Tristan Thompson sees the Cavs without LeBron as the team to beat in East

The Cleveland Cavaliers may not have LeBron James this season, but Tristan Thompson thinks they remain the team to beat at the East Conference.

"We are still four times Eastern Conference Champions, so until we get away from it, the teams do not have much to say." Boston, Philadelphia, "They're n & # 39; They do not have much to say, "Thompson said Thursday. "Boston had match # 7 and lost, Philly, you 've almost been swept in. Toronto – we already know this story, so until someone lowers us, he does not. There is not much to say. "

With James, the Cavaliers swept the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the playoffs and defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference finals.

James left Cleveland this summer to sign a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, as many observers expect the Cavaliers to struggle this season. Westlake Las Vegas Sports Book has set the Cavs' total of wins and losses at 30.5. The total / under-win winnings for Boston, Toronto and Philadelphia for the sports book are all greater than 50 games.

Expectations are particularly high in Boston due to the addition of a healthy Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hawyward. Hayward missed a good part of the season after being fractured ankle in the first minutes of the first game of Boston's regular season. Irving missed a significant portion of the regular season and entire playoffs because of a knee condition that required surgery. Both are healthy before the season.

On Thursday afternoon, Celtics veteran Marcus Morris responded to Thompson's thoughts via Twitter.

"Stop yourself, make sure these holidays are ready by the beginning of this year, do not go see the Cavs this year!" #Facts, "Morris wrote on his verified account.

Philadelphia Guard and Rookie of the Year 2018 Ben Simmons has also commented since his Instagram account.

"@ realtristan13 hah yeh ok buddy see you soon," writes Simmons.

Ian Begley of ESPN contributed to this report