2025-2026 Postseason Thread

Cassity14 said:
Then being a sports fan may not be for you, and that's OK.

This sort of thinking is a plague on joy.
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The goal in professional sports is to win the championship. Its not to win 50 games. Now it can be a multi year goal, where you know you're not going to win in the current season and you're building towards it. But the Cavs are an old team who are never getting there with that core. When you have an okay team who you know isn't taking the next step, you should blow it up. The goal in sports isn't to be a perennial playoff team that can't actually compete for the championship
 
American Hero said:
The goal in professional sports is to win the championship. Its not to win 50 games. Now it can be a multi year goal, where you know you're not going to win in the current season and you're building towards it. But the Cavs are an old team who are never getting there with that core. When you have an okay team who you know isn't taking the next step, you should blow it up. The goal in sports isn't to be a perennial playoff team that can't actually compete for the championship
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So the strategy is to blow up a team every time it falls short of a championship? I honestly don't understand that logic.

There hasn't been a repeat NBA champion since the Warriors. Maybe OKC changes that, but the Cavs aren't OKC—and neither is anyone else. So what exactly is the alternative? Blow it up and wait around for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close?

The Cavs just made the Eastern Conference Finals. Most franchises would kill to be in that position. Championship teams are usually built through multiple playoff runs, not by tearing everything down the moment you come up short.

Look at the pattern with the ECF how every year - the team that lost in the ECF made it to the finals the next season since what 2022 or 23? But sure - let's just blow it up... Anyways - that ain't happening so good luck rooting against the Cavs or any sports team in general...

And the "old team" argument doesn't make much sense either. The Cavs' average age isn't much different from the Knicks', and the roster is likely going to see some turnover this offseason anyway. Calling a team built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen "old" feels like a stretch to me... Add in the fact Tyson is only 23 years old too...


I haven't seen a team win back-to-back championships since 2018, which tells me there's something to be said about how difficult it is to stay on top in today's NBA. Maybe OKC changes that this year, but who knows?

Should the Cavs just blow it up and wait for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close? That seems like a strange strategy. What happens if Wembanyama gets hurt next season? What if SGA gets hurt - he will be 28 this summer is he old now? What if another contender emerges?

The whole point is to keep putting yourself in position to compete. If you're making deep playoff runs and reaching Conference Finals, you stay in the fight and keep taking swings. You don't tear everything down because you fell short once.
  • 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder def. Indiana Pacers (4-3)
  • 2024: Boston Celtics def. Dallas Mavericks (4-1)
  • 2023: Denver Nuggets def. Miami Heat (4-1)
  • 2022: Golden State Warriors def. Boston Celtics (4-2)
  • 2021: Milwaukee Bucks def. Phoenix Suns (4-2)
  • 2020: Los Angeles Lakers def. Miami Heat (4-2)
  • 2019: Toronto Raptors def. Golden State Warriors (4-2)
  • 2018: Golden State Warriors def. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0
We have already touched on the ECF:

  • 2026: New York Knicks def. Cleveland Cavs (4-0)
  • 2025: Indiana Pacers def. New York Knics (4-2)
  • 2024: Boston Celtics def. Indiana Pacers (4-0)
  • 2023: Miami Heat def. Boston Celtics (4-3)
  • 2022: Boston Celtics def. Miami Heat (4-2)
  • 2021: Milwaukee Bucks def. Atlanta Hawks (4-2)
  • 2020: Miami Heat def. Boston Celtics (4-2)
  • 2019: Toronto Raptors def. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
  • 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers def. Boston Celtics (4-3)
 
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American Hero said:
The goal in professional sports is to win the championship. Its not to win 50 games. Now it can be a multi year goal, where you know you're not going to win in the current season and you're building towards it. But the Cavs are an old team who are never getting there with that core. When you have an okay team who you know isn't taking the next step, you should blow it up. The goal in sports isn't to be a perennial playoff team that can't actually compete for the championship
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The Cavs don't own their picks until 2030. There will be no blowing it up. If Harden can serve as place holder for a season or two, and we can scoot below one, or both aprons, that's what's going to happen. He's opting out. The Cavs current choices are extend him at a lower number, or let him walk.

Mitchell is an all nba guard who has a player option next summer. He's said, emphatically, he wants to stay. If the Cavs have the option of extending him this summer, that's what they're going to do and they're right to do so.

Giannis won't commit to extending here. Do you want to trade Mobley + for a one year rental?

LBJ wants a max or as close to it as he can get. Do you want to surrender Allen, who was +8 and had two monster Game 7s, to rent a 42-year old LBJ for a farewell season?

Are the Cavs even a better playoff team with only Mobley protecting the rim and three poor defenders is front of him?

None of our guys are unhappy. None of our guys are making a trade request. Why isn't the right move to wait until the right opportunity presents itself.
 
bushwick_bill said:
So the strategy is to blow up a team every time it falls short of a championship? I honestly don't understand that logic.

There hasn't been a repeat NBA champion since the Warriors. Maybe OKC changes that, but the Cavs aren't OKC—and neither is anyone else. So what exactly is the alternative? Blow it up and wait around for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close?

