CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the latest episode of Wine & Gold Talk Podcast, hosts Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor, and Jimmy Watkins dive into a potentially seismic shift for the Cavaliers organization.
Two of Cleveland’s most valuable assistant coaches — Jordan Ott and Johnnie Bryant — have emerged as the only finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching vacancy, threatening to disrupt the carefully constructed foundation that earned the Cavs the third-highest odds to win a championship next season.
What makes this situation particularly critical isn’t just losing talented coaches — it’s about the irreplaceable relationships they’ve built with the team’s cornerstone players.
Ott, tasked with developing the franchise’s most important asset, has been instrumental in Evan Mobley’s breakthrough season.
As Fedor explained on the podcast: “The guy that was given the responsibility to oversee the most important player in the organization’s development was Jordan Ott. That’s how much Kenny Atkinson trusts Jordan Ott.”
Even more concerning is the potential departure of associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, whose relationship with Donovan Mitchell extends far beyond normal player-coach dynamics.
Jimmy Watkins emphasized this unique bond on the podcast: “You just can’t replicate the relationship that Johnnie Bryant has with Donovan Mitchell.”
Fedor expanded on this irreplaceable connection: “Nobody currently coaching in the NBA will have that kind of relationship with Donovan. They just won’t. Took years for that thing to build.”
The podcast revealed how Bryant serves as Mitchell’s trusted confidant, with Mitchell consistently consulting Bryant during games.
The situation highlights the often overlooked importance of assistant coaches in maintaining team chemistry and player development. As Fedor noted, “Relationships are important. Chemistry is important. Camaraderie is important.”
The podcast makes clear that while Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson deserves tremendous credit for the Cavs’ success, his ability to delegate to these trusted assistants was a crucial factor in the team’s resurgence. “Kenny Atkinson’s a better tactician and X’s and O’s guys than J.B. Bickerstaff, and he built a better staff around him than JB did,” Fedor stated.
For fans concerned about the future, the episode offers essential insights into the behind-the-scenes dynamics that could shape the Cavaliers’ championship aspirations in the coming years.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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