Wine and Gold Talk Podcast

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down the Cleveland Cavaliers' 141-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. They praise coach Kenny Atkinson for making effective lineup adjustments, highlighting the significant impact of Sam Merrill's return. The speakers discuss how Merrill's presence as a shooter and "connector" has unlocked the offense, making things easier for the entire team. The discussion also covers the team's improved physicality and energy, while noting the organization's belief that their issues are fixable without drastic roster or coaching changes. Despite the positive performance, the hosts remain cautious, emphasizing that the team must sustain this level of play against tougher opponents to prove a true turnaround. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent victory over the Charlotte Hornets, highlighting the positive offensive performance and key player contributions. They also delve into the team's defensive struggles, the importance of rebounding and the physicality needed to improve their game. Looking ahead, they emphasize the need for the Cavs to bank wins as they face upcoming challenges, particularly with player health concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins react to the Cavaliers' third straight loss to a sub-.500 team — their latest being a dispiriting showing against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. The conversation centers on a team that looks increasingly disconnected, with a defense that can't sustain effort, possessions that die on the vine and an identity that remains undefined months into the season. The guys examine why Cleveland continues to lose the plot against lesser opponents, including uneven play from key rotation pieces like De'Andre Hunter and a growing list of questions surrounding Kenny Atkinson's in-game decisions. They also dig into the larger implications: whether the belief that carried last season's group has cracked, how fragile the current culture feels, and why the margin for patience is shrinking. With the Cavaliers carrying one of the league's most expensive payrolls, Dan Gilbert's reported dissatisfaction looms in the background — even as the reality of the CBA makes meaningful roster fixes far more complicated than they sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins are joined by The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi for a wide-ranging NBA conversation that quickly turns into a reality check for the Cavaliers. Drawing on his time covering OKC, Lorenzi breaks down how the Thunder have built a dynasty-in-waiting through elite organizational alignment, patient player development and ruthless asset management. That framework casts an uncomfortable light on Cleveland. The group examines the Cavs' lack of a clear identity, inconsistent execution and stalled growth from key pillars like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. They come to the conclusion that as currently constructed, the Cavaliers are not championship contenders — and teams like the Thunder have permanently raised the bar for what it takes to win in today's NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor discuss the Cavs' latest disappointing loss falling 127-111 to the struggling Chicago Bulls. Cleveland has tried nearly everything to snap out of its funk — player-led meetings, lineup tweaks and messaging shifts — yet the same issues persist on both ends of the floor. The conversation centers on a hard question the Cavs can no longer avoid: what evidence actually supports the “defense-first” label they continue to lean on? Sands and Fedor push back on comparisons to teams that eventually played their way out of early-season struggles and into deep playoff runs, noting that this Cleveland roster has yet to show it can consistently defend, let alone impose itself as an elite team. Until that proof shows up, the Cavs aren't unlucky or unfinished — they're unresolved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins dig into the Cavaliers' growing inconsistency and lack of urgency, framing the upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bulls as a revealing “Cavs vs. Cavs” moment. With Evan Mobley sidelined, the conversation sharpens around Jarrett Allen and the opportunity in front of him. This isn't just about filling minutes but whether Allen can anchor a team that continues to search for its baseline effort — this two-to-four week stretch presents a clear test of how much Allen can shape a winning outcome when the margin for error is minimal. Sands and Watkins also push for a change in the starting lineup to shift the opening dynamic and discuss why the Bulls are another valiant test for Cleveland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, Ethan Sands discusses the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing 119-111 overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The host expresses concern over the team's inconsistent habits, questionable coaching decisions by Kenny Atkinson, and over-reliance on Donovan Mitchell. The discussion highlights the team's struggles against weaker opponents, the impact of injuries to Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, and the failure to establish a consistent identity a third of the way into the season. Despite public statements from players and coaches downplaying any crisis, the episode argues that the team's performance, particularly going scoreless in overtime, is a significant cause for alarm. The conversation also touches on potential moves at the upcoming trade deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cleveland Cavaliers' narrow 130-126 win over the Washington Wizards and why it felt like a continuation of their inconsistency. Coming off a five-day break designed to clean up defensive issues, the Cavs instead delivered one of their sloppiest performances of the season, leaning on yet another superhero effort from Donovan Mitchell just to escape with a win. The conversation also dives into coaching decisions that are becoming increasingly questionable — and what it all says about Cleveland's