Hysteria is building as the Cleveland Cavaliers plummet to 14th in the Eastern Conference as a result of a nine-game losing streak. This season has been a roller coaster of emotions, but some are coming to the conclusion that it was all for nothing. Is this accurate?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are being heavily criticized for another ‘failed’ season, but it is not hard to find some positive takeaways for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers are being put through the wringer as various media members continue to step forward with heavy criticism of the team’s future. While there are numerous recent examples, I think this tweet from Sam Amico is representative of the overall onslaught coming from the media.
Cavs have now lost a league-high 9 straight, own just two more wins than last year’s shortened schedule and about 88 percent of the team wants traded. Other than all that, things are great.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) May 8, 2021
This tweet is an incredibly narrow way of viewing the Cavaliers 2020-21 journey. It is easy to scoff at just two extra wins while ignoring that this season was also shortened, in addition to the fact that Cleveland outed 28 different starting lineups due to nonstop injuries. For comparison, the Cavs had just 14 varying starting units last year.
It should be noted that yes, other teams have dealt with similar injury struggles and prevailed. The Brooklyn Nets have boasted a whopping 35 different starting squads and yet rank third in the East, while an even less-talented team such as the Toronto Raptors was capable of remaining competitive with 33 lineup changes.
The difference? Those teams have already built a winning culture that is cemented by consistent veteran leadership. The Cavaliers have neither of those – but they are working on it. It is not difficult to see how the team has improved this year. Simply think back to the offseason and remind yourself of the Cavaliers’ biggest concerns:
- Can Darius Garland and Collin Sexton coexist?
- Was Isaac Okoro the correct pick?
- Does this rebuild have any direction?
I’d argue that these were the three biggest questions heading into the 2020-21 season for Cleveland and these same questions continue to linger over the Cavaliers despite already being answered throughout the year.
It is time to debunk these three myths and reverse the narrative of Cleveland’s ‘failed’ season.