Inside the Cavs’ decision to focus on big picture to build a postseason powerhouse
Published: Nov. 12, 2025, 5:20 a.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs have made a strategic decision that’s causing significant ripples throughout their fanbase: November simply doesn’t matter.
Neither does December!
It’s not that they don’t want to win games. It’s that they’re playing a longer, more sophisticated game focused on May and June — and they’re willing to accept early-season turbulence to get there.
Tyson wasn’t the only Cavalier who was ticked off. Evan Mobley was also candid in his post-game interview, admitting that the entire roster is growing frustrated with how the season has started.
“Yes,” Mobley said when asked if the team is frustrated. “That’s natural, everyone wants to win, everyone wants to be the best we can be, but right now we’re not..."
It’s not that they don’t want to win games. It’s that they’re playing a longer, more sophisticated game focused on May and June — and they’re willing to accept early-season turbulence to get there.
Is that not the most Cleveland thing to do?
And they're continuing to do it!
"We’re not hungry enough. What happened to us last year it’s a similar thing that’s happening this year; it’s a common theme, ultimately, it’s on us to fix it. The young guys, the role players, it shouldn’t be us having to bring energy every time, right? Everyone has to bring energy, everyone has to pour into this thing.”
By Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs haven’t been focused on the wins and losses early in the season. They’ve concerned themselves more with the process and finding combinations that could be useful in a playoff series.
Not everyone got Drunk Toby Altman's memo.
Nov. 30:"We’re not hungry enough. What happened to us last year it’s a similar thing that’s happening this year; it’s a common theme, ultimately, it’s on us to fix it. The young guys, the role players, it shouldn’t be us having to bring energy every time, right? Everyone has to bring energy, everyone has to pour into this thing.”
Cleveland player Jaylon Tyson. Even the PLAYERS didn't get the memo!
"Come together as a team, and do your job,” Tyson said when asked how to fix Cleveland’s problems. “I feel like teams want it more than us..."
"Come together as a team, and do your job,” Tyson said when asked how to fix Cleveland’s problems. “I feel like teams want it more than us..."
And other teams DO want it more than the Cleveland team!
“Yes,” Mobley said when asked if the team is frustrated. “That’s natural, everyone wants to win, everyone wants to be the best we can be, but right now we’re not..."
