The Cleveland Cavaliers’ insistence that their ‘process was right’ after a crushing Game 2 loss to the New York Knicks is both baffling and fascinating. Personally, I think this kind of unwavering belief in a system, even in the face of defeat, speaks volumes about the team’s mindset—but it also raises a deeper question: is their process truly sound, or are they clinging to it as a psychological crutch? What makes this particularly fascinating is how the Cavs’ players and coach Kenny Atkinson keep repeating this mantra, almost like a mantra, as if saying it enough will make it true. But if you take a step back and think about it, their process hasn’t exactly been foolproof. They’re a .500 team in the playoffs, which is hard to fathom for a squad that’s made it this far.
One thing that immediately stands out is the Cavs’ reliance on their frontcourt duo, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. In my opinion, these two are the heartbeat of this team—when they’re fed the ball consistently, the Cavs thrive. But here’s the kicker: in Game 2, Mobley didn’t take a single shot in the fourth quarter, and Allen took just one. What this really suggests is a systemic breakdown in their offense, especially when the Knicks were practically begging them to attack with their foul situation. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about missed shots; it’s about a lack of adaptability. The Knicks adjusted by forcing the ball out of Jalen Brunson’s hands, and Josh Hart made them pay with a career-high 26 points. Meanwhile, the Cavs seemed stuck in their game plan, unwilling or unable to pivot.
From my perspective, the Cavs’ process feels like a double-edged sword. On one hand, their refusal to make excuses or blame fatigue is admirable. Donovan Mitchell, for instance, brushed off questions about his health and fatigue, which shows a commendable mental toughness. But on the other hand, their stubbornness might be their downfall. Atkinson’s decision to double-team Brunson, while understandable, left other Knicks players wide open, and they capitalized. This raises a deeper question: is their process too rigid? In the playoffs, where every game is a chess match, flexibility can be the difference between victory and defeat.
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the Cavs have managed to survive this far despite their inconsistencies. They’ve trailed 2-0 before, and they’ve come back to win Game 7s. This team clearly has resilience, but resilience alone won’t win championships. What’s missing, in my view, is a willingness to evolve. The Knicks have won nine straight games, and they’re firing on all cylinders. The Cavs, meanwhile, seem content to stick to their script, even when it’s not working.
If you ask me, the Cavs’ ‘process’ is less about strategy and more about psychology. It’s a way to maintain confidence and cohesion in the face of adversity. But confidence without adjustment is just arrogance. The playoffs are a brutal teacher, and the Cavs are learning the hard way that sometimes, the process needs to change. Personally, I think they still have a chance to turn this series around—but only if they stop repeating the same mantra and start rethinking their approach. Otherwise, their ‘process’ might just be the thing that sends them home early.
What this really suggests is that the Cavs are at a crossroads. They can either double down on their current strategy and hope it pays off, or they can acknowledge its flaws and adapt. In my opinion, the latter is the only way forward. The Knicks aren’t going to stop evolving, and neither should Cleveland. As Atkinson said, the playoffs are a rollercoaster between misery and awesomeness. Right now, the Cavs are stuck in misery—but if they’re willing to rethink their process, awesomeness might still be within reach.
