CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s the latest edition of Hey, Chris!
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**Hey, Chris:** Watching the NBA Finals, it seems like the Thunder and Pacers have more winning players who step up in big moments. Do the Cavs have enough of those players? Who are they? And what can they learn from these two Finals teams? _\-- Bruce, West Palm Beach, Fla._
**Hey Bruce:** Indiana and Oklahoma City are both comfortable being uncomfortable. There have been times throughout the series where Indiana has tried to take OKC out of what it wants to do most. OKC has done that to Indiana. But both made smart adjustments, including MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s usage. Early in the series, even in past playoff rounds, Gilgeous-Alexander was the primary ballhandler, generating an abundance of offense in isolation situations. Indiana has forced SGA to play off the ball more, operating out of the post or as the screen-setter for teammate Jalen Williams. It’s not exactly what OKC has done all season. But this series has called for that approach. The Pacers, while staying true to who they are at their core, have also been forced to slightly adjust their offensive flow because of the swarming Oklahoma City defense. These two teams have proven capable of playing multiple styles. They don’t panic. They don’t get rattled. They find a secondary pathway to success while not abandoning their identities.
Depth is another defining characteristic of the Finals. It doesn’t have to be the same reserve every night. That’s the beauty of a bench. One night it might be TJ McConnell for Indiana in the third quarter. Another night it might be Obi Toppin. Another night it might be Bennedict Mathurin. Just need one or two of those guys to provide some support. For OKC, even though Alex Caruso is now playing starter minutes, Cason Wallace can come off the bench and provide timely shot-creation and stingy defense. Aaron Wiggins has had a pair of impactful games. Kenrich Williams has given the Thunder quality minutes.
During the Cavs’ most recent playoff run, especially in the 4-1 series loss to Indiana, it didn’t seem like they had enough playable depth. Ty Jerome, Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro were essential no-shows.
Where are those winning characteristics that have become synonymous with Indiana and Oklahoma City?
Part of it is a mentality. The other part is whether a player’s game, style or skillset can translate to winning basketball on the grandest stage. Not everyone is made for playoff hoops. There are 82-game players and 16-game players. Can those weaknesses be exposed throughout a seven-game series? Are the strengths so powerful that it’s easier to overlook flaws — even live with them? It’s not about production. It’s not about stats. It’s about impact. There are legitimate questions about some of Cleveland’s most important guys and whether they can impact winning at the highest level, in the most pressure-packed environments, where physicality, intensity, attention to detail and mental fortitude become paramount.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell has proven to be a high-level playoff performer.
Sure, there have been past postseason runs where he’s been outplayed or even failed to live up to the standard of excellence he demands from himself, that people around the league have come to expect from a franchise pillar, All-NBA performer and six-time All-Star.
Failing to advance beyond the second round has become a stain on Mitchell’s resume. But some of those losses go beyond him. At the very least, he looks like a championship-ready player, the kind who could thrive in the Finals — if he ever gets there.
Evan Mobley — the young, first-time All-Star and franchise linchpin — continued his breakthrough season against Miami and Indiana. Perhaps he wasn’t ready for the secondary scorer role. He certainly didn’t get enough touches or attempts. But the blueprint for success is there. It’s easy to see his game translating to championship-level hoops.
Keep going down the list. Darius Garland. Jarrett Allen. Max Strus. De’Andre Hunter. Sam Merrill. Jerome. Wade. Okoro.
Strus, for all of his inconsistencies, has been to the Finals. He is tough enough — mentally and physically. He is competitive enough. He is mature enough. He can guard multiple positions. He generates movement, gravity, spacing and shooting, able to loosen a packed-in defense. He won’t get played off the floor.
Hunter, the prized midseason trade acquisition, showed his playoff viability before ever joining Cleveland.
Then come the questions.
Is Garland too much of a defensive liability?
Until the end of Game 2, when he re-aggravated a toe injury that eventually required surgery, Garland was healthy against the Miami Heat. And yet, the Cavs were a significantly better defensive team with him off the floor. At some point Garland will need to prove that he can be a capable defender in a way he has yet to show it over his first six seasons, including this most recent playoff run. It’s fair to wonder if he can ever do for the Cavs what Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander have done for the Thunder, what Tyrese Haliburton has done for the Pacers?
Can Jerome hold up on defense? Do Wade and Okoro bring enough offensive juice? Is Allen tough enough? Can he switch effectively onto opposing guards?
Because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that puts restrictions on spending while also challenging old team-building ideals, this is an era where fit and style both matter greatly. Depth is more important than ever. This isn’t about assembling the most high-level talent, rolling the ball out there and winning.
The Cavs shouldn’t overreact. There’s no reason to make panic-induced decisions. They are a good team. But winning a championship requires something different. If the right deal is available, they’ve got to explore it.
Look at the Thunder and Pacers. Look at the nightly standard in the Finals. Look at the physicality and intensity. How many Cavaliers could thrive? How many look like they belong in this series? The number is lower than anyone would prefer.