Pacers coach Vogel on Cavs: 'On paper, they're the favorite'

Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel believes there's a clear pecking order in the Eastern Conference. 

To little surprise, Vogel views LeBron James's improved Cleveland Cavaliers as the team to beat. 

"On paper, they’re the favorite," Vogel said Wednesday, according to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. "Look at the talent they have. Best player in the world, probably the best power forward in the world and one of the best point guards all on the same roster. They haven’t done anything yet, obviously, but on paper they’re the favorites going into this season."

Vogel was referring to the three-headed monster of James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving – the lone holdover of that bunch from last season's Cavaliers team, which placed 10th in the East. 

James, who began his career in Cleveland, catapulted the Cavaliers to contender status after signing with them as a free agent during the offseason. Cleveland later obtained Love in a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and also added Shawn Marion, Mike Miller and Brendan Haywood in a massive offseason that completely revitalized the franchise. 

The Pacers, meanwhile, who were ousted in six games by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, enter the season without a pair of their top players from a year ago. Guard Lance Stephenson signed with the Charlotte Hornets, while leading scorer Paul George is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a serious leg injury with USA Basketball during the summer.