The playoff run at a glance
Was it the Cleveland Cavaliers who were too strong, or the Miami Heat who were too weak? Whatever the case, the Cavaliers' cause was undoubtedly not helped by this rushed first round. Yet the team seemed calm and collected, and even the injury to Darius Garland did nothing to disturb a roster built for the title. At least in theory.
But reality came crashing down on the Cavs in the very next round. Favourites against the Indiana Pacers, newly elected Coach Of The Year Kenny Atkinson's players literally shot themselves in the foot by losing their first two games at home, when they were supposed to have made their mark.
With some of their players physically impaired, the outcome of the series was quickly in doubt.
But still, losing 4-1 in a conference semi-final when you're an established title contender is a real shame. On paper, the Cavs had done everything they needed to do to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
With a quality starting five featuring four All-Stars, a bench bolstered by the arrival of De'Andre Hunter at the trade deadline, a coach with fresh ideas and a team on the move, nothing really suggested this disaster.
However, against a team that is the embodiment of the collective, Cleveland undoubtedly relied too much on the exploits of Donovan Mitchell, who was once again monstrous in the playoffs, but too much on his own.
What's more, despite the presence of Evan Mobley, the Defensive Player of the Year, the defence struggled. It was a disappointing end to a season that was shaping up to be exceptional.
The disappointments of the series loss
Absent from Game 2, we don't know to what extent Evan Mobley was injured, but the fact remains that he did not step up to the level expected of the league's future stars. His scoring average plummeted, his best game was the elimination one, and his impact was barely noticeable.
It was a real shame, as it was for his partner in crime, Jarrett Allen, who wasn't very effective at all.
Max Strus, the team's 3&d, finished with zero points... just after his message intended to boost his teammates (see above). In the end, in the clash with the Pacers, everyone was below par, except Donovan Mitchell.
As is often the case in the playoffs, 'Spida' was incredible, becoming the first player since Kevin Durant in 2019 to string together two games of 43 points or more. But unfortunately for him, basketball is played by five players.
The future poses some tricky questions in Cleveland
This is where the situation becomes extremely complicated for the Cavs. Financially speaking, they are already broke. With the start of contract extensions for Mitchell and Mobley, Cleveland already have more than $210,000,000 committed for next season, well above the luxury tax and the second apron.
Which means that, as things stand, this situation offers no possibility of improving the roster. Yet the need is clear: Cleveland lacked experience during this conference semi-final, a high-level veteran capable of refocusing the troops when morale was low. Someone who could have given a real pep talk on the eve of Game 5 to try and put the Pacers under pressure.
The question of how the Garland-Mitchell backcourt pairing and the Mobley-Allen frontcourt pairing complement each other is once again being raised. The Cavs' major quartet will cost almost $150,000,000 million next season, and may have shown its limitations in this series.
Real challenges are emerging for an ambitious front office, one that will have to make some tough choices going forward.
