With the playoffs looming, the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to turn a new page and play at a championship level. It is no secret that the Cavaliers have been the most disappointing team this season. Since the New Year the Cavs are only 25-23. While much of this has been due to constant roster changes, the team has still underachieved. These Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde like tendencies have many people wondering if the defending champion can even make it out of the Eastern Conference. This team has proven that when motivated, they can play with anybody in basketball and should still be considered dangerous when the real season begins.

With the current state of media, there are always story lines surrounding the league that helps narrate the NBA regular season. This season, rest has been one of the main topics on the list and the Cavaliers have often been the team that sparks outrage. Currently, Cleveland is the oldest team in the NBA and late season injuries arguably cost them the 2015-2016 NBA championship. As a veteran ball club, this time of year is where they know they have to take their games to another level and leave everything out on the floor. These reserves can help the Cavaliers reach the top of the mountain again and hold that Larry O’Brien trophy in June.

Iman Shumpert

Iman Shumpert started off the regular season coming off the bench in a backup point guard role and flourished doing so. After fine tuning his mechanics in the offseason, Iman Shumpert has shot the ball better than he has in his 6 year career. Although he still is shooting a career best 41.2% from the field, his 3-point shooting has dropped off. Shumpert shot over 40% from three before the addition of Kyle Korver, Derrick Williams and Deron Williams. To be successful again, Shumpert much look to becoming a lockdown defender once again. Often times, Shumpert is seen hanging his head when his shot is not falling. Although his playing time has decreased, His tenacity and timely perimeter shooting is a must with the second unit.

Deron Williams

At the end of January, LeBron James went on a public tirade and stated the team needed a backup point guard. James felt that too much ball handling responsibility was on the shoulders of Kyrie Irving and himself. The Dallas Mavericks bough out the contract of Deron Williams, and it seemed a match made in heaven. Williams is a 3x NBA All-Star and has not come off the bench anytime during his career. There’s an obvious adjustment period and Williams had not shown the type of impact he could bring. Monday night against the Miami Heat, that all changed.

Williams posted a season high 35 points and showed a burst that we haven’t seen since his signing. The Cavaliers roster has weapons that need the ball in their hands. Normally Williams facilitates for others but Monday proved, he can still create his own shot. The Cavs will need a more aggressive Deron Williams in the playoffs to play at their peak.

Dahntay Jones

DeAndre Liggins was waived prior to Monday’s game in Miami as a surprise to many of us. It has been reported by Chris Reichert that the team will sign the veteran guard for the playoffs. Dahntay Jones was signed last year before the playoffs started, and was waived this season during training camp. The Cavaliers have lacked toughness on the perimeter and Jones should help in that area. While Liggins is a great defender, Jones’ ability to hit the open shot from the deep may be more fitting at this time in the season.

Walter Tavares

According to The Vertical, The Cavaliers will sign Walter Tavares to a multi-year contract and release Larry Sanders. The 7’3 center spent most of this season in the NBA D-League. He is quick for his size and should help the team with their lacking rim protection.

Sanders didn’t seem quite ready to contribute at this level coming off his two year hiatus.