over the Cavaliers. He led the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020 and ranks third all-time in franchise history for games coached (308) and fourth in wins (118).
However, he is also off to the best start of his career with the Cavaliers, and the players appreciate him.
“Kenny made history tonight,“ Cavaliers guard Darius Garland told reporters after the Pelicans game. ”Just had to celebrate his accomplishments. He is doing a great job. It’s hard to get one win in this league, so nine in a row is great for us. Kenny’s doing a really great job.
“Like I said, everybody’s bought in on both sides of the ball right now.”
The 1976–77 Cavaliers team started the season 8–0 and finished 43–39. The Portland Trailblazers won the title in 1977.
This year’s squad has more talent and depth. There is also a deep camaraderie among the players.
“I think it speaks to the togetherness of the team,” LeVert said about the 9–0 start following the game against New Orleans. “We’ve just been next man up since I’ve been here. It’s just a fun group to play with. We enjoy playing with each other. We enjoy being around each other.
“We’re getting better each and every day.”
Cleveland hosts the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. That game is symbolic because the Warriors own the record for the best start to an NBA season: going 24–0 in 2015–16. Ironically, 2016 was also the last year the Cavaliers won the title over Golden State.
Cleveland is confident that it can contend for another championship.
“We know where each other are supposed to be on the floor,” LeVert said. “We know each other’s spots on the floor. We hit the open man. We just try to execute. Somebody got it going, we keep feeding them. When the game slows down, we know what plays to go to. We’re free-flowing in the open court.
“We feed off our defense. So we just know how to play with each other.”
