Would you rather make the playoffs or keep the pick?

[buzzdog]

Do you actually think this team doesn’t grind and play tough? Or are you just nitpicking a single game where we played Moses Brown 28 minutes?

Well, last night the team sure didn't grind or play tough. Most nights they do. But in a game that has a huge impact on the whole playoff scenario, the team sucked and didn't play defense against a bottom of the league team. You call it nitpicking? I call it "what happened".

 

[buzzdog]

I'll echo a few thoughts I agree with: How I feel/what I want has zero bearing on anything. Making the playoffs would be good for our current guys, especially if Mobley and Allen can play. Getting the pick as a consolation prize is cool too. These are all fine outcomes.

Exactly.

 

[Derek]

Well, last night the team sure didn't grind or play tough. Most nights they do. But in a game that has a huge impact on the whole playoff scenario, the team sucked and didn't play defense against a bottom of the league team. You call it nitpicking? I call it "what happened".

So, you don’t think these guys deserve to be rooted for?

I’m fairly certain that’s not what you’re trying to say.

I get that’s it’s scary to actually root for winning because it leaves a chance for disappointed, but this is a chance to see some meaningful basketball in Cleveland.

To just scoff at that opportunity and prefer to swap next year’s pick for this year’s pick… man, I don’t get that.

Maybe I just love this shit too much. I want to see these games. I want to be in my living room fist pumping after Garland hits a deep 3 to give us a 3rd quarter lead, or throwing high kicks after Mobley blocks somebody’s ass into oblivion. I want to see Allen throw down a monstrous lob and make the opposing team call a timeout while the home crowd loses their fucking minds.

So yeah, getting to keep our pick is better than a kick in the dick, but give me some playoff basketball, baby.

 

[buzzdog]

So, you don’t think these guys deserve to be rooted for?

I’m fairly certain that’s not what you’re trying to say.

I get that’s it’s scary to actually root for winning because it leaves a chance for disappointed, but this is a chance to see some meaningful basketball in Cleveland.

To just scoff at that opportunity and prefer to swap next year’s pick for this year’s pick… man, I don’t get that.

Maybe I just love this shit too much. I want to see these games. I want to be in my living room fist pumping after Garland hits a deep 3 to give us a 3rd quarter lead, or throwing high kicks after Mobley seats somebody’s ass into oblivion. I want to see Allen throw down a monstrous lob and make the opposing team call a timeout while the home crowd loses their fucking minds.

So yeah, getting to keep our pick is better than a kick in the dick, but give me some playoff basketball, baby.

I always root for the Cavs to win every single game. That doesn't mean I expect them to win. I'm not a bettor but if I were I wouldn't be putting any money down on this team advancing beyond a first round, assuming they even get to play in it.

OTOH the Cavs have been exceeding expectations all season and that's what has been so much fun especially after the Browns fell flat. If they somehow did that I'd be ecstatic and I wouldn't give a rip about a draft pick.

There's a lot of space between that view, and between me NOT being upset it they miss the full playoffs. I won't be upset because I don't expect them to win, although I'll always give this team a puncher's chance.

And if we fail to make the actual playoffs I'll be more than happy to look forward to any hope we can luck out and get a valuable player with a first round pick this year.

TL/DR: There's a difference between rooting for something (and hoping to be pleasantly surprised?) versus actually expecting something.

 

[Derek]

I always root for the Cavs to win every single game. That doesn't mean I expect them to win. I'm not a bettor but if I were I wouldn't be putting any money down on this team advancing beyond a first round, assuming they even get to play in it.

OTOH the Cavs have been exceeding expectations all season and that's what has been so much fun especially after the Browns fell flat. If they somehow did that I'd be ecstatic and I wouldn't give a rip about a draft pick.

There's a lot of space between that view, and between me NOT being upset it they miss the full playoffs. I won't be upset because I don't expect them to win, although I'll always give this team a puncher's chance.

And if we fail to make the actual playoffs I'll be more than happy to look forward to any hope we can luck out and get a valuable player with a first round pick this year.

TL/DR: There's a difference between rooting for something versus actually expecting something.

Who the hell is talking about expecting anything!?

The whole thread is about what we’re rooting for!

 

[Jake]

Although the pick has value, I'm for seeing as many games as possible this season. Sure wish we could have got that sixth spot and a seven game series. But maybe we can crawl our way thru a basement window and come out smelling like roses.

 

[buzzdog]

Who the hell is talking about expecting anything!?

The whole thread is about what we’re rooting for!

Evidently you'll be really bummed out if we don't get through the play-in. You seem to think it's important to be somehow firmly committed and invested as a fan.

Me, I'd be happy if we did get into that first round of playoffs but I won't be at all disappointed if we end up keeping the pick. But I root for my team to win regardless of what I think their chances are. I am a Browns fan after all.

