Cavaliers "Refreshing" Chemistry Key Part Of Success

The Cleveland Cavaliers' off-the-court chemistry has been critical in overcoming injuries.

Teams are going to be tested during an 82-game season that is spread across a six-month time frame. That's a long time spending a lot of hours with the game group of guys. The importance of chemistry off the floor can't be understated when evaluating a team's production on the court.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have certainly seen their fair share of adversity this season through the number of injuries the roster sustained. Jarrett Allen missed the first few weeks of the season and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley remain sidelined.

Still, with all of that, the Cavs are playing their best basketball and a lot of that has to do with the Cavs' chemistry with one another. 

Jan 11, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) against the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA Paris Game at AccorHotels Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexis Reau/Presse Sports via USA TODAY Sports / © Presse Sports-USA TODAY Sports

Georges Niang touched on Cleveland's fondness for one another after their 40-point win on Wednesday evening. 

"Guys genuinely care and like each other and I've said it before about this team. In professional sports that's not always the case. Sometimes you just show up to work and do your job. But these guys, we actually really do all get along, it's refreshing," said Niang.

J.B. Bickerstaff expanded on this from a coaching perspective and noted how important chemistry is in a locker room and how it can sometimes hold a team back even when they have the talent.

"I think, honestly, it's the most important thing," said Bickerstaff. "I think there are teams who have a ton of talent, but if you're missing that you're only going to go so far because there's going to come a time when things get extremely difficult, where there's some pumps and ups and downs, some frustrations whatever it may be, and if you're not tied together, like those things will knock you down a peg. I think the teams that have been fortunate enough to win at the highest levels obviously have the talent but have the combination of that connectiveness, togetherness, that's helped them overcome the difficult things because they can band together."

The Cavs have gone 11-3 including a season-high six-game win streak since losing two key starters. Some may look at that record and ask how they've been able to pull that off without DG and Mobley. 

Clearly, the answer to that question is chemistry.