CLEVELAND, Ohio — At various times this season, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson has talked about his team being “clunky,” especially on offense.
On another occasion, Atkinson wandered into the verbal wilderness of “slog” vs. “slug” to describe his team’s lack of energy at times. It happens when you do what feels like a million press conferences from training camp to the end of the season.
I’ll help the coach: A team can be “sluggish” and that can make it feel like the game is a “slog.”
Or as Atkinson also said more than once this season, “Like we’re running in mud.”
What the coach has been trying to say is, “It’s not been easy this season, especially compared to last year.”
All that is true, as the Cavs opened the 2024-25 season on a 15-game winning streak. They finished with a 64-18 record with a beautiful offense that finished with one of the highest efficiency ratings in NBA history.
The Cavs have used nine different starting lineups this season. They’ve been playing without Max Strus all season and minus Darius Garland for all but four games due to foot injuries. Other significant players have missed time.
But here’s what I’ve liked about this season: The Cavs are learning to win some “ugly” games. They’ve had to do it with defense, with what former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff called “the scrap … the grit.”
While Atkinson wisely pushes his team to “get our juice back” and “bring more force to the game,” the fact is the Cavs are 11-6.
The Cavs are not 16-1 as they were at this point last season, but they are 11-6. I repeated that because it’s worth repeating.
More revealing, the Cavs have played the most games vs. teams in their Eastern Conference. They have a 7-6 record in those games. The only teams in the East who are better in those tougher games are Detroit (7-2) and Toronto (6-4).
Atkinson is right when he says “It’s not smooth sailing now.” But the Cavs have been doing more than just keeping their heads above water.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Houston Rockets, November 19, 2025
Donovan Mitchell is averaging a career-high 30 points a game this season. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Time for some scribbles
What worries me the most about the Cavs besides injuries … is an over-reliance on Donovan Mitchell to win games in the fourth quarter. Mitchell is a superstar. He is averaging 18 points in the second half – second best in the NBA. Mitchell is scoring 30 points a game, which is the most for his nine-year career.
The Cavs have to watch …Mitchell’s minutes. He’s playing 34 mostly demanding minutes, compared to 31 last season. He drives to the rim often, taking hard fouls and hitting the floor. The Cavs can’t afford to have him wear down as the season progresses. He has a history of leg injuries.
The player the Cavs miss who is seldom mentioned is… Max Strus. When Garland was hurt in 2023-24, Strus started in the backcourt with Mitchell. The Cavs were 17-8 in those games. Strus has solid ballhandling skills and knows how to get the ball to the big men. He takes some of the playmaking pressure off Mitchell. Strus will probably be out at least another month as he’s recovering from surgery on a broken foot.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, November 15, 2025
Nae’Qwan Tomlin battles for rebounds.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The Cavs can have an Energy Pack… or at least four guys who can bring energy off the bench: Craig Porter Jr., Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Jaylon Tyson and Lonzo Ball. You probably would want to play only three of those guys at a time, adding a big man (perhaps Jarrett Allen) and a shooter. Several times this season, Atkinson has credited players from that group with reviving the Cavs when they seemed lethargic.
Maybe he is a ‘gem’… That’s what Atkinson called Tomlin, an undrafted free agent signed by the Koby Altman front office. Atkinson on Tomlin: “He’s not afraid. I love his energy and how he’s feisty. He won’t back down from anyone. It’s a speed game now. He fits. … When we were stuck in mud, he was like a race horse out there.
I’m not sure what Evan Mobley … is doing on offense. The Cavs wanted him to take more shots, which he’s doing. But they aren’t good shots for Mobley. Some of them are 3-pointers off the dribble … like Donovan Mitchell takes. Or forced drives to the rim into a pack of defenders. It’s like he’s not certain where the best spots on the court are for him to shoot. He’s shooting .472 from the field, the worst of his five-year career and down from .552 last season.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, November 5, 2025
Jaylon Tyson leads the Cavs in 3-point shooting percentage. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Brad Daugherty is right… when the Cavs’ former center and current TV analyst says the 7-foot Mobley needs to use his jump hook near the rim more often. Also a 7-footer, Daugherty had a terrific jump hook in his Cavs days (1986-94) when he was a five-time All-Star. Mobley should spend time with Daugherty – big man to big man – and find ways to improve.
The Cavs’ top two shooters from 3-point range are… Tyson (.462) and Porter (.448). They also would be the two key guys in my “Energy Pack.” Both have dramatically improved their games, especially the shooting. They already bring athleticism and hustle when they step on the court. Tyson has a chance to be a starter with this team. Porter is doing a great job pressuring opposing guards as they bring the ball up the court.
The bottom line on the Cavs is … I’m not very worried about them right now because of all the missing players, etc. This also is giving Atkinson a chance to find out about Tomlin, Porter and Tyson – and that will pay off later. This team is well-coached. It has strong leadership with Mitchell. Garland has looked good since he came back. They have won eight of their last 11 games. Lots of positives right now.
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