Lessons the Cavaliers can learn from the 4 NBA Conference Finals teams

Boston Celtics

While the world heralds the beautiful display of talent Jimmy Butler and the Heat have shown this postseason, the Celtics are being held to the fire for their disappointing effort in the Eastern Conference Finals. As the second seed and having reached the NBA Finals last year, the Celtics were heavy favorites going into their series against Miami.

Watching the Heat dismantle the Boston squad, the Celtics looked to have lost their motivation this series, although they did have an impressive win on Tuesday night when facing elimination. By and large, however, their coaching decisions are questionable, and their players do not seem to have the drive to keep pushing consistently. These were the same issues the Cavs faced against New York.

Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was out-coached, and the players were out-hustled. The Cavaliers might have the most to learn from the Celtics, a young team with high aspirations being held back by lingering issues.

The Cavaliers need each and every player who touches the court to fight for every defensive stop and every offensive success. The Cavs need to be selfless in mindset and action, just like the Celtics needed to be more thus far. Secondly, the Cavaliers need to ignore the rumors and complaints. Jaylen Brown has been in trade rumors nearly every deadline, but the Celtics have maintained their trust in the All-NBA talent wing.

Keep your core and build around it. Find the missing role players to complement your star-studded core.

In terms of coaching, though, the Cavaliers and Celtics might make different choices. Bickerstaff has been confirmed to be coming back next season with the Cavs; yet, Boston might believe new head coach Joe Mazzulla is the cause for their failure this year. Mazzulla has been the only major change to the Celtics out of the squad that reached the NBA Finals last season. For that reason, the front office might look to replace their coaching staff first and expect different results.

Coaches are on the hot seat this year, but the Cavs are staying put. If even the Celtics fire their head coach, it might signal that the Cavs need seriously to reconsider their decision to retain Bickerstaff after their embarrassing exit.