New expectations mean falling to play-in is failure for Cavs

Before the season began, the Cleveland Cavaliers were not projected to be in contention for the play-in tournament let alone the actual playoffs. But then the season began and the Cavaliers instantly started surpassing these expectations.

Throughout the season, the Cavs have been in the top-6 of the Eastern Conference. This means that they would qualify for the actual playoffs instead of the play-in tournament.  Given that this has been the case for a majority of the season, the season would be a failure if they fall out of the top-6 and go into the 7-10 (play-in) range.

The Cavaliers have exceeded expectations this season and therefore reset them. Falling out of the Top 6 would be a failure for this talented team

Again, the Cavaliers were not projected to be anywhere near a play-in tournament let alone the playoffs. So you would think that a playoff appearance or a spot in the play-in would constitute a successful season right? Especially considering the number of injuries that the Cavs have sustained this season.

However, injuries are used as an excuse for why a team/player isn’t successful way too often. Every team across the “Big 4” has to deal with injuries to some extent; it’s just a matter of how you as an organization deal with those injuries. If you’re a good team, which the Cavaliers believe they are, you should be able to deal with the injuries and keep the gears turning. To be fair, that’s easier said than done.

Right now, Evan Mobley is projected to be the rookie of the year (ROY). Currently, he is averaging 15.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 2.6 APG. Those are pretty good numbers for a player who has had to learn how to play in an offensive system with two other big men. But if the Cavaliers don’t qualify for the actual playoffs, Mobley could possibly lose that award to a fellow rookie north of the border, Scottie Barnes.

As the season progresses and teams begin to show who they are, fans and media members (including myself) adjust their expectations. For most of the season, the Cavs continued to stay in the upper half of the East, even getting as high as top-3. Thus, just about everyone is projecting them to be a playoff team now, Some fans and media members are even projecting them to possibly win a series if they get the right matchup in the first round. As of right now, they would be facing the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks (3 vs 6). But with the way the Easter Conference is playing musical chairs, this might not be the matchup next week or even in two days.

Based on how the expectations have changed for the Cavs, anything less than a top-6 playoff appearance would result in a failure for this season. In my opinion, the play-in tournament is not the playoffs. You could argue that the tournament is the postseason as it does happen after the regular season is over. However, the play-in feels like the “preheat” before things start cooking in the playoffs. Thus it’s like one of those “Great Job!” certificates you get when you’re in elementary school. In other words, the play-in is just a participation trophy.

When your team makes the playoffs, they get up to seven games against the same opponent. So if Darius Garland were to have a bad Game 1 against Milwaukee, he still has at least three more games to get right. Presumably, each game in the series is going to be different, but you only have to focus on one team. In the play-in, you only have one game. So if Garland has a bad night shooting, the Cavs might struggle and lose. Meaning their season would be over without actually making the playoffs.

But what happens if the Cavs finish 7th or 8th, meaning they’re in the play-in, but still end up making the playoffs. Does that change my perspective of this whole scenario? I’m going to say that it doesn’t. Yes, they would still be making the playoffs, however, they failed to meet the new expectations fans and media members were putting on them as the season evolved.

The playoffs are in sight for the Cavaliers, but they’ve got a tough schedule and a list of injuries in front of them. Can they defy the odds? Here’s hoping so! If the Cavs do get the No. 6 seed and match up with the Bucks, I’m predicting that the series would go the full 7 games. They have to get there first.