The NBA’s quiet shift in power

The NBA regular season is winding down, which means that it is time for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to take care of business as the number one team in the East.

But that is not an accurate statement anymore. The Cavs are 10.5 games back from first and 6 games out of second place. Cleveland made a couple of big moves at the trade deadline to upgrade their team defensively, however, they have remained in the third spot for almost the entire season.

This is where the NBA is beginning to see a shift in power from the traditional Cleveland and Golden State finals matchup.

While Cleveland is struggling, there is no guarantee that the Warriors will make it back to the NBA Finals either. The injury bug has followed Stephen Curry his whole career and it bit him again just last night when Curry returned to the lineup after missing the past six games with an ankle injury. Warriors teammate JaVale McGee fell into the front of Curry’s leg and after being visibly upset, Curry headed to the locker room where he was diagnosed with an MCL sprain.

Golden State has enough star power to get them through the first round of the playoffs but a potential second round matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers or the San Antonio Spurs could prove costly if they are without their starting point guard.

What you are seeing in the NBA is a perfect example of how one player cannot carry his team to a championship like they could in previous years. There are more than just a few teams now with a heavy dose of star power for that to be possible. Teams like the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets have superstars leading the team, but they also play as a team which is why they could be crowned NBA champions in June.