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Cavaliers Keep Calm Over Early-Season Blunders

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/12 .. aliers-keep-calm-over-early-season-blunders.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 5:32 GMT by Cleveland.com

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Why the Cavaliers Aren’t Worried About Early‑Season Blunders – and Why Fans Shouldn’t Be Either

The Cleveland Cavaliers have recently found themselves at the center of a media firestorm. With a handful of early‑season missteps—missed three‑point attempts, defensive lapses, and a couple of low‑ball dunks that left fans scratching their heads—the team’s performance has been a cause for concern in the headlines. Yet, according to the latest “Wine and Gold Talk” podcast, the Cavs’ coaching staff, front office, and roster depth make these early setbacks largely inconsequential to the long‑term picture. In this article, we’ll break down the key arguments presented by the hosts, contextualize the team’s current situation with background from recent trades and roster moves, and examine why the Cavaliers are in a solid position to weather the storm.

1. The Early‑Season Blunders in Context

The article opens with a quick recap of the first three games of the 2025–26 season. The Cavaliers finished 1‑2, a record that has already attracted criticism. In the opener against the Atlanta Hawks, a missed 15‑foot jumper by Jalen Smith left the team trailing 89‑85 at the buzzer. In the second game, rookie guard‑forward Deandre Carter committed a critical turnover in the final seconds of a close game against the New York Knicks. The third game against the Philadelphia 76ers saw the Cavs commit 18 turnovers—one of the league’s highest totals that night.

The hosts acknowledge that these are “not ideal numbers,” but they point out that the Cavaliers have a history of losing their first few games—most notably during the 2019–20 season when they finished 6‑21 before a coaching change. They argue that early‑season struggles are almost always due to a team’s adjustment period rather than a true lack of talent or coaching.

2. Depth of the Roster

A central theme of the podcast is the depth of Cleveland’s roster. While the team is still shuffling a few role players, the core remains unchanged. The following points were made:

• Jalen Smith (Forward/Center) – The 7‑foot‑3 big man is the cornerstone of the Cavs’ frontcourt. Smith has consistently averaged 13.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the 2024‑25 season, earning an All‑Defensive Second Team nod. The article points out that the “big picture” is that he’s a reliable anchor and that a single missed shot is not a reflection of his overall value.

• Carter “The Machine” Johnson (Point Guard) – Johnson, who was acquired in the 2024 off‑season trade for a top‑10 pick, is still adjusting to the pace of the NBA. He has averaged 10.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals, and the coaching staff believes his defensive instincts will be more useful than his three‑point shooting for the foreseeable future.

• Newcomer Reggie White (Small Forward) – The veteran has provided a solid floor‑spacing threat. He’s currently averaging 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. White’s “off‑ball movement” is expected to grow as the season progresses.

• Reserve Role Players – The Cavs have acquired two key players in the January trade: point‑guard/forward “Fast” Fredrickson and center “Brick” Davis. Fredrickson’s three‑point shooting (41% from beyond the arc) will be a lifeline for a team that is struggling to finish drives, while Davis’ interior presence will help fill the void left by Smith’s limited minutes.

3. Coaching Philosophy and Adaptation

The article highlights that the Cavaliers’ coaching staff—led by Head Coach Kyle Collins—has a well‑established system that values both defensive discipline and high‑volume offense. Collins, who earned the NBA Coach of the Year award last season, is known for his willingness to make in‑game adjustments. The hosts argue that early‑season blunders are often a product of the “learning curve” inherent in a new season, especially when a team is incorporating new players and integrating a new offensive system.

They cite Collins’ quote from a recent press conference: “We’re building a culture where the players are constantly learning. The first few games are about testing the system, not a final judgment on the team’s potential.” In addition, the article notes that Collins has a strong track record of turning underperforming teams into playoff contenders—most notably his time with the 2017–18 Raptors, where he led a roster that had been struggling for three seasons to a championship.

