What a difference a year can make! Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers started strong with an undefeated streak in their first 15 games, eventually finishing with a franchise-best 64 wins. This season, however, things haven’t gone as smoothly.
Currently, the Cavs are just above .500, having lost four of their last five games, including consecutive defeats to the Bulls and a home loss to the Hornets. Their lone win in that stretch was a narrow four-point victory over the Wizards, a team still considered professional but struggling.
The team faces significant challenges despite health being reasonably good. Darius Garland has only played 13 of 29 games, Jarrett Allen 18, and Evan Mobley—last season’s Defensive Player of the Year—had been performing well until a recent calf injury sidelined him for 2-4 weeks. Donovan Mitchell has been the most reliable among the top four players, but he missed a recent game against the Bulls due to illness. In that game, Coach Kenny Atkinson used his 15th different starting lineup featuring Garland, Allen, Dean Wade, Jaylon Tyson, and Tyrese Proctor, which has been a source of frustration.
Before the loss to the Bulls, Atkinson reportedly contacted friends from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team for advice on overcoming tough stretches, noting how the Guardians once overcame a 15.5-game deficit to win their division. Atkinson emphasized that facing adversity is part of professional sports and stressed the importance of trusting the team and pushing through hardships.
Despite this optimism, the Cavs’ performance this season has fallen short of expectations. Entering the year, they were seen as favorites to win the Eastern Conference but currently sit seventh with a 15-14 record. Unlike last season’s squad—which didn’t reach 14 losses until March and ranked No. 1 offensively and eighth defensively—this year’s team has struggled, especially with shooting efficiency. They rank 11th offensively and 18th in effective field goal percentage, shooting only 33.9% from three-point range, the fourth-worst in the league.
Personnel issues have contributed, with key shooters like Max Strus, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Ty Jerome, and Isaac Okoro unavailable or playing elsewhere. The current rotation includes players who aren’t as reliable from long range, making it harder to maintain the deadly shooting that marked last season.
Defense has also declined, dropping to 14th in defensive rating. The recent allowing of 136 points to the Bulls highlighted this weakness and is a concerning trend, especially considering the Bulls’ sub-.500 record.
With a high payroll and high expectations, the team’s struggles have raised questions about potential roster changes or even coaching stability. Owner Dan Gilbert has expressed frustration with the team’s return on investment, and there’s speculation about whether key players like Garland or Allen might be traded if the situation worsens.
For now, the Cavs hope to steady the ship and follow a path similar to the Guardians, who managed to rebound and make the postseason. However, the current uncertainty marks a precarious position for the franchise.
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Fan Take: This downturn for the Cavs matters deeply to basketball fans because it shows how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA, even for top contenders. How Cleveland responds could reshape the Eastern Conference and provide valuable lessons on managing adversity in professional sports.