The Cavs just made the Eastern Conference Finals. Most franchises would kill to be in that position. Championship teams are usually built through multiple playoff runs, not by tearing everything down the moment you come up short.

Look at the pattern with the ECF how every year - the team that lost in the ECF made it to the finals the next season since what 2022 or 23? But sure - let's just blow it up... Anyways - that ain't happening so good luck rooting against the Cavs or any sports team in general...

And the "old team" argument doesn't make much sense either. The Cavs' average age isn't much different from the Knicks', and the roster is likely going to see some turnover this offseason anyway. Calling a team built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen "old" feels like a stretch to me... Add in the fact Tyson is only 23 years old too...


I haven't seen a team win back-to-back championships since 2018, which tells me there's something to be said about how difficult it is to stay on top in today's NBA. Maybe OKC changes that this year, but who knows?

Should the Cavs just blow it up and wait for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close? That seems like a strange strategy. What happens if Wembanyama gets hurt next season? What if SGA gets hurt - he will be 28 this summer is he old now? What if another contender emerges?

The whole point is to keep putting yourself in position to compete. If you're making deep playoff runs and reaching Conference Finals, you stay in the fight and keep taking swings. You don't tear everything down because you fell short once.
  • 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder def. Indiana Pacers (4-3)
  • 2024: Boston Celtics def. Dallas Mavericks (4-1)
  • 2023: Denver Nuggets def. Miami Heat (4-1)
  • 2022: Golden State Warriors def. Boston Celtics (4-2)
  • 2021: Milwaukee Bucks def. Phoenix Suns (4-2)
  • 2020: Los Angeles Lakers def. Miami Heat (4-2)
  • 2019: Toronto Raptors def. Golden State Warriors (4-2)
  • 2018: Golden State Warriors def. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0
We have already touched on the ECF:

  • 2026: New York Knicks def. Cleveland Cavs (4-0)
  • 2025: Indiana Pacers def. New York Knics (4-2)
  • 2024: Boston Celtics def. Indiana Pacers (4-0)
  • 2023: Miami Heat def. Boston Celtics (4-3)
  • 2022: Boston Celtics def. Miami Heat (4-2)
  • 2021: Milwaukee Bucks def. Atlanta Hawks (4-2)
  • 2020: Miami Heat def. Boston Celtics (4-2)
  • 2019: Toronto Raptors def. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
  • 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers def. Boston Celtics (4-3)
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I'd say its one of the worst conference finals teams in recent history based on their below .500 overall playoff record and point differential in the conference finals. The East was uniquely weak this year which won't be the case next year
 
CavsKermit said:
Maybe wait and see how the Knicks do in the Finals before concluding that eclipsing them is in the cards.
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Why wouldn’t it be? They’ve been historically great for a month. The gap’s not all hot shooting and rest advantage but that’s a big part. A lot can happen in a year,
 
CavsKermit said:
The Cavs don't own their picks until 2030. There will be no blowing it up. If Harden can serve as place holder for a season or two, and we can scoot below one, or both aprons, that's what's going to happen. He's opting out. The Cavs current choices are extend him at a lower number, or let him walk.

Mitchell is an all nba guard who has a player option next summer. He's said, emphatically, he wants to stay. If the Cavs have the option of extending him this summer, that's what they're going to do and they're right to do so.

Giannis won't commit to extending here. Do you want to trade Mobley + for a one year rental?

LBJ wants a max or as close to it as he can get. Do you want to surrender Allen, who was +8 and had two monster Game 7s, to rent a 42-year old LBJ for a farewell season?

Are the Cavs even a better playoff team with only Mobley protecting the rim and three poor defenders is front of him?

None of our guys are unhappy. None of our guys are making a trade request. Why isn't the right move to wait until the right opportunity presents itself.
Click to expand...
I wonder if you could get Giannis to a 2+1 with a PO…
 
American Hero said:
I'd say its one of the worst conference finals teams in recent history based on their below .500 overall playoff record and point differential in the conference finals. The East was uniquely weak this year which won't be the case next year
Click to expand...
Do you feel it was one of the worst conference teams due to the players/coaches or how they got there?

If the Cavs had a more consistent regular season with the same record, swept Toronto and beat Detroit 4-2 before being swept by the Knicks would you look at it the same way as 'squeaking by' the first two rounds with both going to game sevens and then getting beat?
 
American Hero said:
I'd say it’s one of the worst conference finals teams in recent history based on their below .500 overall playoff record and point differential in the conference finals. The East was uniquely weak this year which won't be the case next year
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I’m sure Detroit with JBB, Orlando with PB no J and glass other guys, Boston with no bigs and Indy with Shingles Haliburger and no 5 out can find a way to suck.
 
southernflyer said:
Do you feel it was one of the worst conference teams due to the players/coaches or how they got there?

