The Golden State Warriors vs. the Central Division

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

2012-13 Record: 24-58 (Missed Playoffs)

The Cavs are one of the league’s fast rising teams, and one in the running for LeBron’s second free agency next summer.  They’re hoarding cap space to make some waves in the summer of ’14.  They certainly aren’t without their assets now, though.  They have Kyrie Irving, a young star point guard already threatening to break into the NBA’s elite.  He’s a fantastic passer, he’s fast, and he’s a great shooter with killer instinct in the clutch.  Add to that some young talent, young guard Dion Waiters for instance, and you have a squad with a bright future.  The point remains though that this is a team that only managed 24 wins last year with one of the 10 best point guards in the NBA, and as of this summer two number one picks in a few years.  They’re still very much mired in the lower levels of league squads.

Prediction: 2-0

As much youth and promise as the Cavaliers have, they haven’t made as much forward progress as the Warriors have this offseason.  In addition, they didn’t make much by way of big moves this summer (adding Jarrett Jack was arguably their most important addition) because they’re in the running for LeBron James next year.  They lost both games to Golden State last year, and that’s unlikely to change this year.