The Cleveland Cavaliers have faced criticism all season—a common challenge for a historically dominant team. Despite being close to breaking their franchise record for wins, they haven’t earned national respect due to last year’s devastating playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. Many analysts and fans remain unconvinced, treating their regular-season success as temporary and expecting a collapse in the postseason.
One of the most vocal critics is former NBA guard Patrick Beverley. Known for his blunt opinions, Beverley shared his thoughts on Cleveland’s playoff outlook on his podcast. He didn’t hold back, stating, “No one is afraid of [the Cavaliers].” He put heavy pressure on All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, saying the team’s success depends entirely on their leadership.
While Beverley’s skepticism isn’t baseless, the Cavs are the type of team no one wants to face in the playoffs. They resemble last season’s Celtics—lacking a single dominant superstar but loaded with high-level contributors. Boston’s championship run showed that even when Jayson Tatum struggled, teammates like Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday stepped up. Cleveland has a similar structure, with multiple players capable of making a significant impact.
Mitchell, Garland, and Evan Mobley are obvious difference-makers, but center Jarrett Allen can take over games with his presence inside. Add in key bench players like DeAndre Hunter and Ty Jerome, and the Cavs become a difficult matchup for any opponent.
To his credit, Beverley did outline what Cleveland must do to succeed. He stressed the importance of Mitchell and Garland playing strong defense, warning that if they don’t, “they’re gonna lose.”
With just three weeks until the NBA Playoffs, the Cavaliers have bounced back from a rough four-game losing streak. However, to silence their critics, they’ll need more than just a strong regular season—they must make a deep playoff run.
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