If the Cavs had a more consistent regular season with the same record, swept Toronto and beat Detroit 4-2 before being swept by the Knicks would you look at it the same way as 'squeaking by' the first two rounds with both going to game sevens and then getting beat?
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With all due respect (very little) this bum Hero needs to commit to watching a 20 game stretch of one other East team
 
American Hero said:
I'd say its one of the worst conference finals teams in recent history based on their below .500 overall playoff record and point differential in the conference finals. The East was uniquely weak this year which won't be the case next year
Click to expand...
Right, so the Pacers took OKC to Game 7 of the NBA Finals while the Cavs were completely decimated by injuries... and the conclusion is: BLOW IT UP.

The Knicks are on an absolute historic tear right now. They steamrolled Philly and who beat Boston despite Philly missing their starting center for three games... and the conclusion is still: BLOW IT UP.


I am going to steal something from @Smooth here that hits:

Think there's also a lot more negative sentiment around this team than it should be... 3rd in wins over last 5 years, 6th in playoff games played over last 4 years and 7th in playoff wins over last 4 years.. They're a lot closer to breaking through then not, and if they can't rely on a big swing they're going to have to rely on furthering internal development and better fits around the core..
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Bottom line, I probably shouldn't waste too much energy on this because you seem to consistently find reasons to hate on teams.

From what I remember, you were doing it even during Ohio State's historic run a few years ago.

Some fans are simply never going to be happy, no matter how successful an organization is. That's just the reality of sports fandom.

But you still haven't answered my question:

There hasn't been a repeat NBA champion since the Warriors. Maybe OKC changes that, but the Cavs aren't OKC—and neither is anyone else. So what exactly is the alternative? Blow it up and sit around waiting for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close?

Because that's what your argument seems to boil down to, and I don't see how that's a realistic strategy for any franchise trying to compete for championships.
 
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bushwick_bill said:
Right, so the Pacers took OKC to Game 7 of the NBA Finals while the Cavs were completely decimated by injuries... and the conclusion is: BLOW IT UP.

The Knicks are on an absolute historic tear right now. They steamrolled Philly and who beat Boston despite Philly missing their starting center for three games... and the conclusion is still: BLOW IT UP.


I am going to steal something from @Smooth here that hits:



Bottom line, I probably shouldn't waste too much energy on this because you seem to consistently find reasons to hate on teams.

From what I remember, you were doing it even during Ohio State's historic run a few years ago.

Some fans are simply never going to be happy, no matter how successful an organization is. That's just the reality of sports fandom.

But you still haven't answered my question:

There hasn't been a repeat NBA champion since the Warriors. Maybe OKC changes that, but the Cavs aren't OKC—and neither is anyone else. So what exactly is the alternative? Blow it up and sit around waiting for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close?

Because that's what your argument seems to boil down to, and I don't see how that's a realistic strategy for any franchise trying to compete for championships.
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I don't think the Cavs can even make it out of the east, let alone worry about beating OKC or SA. The Cavs were not impressive all post season long, not just getting curb stomped by the Knicks. Going 7 games with an undermanned Raptors squad was down right embarrassing. If you just go by the numbers (W/L, point differential, ect) the Cavs are one of the worst conference finals teams in history. They aren't close to breaking through. Every time they face a real contender (Indiana last year and New York this year) they're totally non competitive.
 
American Hero said:
I don't think the Cavs can even make it out of the east, let alone worry about beating OKC or SA. The Cavs were not impressive all post season long, not just getting curb stomped by the Knicks. Going 7 games with an undermanned Raptors squad was down right embarrassing. If you just go by the numbers (W/L, point differential, ect) the Cavs are one of the worst conference finals teams in history. They aren't close to breaking through. Every time they face a real contender (Indiana last year and New York this year) they're totally non competitive.
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How many times do I need to ask this question...

There hasn't been a repeat NBA champion since the Warriors. Maybe OKC changes that, but the Cavs aren't OKC—and neither is anyone else. So what exactly is the alternative? Blow it up and sit around waiting for the Thunder and Spurs windows to close?

Because that's what your argument seems to boil down to, and I don't see how that's a realistic strategy for any franchise trying to compete for championships.
 
bdc2014 said:
I wonder if you could get Giannis to a 2+1 with a PO…
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That seems like the least likely of all scenarios tbh. Giannis does have a serious injury history, he's 31, and he's a serious injury away from dramatically impacting his potential earnings. Also, Miami will have the cap space to sign him outright next summer. If that's where he wants to go, why is he deliberately signing a contract that might mess with the perfect window. Within the next 12 months, Giannis can sign a long contract with the team who plays in the city where he and his family want to be and that's what I expect to happen. Maybe there's a small chance Jrue and Dame talk him into going to Portland, but I'd be surprised. The Bucks waited a year too long and unless the Sixers who could pay to dump Embiid, and then pay again to rent Giannis, enter the fold, there really isn't a credible threat at their disposal to get Giannis to be more flexible when it comes to desired destinations.

The Heat offer is good enough to beat most, if not all rental offers.
 
bdc2014 said:
I feel this was an obvious bit
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You haven't been here long enough.

It would certainly seem that way at first glance, but it's not from him or some others on the forum.
 
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