ibutOver the summer the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. LeBron James completely dominated the Warriors, becoming the first player in NBA history to lead all players on both teams in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in a playoff series.

“Cleveland, this is for you”, said LeBron after ending the city of Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought.

Whatever happened in June no longer matters, now that the Warriors are now an overwhelming favorite to win the title with the acquisition of Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Even though they have the former MVP, few still have the Cleveland Cavs winning the championship effortlessly. Anyone who looked at the flaws of last year’s Golden State team know they were smaller and weaker compared to the physicality that the Cavaliers exemplified.

The Warriors let go of their depth when they lost six key contributors: Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, Maurice Speights, Leandro Barbosa and Brandon Rush.

“I’m viewing it as the weakest move I’ve ever seen from a superstar”, said Stephen A. Smith from ESPN regarding Kevin Durant’s departure from OKC.

The Cavaliers have lost two players in free agency. They’ve lost Mathew Dellavedova, who has been a defensive presence at the point behind Kyrie Irving. They also let Timofey Mosgov go to Los Angeles, but Mosgov barley contributed with the Cavs switching to a small ball formula.

With only these two players departing and the new addition of veteran Mike Dunleavy, the Cleveland Cavaliers seem poised for an action-packed season and a second NBA championship.

In the end, the doubters will see the greatest basketball player of all time hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy and spectators will see Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant on the sidelines with their heads down.