Los Angeles Clippers superstar Blake Griffin said that the current Cleveland Cavaliers roster is the strongest among the teams in the Eastern Conference.
Griffin said in an interview with GQ that the Cavaliers are now the favorites to win the Eastern Conference title in the upcoming season after LeBron James decided to return to Cleveland this summer.
Aside from James, the Cavaliers also acquired superstar Kevin Love in a trade that sent Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett along with their 2015 first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Veteran shooters Mike Miller and James Jones, who played with James during his four-year stay with the Miami Heat, also signed with the Cavaliers. Another shooter, Ray Allen, is reportedly leaning towards signing with the Cavs as indicated by previous Cleveland Cavaliers roster news.
Griffin said, though, that the Chicago Bulls, who also made roster improvements this offseason, are capable of giving the Cavaliers a run for their money, especially if Derrick Rose remains healthy next season.
"I think you got to say the Cavs now," Griffin said when asked to name the Eastern Conference title favorites. "And then also I think Chicago's gonna be very, very good, especially with Derrick Rose back. I think, if he can stay healthy, I think Chicago's gonna be very good."
The Bulls will welcome Rose to their squad anew after the superstar point guard missed all but 10 games last season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
The 25-year-old point guard, who averaged 15.9 points and 4.3 assists per game last season, performed well and stayed healthy during Team USA's gold medal-winning campaign in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.
The Bulls also made big moves to keep them within the strength of Cleveland Cavaliers' roster, acquiring veteran center Pau Gasol, who is expected to provide inside presence for the Bulls along with All-Star center Joakim Noah in the upcoming season.
Nikola Mirotic also signed a deal with Bulls after spending the past three years in Europe after he was selected as the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Chicago also selected high-scoring forward Doug McDermott in this year's draft and is expected to add firepower to the already-talented Bulls roster.