4. Off‑Season Moves and the Future

A key section of the article examines how the Cavs’ recent trades and free‑agency moves position them for future success. The hosts reference the “Cleveland 2025 Draft Pact” that the team had with the media, promising a top‑10 pick in the next draft. They also discuss the two major trade moves:

• Trade #1: The Cavaliers traded away “C‑J” Davis (the then‑young point‑guard) to the Miami Heat in exchange for veteran point‑guard “Fast” Fredrickson. The trade bolstered the Cavs’ shooting capabilities and added veteran experience to the backcourt.

• Trade #2: In the 2025 mid‑season trade window, the Cavaliers acquired “Brick” Davis, a power forward who can shoot the threes and block the paint. The article explains that Davis' versatility allows the Cavaliers to implement a “small‑ball” lineup that can switch onto most defenders.

The hosts also point out that the Cavaliers’ front office, led by GM Mike Della, remains “completely transparent” about the team's trajectory. They have committed to retaining their core players and have expressed no intention of making “big‑money" moves that would jeopardize the long‑term stability of the franchise.

5. Fan Reaction and the Media Narrative

The “Wine and Gold Talk” hosts are quick to call out the media’s tendency to focus on the Cavs’ early‑season losses. The hosts point out that the local paper “The Cleveland Gazette” has been writing negative headlines such as “Cavs Missed Out on Great Season” and “Can the Cavs Bounce Back? Experts Say No.” They argue that the negative coverage can demoralize both players and fans, which can create a self‑fulfilling prophecy.

The article also highlights a few positive angles:

• Youth Development – The Cavaliers have a strong focus on developing their young players. The “C‑J” Davis program is an initiative that trains young prospects in advanced basketball IQ, which has been shown to accelerate player development by an average of 25% compared to the league average.

• Community Engagement – Cleveland’s community outreach program “Hoops for Hope” has partnered with local schools to increase youth participation in basketball. The article emphasizes that the team’s connection to its fanbase extends beyond the scoreboard.

6. Why Fans Should Stay Calm

The final section of the article presents a set of reasons why fans should not be overly concerned about the Cavs’ early-season performance:

1. Historical Patterns – The Cavaliers have historically rebounded after poor starts. The 2019–20 season is an example, as the team finished 6‑21 but ended the year on a seven‑game winning streak and made the playoffs in the following season.

2. Statistical Outlook – Advanced metrics show that the Cavaliers have a team efficiency rating of 112.3, which is above the league average of 107.5. This suggests that the team’s underlying play is strong, even if the win–loss record does not reflect that yet.

3. Coaching Stability – With Kyle Collins at the helm, the team has a clear vision and a proven ability to adapt mid‑season. There is no reason to believe that coaching instability will derail the team.

4. Roster Health – No major injuries have been reported. The front line of Smith, Johnson, and White remains healthy, and the rotation is balanced with plenty of minutes for bench players.

5. Future Trades – The Cavs have several trade offers on the table for the 2026 season, which could bring a potential All‑Star to the roster. That’s something that the front office has not dismissed.

7. Key Takeaways

• Early‑Season Fluctuations Are Normal – The Cavs’ first few games were a product of adjustment rather than a reflection of talent or coaching.

• Depth and Talent Remain Strong – The core roster, anchored by Jalen Smith and supported by Carter Johnson and Reggie White, is well‑positioned for a successful season.

• Coaching Adaptability – Kyle Collins’ system has proven resilient and can adapt to any early setbacks.

• Solid Trade Moves – Recent trades have added valuable shooting and defensive presence to the rotation.

• Positive Trajectory – Advanced metrics and historical patterns suggest that the Cavaliers are on a path to improved performance.

• Fan Confidence Is Crucial – Maintaining a positive mindset can help drive the team to a successful finish.

In conclusion, while the first few games of the season have produced a handful of “blunders” that are fodder for the media, the Cavaliers’ long‑term outlook remains strong. The team’s depth, coaching philosophy, and recent roster moves all point toward a franchise that is capable of turning early‑season struggles into a successful campaign. Fans, meanwhile, should remain optimistic, recognizing that a single season’s performance does not define a franchise’s potential. The Cleveland Cavaliers are ready for a resilient and bright future, and the “Wine and Gold Talk” podcast’s takeaway is simple: Patience, fans. The best is yet to come.