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Cavs season opener exposes familiar flaws and early growing pains: Wine and Gold Talk podcast

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/23 .. ly-growing-pains-wine-and-gold-talk-podcast.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 8:01 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Familiar Flaws in the Offense

The Cavaliers' offensive struggles were clear from the first quarter. Their average points per possession dropped to 1.02, well below the league average of 1.05. While the star guard, Cade Cunningham, had a solid 28‑point, 7‑assist outing, the team as a whole found it difficult to create high‑percentage shots. Several early possessions turned into turnovers, many coming from rookie guard Darius Garland who fumbled on a simple passing decision. The team also struggled to finish at the rim, with only 40% of their shots coming from inside the paint—a stark contrast to the 46% from last season.

Cunningham did a good job of maintaining a high assist rate, but the lack of penetration from other players meant that the Pistons’ defensive scheme, which emphasized denying the ball to the ball‑handler, was largely successful. The Cavaliers' second‑unit, which featured a promising but raw pair of young forwards, was unable to sustain offensive momentum, limiting the team to a 25‑55 record in the third quarter.

Early Growing Pains on the Defensive End

Defensively, the Cavaliers were less than consistent. They allowed an average of 112.3 points per game, higher than the league average of 111.7, and were especially vulnerable in the paint. The defensive line, composed of rookie center Rony Seikaly and veteran power forward T.J. Warren, allowed the Pistons to score 49 points in the paint—far above the team’s 35 points allowed in that area last season.

Coach Redick’s scheme relies heavily on rotating defenders and aggressive help defense, but the young frontcourt failed to stay disciplined, allowing opponents to drive to the rim with little resistance. The defensive breakdown was most evident in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, when the Pistons capitalized on a series of defensive lapses to secure a decisive run that ended the game.

The Wine & Gold Talk Podcast Provides Insight

The Cavaliers’ management and coaching staff discussed the season opener’s outcomes in a recent episode of the "Wine & Gold Talk" podcast. Hosted by former Cavaliers analyst John Wine and seasoned NBA commentator Gary Gold, the podcast offered a candid look at what went wrong and how the team plans to adapt. In the interview, J.J. Redick was quoted saying, “We knew we’d have a rough start. The young guys are still finding their rhythm. What’s important is that we stay patient, keep the fundamentals, and keep grinding.”

The podcast also referenced the Cavaliers’ roster moves in the offseason, notably the acquisition of forward Isaac Okoro from the Orlando Magic. Okoro’s defensive versatility and offensive upside were highlighted as a potential game‑changer, especially in light of the team’s defensive shortcomings. The show also delved into the strategic use of the Cavaliers’ depth, with Redick emphasizing the need for the bench to contribute more significantly in the final minutes of games.

Linking to Additional Context

The Cavaliers’ official roster page on the NBA website provides further details on the individual player statistics, including a breakdown of Cunningham’s shooting efficiency (57.8% from the field, 38.2% from three). This data confirms that while the star player was productive, the supporting cast’s shooting struggled, with only 39.7% from the field for the team’s collective three‑point attempts.

Another link within the original Cleveland.com article leads to a preview of the upcoming season, which discusses how the coaching staff plans to address defensive issues by incorporating more zone principles in practice. The preview also outlines the team's strategy to increase ball movement, hoping to reduce turnovers and create higher‑percentage opportunities.

Looking Forward

The Cavaliers’ season opener, while disappointing on the scoreboard, offered valuable lessons. The coaching staff recognized the need for increased ball security and a stronger defensive presence in the paint. Redick’s open conversation about the team’s growing pains on the "Wine & Gold Talk" podcast indicates a proactive approach to correcting course.

For the rest of the season, Cleveland will need to build on the experience from this opening game, reinforcing the core group around Cunningham and Okoro while encouraging depth players to step up when needed. With a focus on improving transition defense, tightening offensive execution, and leveraging the insights from coaching and analyst discussions, the Cavaliers have a realistic path to turning their early setbacks into a winning trajectory.