standards moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down why the Cavs' final 10 games before the New Year represent Cleveland's first real adversity check. Coming off a five-day break filled with pointed film sessions, blunt messaging and a renewed emphasis on accountability, the Cavs now face a six-game run against sub-.500 opponents followed by four tougher matchups to close out December. The duo digs into what this stretch means for a group that has spent the season talking about mental toughness and maturity — and why those themes will finally be tested in real time. They discuss the latest on Darius Garland's toe, how Kenny Atkinson is challenging the roster, especially Evan Mobley, and what responding to early-season adversity would reveal about the team's mental growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins discuss the performance and perception of the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office. They begin by analyzing the on-court impact of losing Ty Jerome's bench scoring and Isaac Okoro's point-of-attack defense, noting how the front office has found capable, low-cost replacements like Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. The conversation then shifts to a survey by The Athletic that ranked all NBA front offices. Finally, they touch on the future of the team, questioning if younger stars like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are on the same championship timeline as Donovan Mitchell, which could complicate future contract decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing 14-11 start to the season. They analyze the team's lack of mental toughness, inconsistent effort and a perceived sense of entitlement as the primary reasons for their struggles. The conversation covers how the team is using a five-day break for a "reset" with player-led meetings and tough film sessions. They also touch on the increasingly competitive landscape of the Eastern Conference, which raises the stakes for the Cavs to improve their performance and playoff seeding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cavs' 99-94 loss to an injury-ravaged Warriors team on Saturday sparked one of the sharpest debates between host Ethan Sands and Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. To Sands, the night felt more like cold shooting than collapse. But when Chris Fedor weighed in, the tone shifted, and the conversation spiraled into a deeper examination of Cleveland's 11 losses and which one has truly defined their season so far. Was this just a blip on a back-to-back or the biggest warning sign yet? The answers aren't simple, but the debate might reveal more about where the Cavs are headed than the box score ever could. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, host Ethan Sands breaks down the Cleveland Cavaliers' 130-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs, exploring how the team finally turned words into action by attacking the rim. After a slow start, the Cavs flipped the script in the third quarter by attacking the paint and deploying yet another bench unit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor react to the Cavs' 10th loss of the season, digging into the latest setback and examining the patterns that keep resurfacing — from the team's lack of a consistent identity to the lapses in transition defense and physicality. They discuss the Cavs' overwhelming dependence on Donovan Mitchell, the uneven play from the supporting cast, and how rotation choices are impacting rhythm and competitiveness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers' 135-119 win in Indiana. They dig into the team's response after Jaylon Tyson publicly challenged the group's hunger, why Donovan Mitchell's 40-point night mattered beyond the box score and how Tyson backed up his words with one of his most complete games. The discussion also turns to the bigger-picture questions about how emerging young pieces might reshape the rotation as the season wears on. Monday was the kind of win the Cavs needed. But it wasn't the kind of win that fixes everything — and the guys explain why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands and guest Spencer Davies break down why Cleveland's habits, effort level and approach simply don't match the expectations of a team that talks about contending but hasn't proven anything yet. It's a conversation built around what the Cavs need to fix before it's too late. They take a hard look at Sunday's loss to the Celtics. But they also delve into the bigger picture. The recurring slow starts, the lack of urgency from star players and the uncomfortable truth that the team's energy is often coming from its youngest, least-paid players. Sands and Davies examine why the Cavs' current mindset is dangerous — and how the same bad habits that show up in December become the reasons you get humbled in April and May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands, stuck in late-night Atlanta traffic, turns his car into a rolling think tank. He breaks down the Cavs' 130-123 loss to the Hawks, which knocked Cleveland out of the NBA Cup and wonders how a team that just had a Thanksgiving recharge still looked like it needed a nap. From sloppy transition defense to a persistent energy problem, Sands calls out the patterns that keep tripping up the Cavaliers. As brake lights stretch for miles, Sands asks the uncomfortable question: why does this team need chaos to wake up? And seriously … how many red lights does it take to fix transition defense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor answer questions from Subtext subscribers, focusing on Kenny Atkinson's start to the season. They dig into his rotations, his experimental decisions, and how the Cavs' avalanche of injuries has shaped everything around him. They also dive into a long-term debate at the heart of Cleveland's future: whether Darius Garland or Evan Mobley carries more weight in the team's championship path. The guys then look at the Cavs' depth, examining which bench players have played their way into firmer rotation roles once everyone is healthy. To wrap up, Ethan and Chris lighten