When the Cavs got bumped out from winning titles I thought we could have won and should have won? I was extremely disappointed because I had the highest level of expectations and belief that we would win. This isn't that. I'm not going to get worked up about it, and I'm happy either way, playoffs or pick. I'm not basing my evaluation of this past season on these last few games.

 

[Derek]

Evidently you'll be really bummed out if we don't get through the play-in. You seem to think it's important to be somehow firmly committed and invested as a fan.

Me, I'd be happy if we did get into that first round of playoffs but I won't be at all disappointed if we end up keeping the pick. But I root for my team to win regardless of what I think their chances are. I am a Browns fan after all.

When the Cavs got bumped out from winning titles I thought we could have won and should have won? I was extremely disappointed because I had the highest level of expectations and belief that we would win. This isn't that. I'm not going to get worked up about it, and I'm happy either way, playoffs or pick.

I think you have a gross misunderstanding of the argument.

You already said you’re rooting for the team to win. That means we’re on the same page.

 

[mds]

The thing I'm sure we can all agree on is how much it sucks watching them sputter out and not getting to watch Mobley and Allen play. That and how much the Steelers and Ravens can burn in hell.

 

[KevinLoveFan]

I'll echo a few thoughts I agree with: How I feel/what I want has zero bearing on anything. Making the playoffs would be good for our current guys, especially if Mobley and Allen can play. Getting the pick as a consolation prize is cool too. These are all fine outcomes.

Same view here. My other team is pure dog water, as the Fortnight kids say these days, and have nothing to do except continue stockpiling 373,274 draft picks and hope they suck slightly less next season. The Cavs, on the other hand, are actually in a win-win situation; no matter what happens, guys are going to get playoff experience, or add further young talent. They're tough to watch now with all the injuries, but it's nice to have an immediate future worth looking forward to.

 

[foucault87]

I think its pretty straightforward. No matter what, we saw a ton of growth this season, a revived Kevin Love, an All-D level rookie holding things down, and the future of Cavs basketball. A lot to be excited about. If we make the playoffs, we are playing with either no Allen or a hobbled Allen, no Wade, no Sexton, and maybe a Mobley. We are getting cooked by whoever we play. We also lose a mid first round pick. If we don't make the playoffs, we retain a low lottery pick and can reduce a bit of wear and tear on the guys. The asset play is clearly to miss the playoffs. That puts us in the best position for 2023, 2024 and beyond. I choose tank.

 

[buzzdog]

I think you have a gross misunderstanding of the argument.

You already said you’re rooting for the team to win. That means we’re on the same page.

There shouldn't even be a thread if the question is, "do you root for the Cavs to win or lose?" I doubt there's a single person here who actively roots for the Cavs to lose during a game.

That doesn't mean they might think in the bigger picture they'd rather end up with the pick when it's all said and done. I thought that's what this thread was about. Whether someone thinks the extra 4 games is worth more in the long run than the potential value a mid first round pick could provide.

I think 2 play-in games is worth almost as much as a 4 game play-off experience in the long run. There's lessons to be learned from every experience including falling just short of a goal you thought you had wrapped up. And the pick does have value contrary to some opinions.

Que sera, sera.

 

[Derek]

There shouldn't even be a thread if the question is, "do you root for the Cavs to win or lose?" I doubt there's a single person here who actively roots for the Cavs to lose during a game.

That doesn't mean they might think in the bigger picture they'd rather end up with the pick when it's all said and done. I thought that's what this thread was about. Whether someone thinks the extra 4 games is worth more in the long run than the potential value a mid first round pick could provide.

I think 2 play-in games is worth almost as much as a 4 game play-off experience in the long run. There's lessons to be learned from every experience including falling just short of a goal you thought you had wrapped up. And the pick does have value contrary to some opinions.

Que sera, sera.

Well, that’s what the thread is. There are people rooting for us to lose these games.

The post right above you is flat out saying they would like us to tank these games (thankfully that’s not something in the realm of possibility).

 

[foucault87]

Well, that’s what the thread is. There are people rooting for us to lose these games.

The post right above you is flat out saying they would like us to tank these games (thankfully that’s not something in the realm of possibility).

I dont think we have to root at this point. Its like Thanos now

 

[buzzdog]

Well, that’s what the thread is. There are people rooting for us to lose these games.

The post right above you is flat out saying they would like us to tank these games (thankfully that’s not something in the realm of possibility).

I agree there's no way in hell any NBA player is going to lose on purpose. And I doubt focault is rooting for the Cavs to lose, as much as he's predicting the Cavs will fail to make the playoffs and he sees it as the better outcome long term. At least I'll be pretty surprised if he actively roots against the Cavs while a game is in progress, but maybe I'm wrong?