After posting the worst record in the Eastern Conference last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are now just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot almost a month and a half into the season.
So while they have not progressed into the upper echelon yet, Cleveland is taking more than baby steps, and Tom Ziller has pegged the Cavaliers at 21st in the latest edition of NBA Power Rankings at SB Nation.
| 21. | Cleveland Cavaliers | 9-13 | W: DAL; L: BOS, ORL | Fear The Sword |
| Kyrie Irving has been amazing, Anderson Varejao is every fan's trade machine subject (non-Dwight edition) and the Cavaliers' future is looking much, much brighter than it did a year ago. Thanks for the No. 1 pick, Clippers! | ||||
It will be tough to be this high when the rankings arrive next week. The Cavaliers have a tough back-to-back this week, as they travel to face LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Tuesday and then host Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. In any event, both should be fun tests for sensational rookie Kyrie Irving.
For more on the Cleveland Cavaliers, go to Fear The Sword. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NBA hub at SBNation.com/NBA.