the mood with a holiday twist — ranking their favorite and least favorite cities to cover a Christmas game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dig into the Cavs' 110–99 loss in Toronto — a night defined by a gutted rotation, mounting fatigue and another standout showing from Nae'Qwan Tomlin. With seven players out, the two-way forward delivered again, pushing the conversation toward a bigger decision: should the Cavs ink Tomlin before the trade deadline or keep that roster spot open for a potential buyout addition, as they've done in recent years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands unpacks a Sunday night in Cleveland that felt like a celebration of the city's past, present, and future. From the Browns sparking early buzz with Shedeur Sanders' historic debut win to the warm nostalgia surrounding the returns of Tyronn Lue and Chris Paul's farewell tour, Rocket Arena was fully charged with energy and electricity. Against that backdrop, Sands dives into the Cavaliers' composed 120–105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. He breaks down Cleveland's disciplined defensive game plan against James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell's effortless scoring and leadership, and the continued evolution of De'Andre Hunter as a more confident and willing playmaker compared to his role in Atlanta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers' 120-109 win over an injury-depleted Pacers squad — a familiar postseason foe, even if this rematch lacked its usual punch. The hosts explain why the victory, while necessary, didn't reveal much about where the Cavs truly stand and instead underscored how central Darius Garland remains to everything they do. They dive into Jaylon Tyson's jolt of energy, De'Andre Hunter's steady two-way value, and Evan Mobley's assertive night, while emphasizing the need for Mobley to bring that same force against top-tier competition. The episode also explores the intriguing early chemistry between Lonzo Ball and Garland and the complications surrounding both of their injury histories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dive into the Cavaliers' puzzling run of slow starts and what might fix them — from possible rotation tweaks to the looming boost of Darius Garland's return. They break down the offense's stagnation and why Evan Mobley's stalled growth remains the biggest obstacle between Cleveland and real championship credibility. The guys also explore the noticeably more serious tone around the locker room this season, pointing to injuries, heightened expectations, and the missing spark of Garland's infectious joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down the Cavs' 114-104 loss to the Rockets and tackle a growing concern about how opponents view them before stepping foot in the building. They also dig into Cleveland's wavering identity, Kenny Atkinson's increasingly pointed critiques, and why the team's lack of toughness is becoming a defining storyline. They also examine Evan Mobley's developmental stall — his free-throw struggles, shaken confidence, and the pressure on him to grow into the star this roster needs. A blunt conversation about where the Cavs stand, how they're viewed around the league and what has to change before things slip further. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down the Cavs' 114-104 loss to the Rockets and tackle a growing concern about how opponents view them before stepping foot in the building. They also dig into Cleveland's wavering identity, Kenny Atkinson's increasingly pointed critiques, and why the team's lack of toughness is becoming a defining storyline. They also examine Evan Mobley's developmental stall — his free-throw struggles, shaken confidence, and the pressure on him to grow into the star this roster needs. A blunt conversation about where the Cavs stand, how they're viewed around the league and what has to change before things slip further. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins dive into the NBA's $100,000 fine against the Cavaliers for resting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley — and they don't hold back. They then break down why Houston's physical, slow-paced, smashmouth style is a true challenge for a Cleveland team still searching for consistency, struggling on the glass, and hearing its head coach repeatedly call the offense “clunky.” It's a fiery episode packed with honesty, frustration, and a hard look at whether the Cavs are ready for a “come to Jesus” moment against one of the league's toughest teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down why Cleveland's offense still feels clunky, why Evan Mobley's uneven growth remains the swing factor in their championship hopes, and what to make of Jarrett Allen's shrinking role in fourth quarters — including whether it signals a bigger shift in the organization's plans. They also dig into whether this team has truly earned the right to coast through the regular season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor delve into whether the Cavaliers should recenter their rotations around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. This pairing served as last season's most reliable blueprint. The conversation explores why Mitchell–Mobley minutes continue to show the clearest path to stability, what went missing when their partnership drifted this season, and how recalibrating the rotation around their two-man actions could restore the offensive flow and defensive backbone the Cavs lack. They also examine Mobley's responsibility in this equation — his aggression, his tone-setting, and why Cleveland's ceiling rises and falls with his ability to assert himself for full games rather than brief bursts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins dig into the Cavs' 126–113 loss to the Raptors — a game that exposed more than just tired legs on a back-to-back. The guys explore the growing gap between who the Cavs say they want to be and the habits they keep falling back into. They break down the lack of competitive fire, concerning nights from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and