I think the Cavs are better after this trade, because they will not have to contend with a disgruntle Kyrie. The team will not have to answer questions after each game about the rift between Lebron and Kyrie. Even though Isiah doesn't play that much defense, at least he is more willing than Kyrie. When you add Crowder to the mix, there are better defensively without Kyrie. The Cavs will suffer some a bit offensively, but a healthy Thomas can get buckets particularly in the 4th quarter.
Let's see if I'm correct a year from now on this trade. I still don't think the Cavs can beat the Warriors.
Celtics are going to wreck the Cavs. Maybe not wreck but they will come out on top of this trade. IT is going to clash with Lebron because they both are used to the offense flowing through them. Then you have to consider that IT probably, well not probably 100% certainly did not want to leave Boston for fucking Cleveland Ohio. IT loved the damn Celtics. He's not going to play with that same heart.
Kyrie however is fired up to be THE GUY on that squad, just like he wanted. And Boston is a great sports city and great organization. Huge upgrade from Cleveland.
Honestly I don't know why people are so high on Cavs after this trade. Celtics will get the 1 seed, again, Cavs will not be in the Finals.
I would agree if I trusted the NBA. I truly believe that if LeBron were on a team that only dressed 3 other players, the NBA would find a way to get him in the finals lol. The league is making money hand over fist off of him.
You may be right that Thomas is more willing to play D. Unfortunately, willing or not, he simply can't. Either way, it really doesn't matter. We can fast forward to the Cavs vs Warriors finals right now. Will the Cavs win a game in that series is my only question.
Curious to see which of these two teams Wade joins when he is bought out. There is an argument for both.