Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cavs: 3 uncomfortable truths made clear from the 2021 playoffs

By Chad Porto

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 04: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 04, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 04: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots over Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 04, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Phoenix’s success proves you don’t need four or five years

In 2018, the Suns won just 19 games. The same number as wins as the Cavs that year. The Suns drafted Deandre Ayton, while the Cavs drafted Collin Sexton. The next year, the Suns bailed on some of their younger players to bring in guys who better fit their team identity. Sure, having Devin Booker there didn’t hurt, but he wasn’t exactly doing it on his own. The Suns were building around him.

They won 34 games during 2019-2020. Then the Suns won 51 games in 2020-2021 and are now going to the NBA Finals. The Cavs didn’t make any major moves to improve their roster in the ’19-’20 season and instead won just 19 games, again. For what it’s worth, Monty Williams has been the Suns head coach since 2018-2019, while the Cavs had four (yes four) head coaches in the same span.

In the 2020-2021 season, the Cavs finally turned the corner and won 22 games. Yay. We’re saved.

The Suns didn’t rest on their young players. They had three guys they liked and got rid of the rest. They didn’t try to rest on the lorels, nor did they just assume they’ll get better the more young talent they drafted. That’s what they were doing before James Jones took over the team and it got them one winning season since Steve Kerr left the team in 2009-2010. With Jones, they went out and got select players that could play their style.

Altman is a man of two minds. He’s both trying to stock up the draft picks like the Suns used to do, but also trying to acquire veterans. Yet, he’s getting guys no one wants for a reason and then everyone is shocked that trades for those players don’t happen.

It’s like sitting at the table during lunch with your tuna and liverwurst sandwich you got the day before in a trade, wondering “why doesn’t anyone want it?”.

Cus it stinks, that’s why.

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