the identity cracks that keep resurfacing for a team with championship expectations. Mindset. Accountability. Are the Cavs actually building toward a deep playoff run, or quietly drifting away from contender principles? Ethan and Jimmy debate it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dive into how the Cavaliers depleted roster pulled off an unlikely win in Miami. With five key players sidelined, Cleveland leaned on its depth as Jarrett Allen anchored the defense and Craig Porter Jr. delivered a historic night. The conversation explores how the bench's breakout performance could reshape Kenny Atkinson's rotation decisions, build long-term trust down the lineup, and reveal the team's evolving identity under adversity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this 'Hey, Chris!' rendition of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor answer questions from subtext subscribers and fans about Darius Garland's toe injury, defensive lapses and more. The bigger story? The Cavs are playing the long game, focusing on playoff readiness over November wins, a strategy that's already stirring debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cleveland Cavaliers' 140-138 overtime loss to the Miami Heat. The primary focus is the re-injury of Darius Garland's left big toe and the concern within the organization about his recovery. The discussion also covers questionable officiating that led to Kenny Atkinson's ejection, the team's offensive struggles to drive to the basket, and a critique of late-game coaching decisions, particularly the minimal fourth-quarter minutes for center Jarrett Allen and the inconsistent aggression of Evan Mobley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands breaks down the Cavs' 128–122 comeback victory over the Chicago Bulls. Sands dives into how the Cavs kept their composure in a foul-heavy, physical game, what this performance says about their early-season growth, and provides key injury updates on Garland, Larry Nance Jr., and Max Strus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins answer questions from subtext subscribers, discussing the emergence of Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill and how their early-season impact has deepened Cleveland's rotation — and raised new questions about it. With contributors stepping into bigger roles, the crew debates whether anyone, including Max Strus or Dean Wade, could find themselves on the chopping block. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down why no defense is safe against the Cavaliers' recharged backcourt. They discuss Darius Garland's return, Donovan Mitchell's effortless 46-point performance, and how the team's returning offensive rhythm is revitalizing Cleveland's attack. The trio also spotlight Jarrett Allen's toughness, Sam Merrill's spark, and the nostalgic buzz from the Cavs' classic jerseys at Rocket Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the latest on Darius Garland's status as the Cavaliers' All-Star guard inches closer to returning from offseason toe surgery. The hosts dive into his recovery progress, the likelihood of a minutes restriction, and what it really means to be healthy versus game-ready. They also explore how Garland's pace, playmaking, and control could rejuvenate a Cleveland offense that's struggled to find rhythm without him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers' 117-109 win over the Hawks. Another night Donovan Mitchell had to save them. His “superhero” return masked a team firing up 57 threes and still searching for an offensive rhythm without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. The guys question how long Cleveland can lean on Mitchell's heroics and chaos from deep because this version of Cavs basketball isn't built to last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Wine and Gold Talk, Ethan Sands dives into De'Andre Hunter's growth as a creator, particularly with the backcourt shorthanded. The 112–101 loss to Toronto revealed both the team's resilience and its lingering issues but also offered valuable learning moments for players stepping into larger roles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spirit of Halloween, the latest episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast dives into whether the Cavs have enough edge or if they're still too friendly to strike fear in opponents. Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the team's missing enforcer presence and the need for certain players to show a little more selfishness as they debate what it'll take to turn this talented roster into a tougher, more ruthless version of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dive into the Cavaliers' 125-105 loss to Boston and what it revealed. From Cleveland's mounting rebounding crisis to Evan Mobley's uneven offensive evolution, the hosts break down the Cavs' early-season struggles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands is joined by Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press to discuss the Cavaliers' win over the Pistons. They dig into how Cleveland's defense while delving into the rise of full-court pressure defenses and whether the NBA should shorten its 82-game schedule. Sankofa also offers an insider's look at Detroit's rebuild and the Eastern Conference playoff landscape ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers' 118-113 home-opening win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The central theme of their discussion is the team's increased focus on accountability, starting with Kenny Atkinson setting a tone in training camp. They also touch on the team's improved depth, versatility in lineups, and new offensive wrinkles that will allow them to counter opposing defenses' adjustments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands breaks down the Cavaliers' first win of the season over the Brooklyn Nets. Sands dives into Cleveland's recurring habit of building big leads, then letting teams back in. He highlights the positives — a free-flowing offense and Donovan Mitchell's poised efficiency — while calling out defensive lapses and rebounding concerns. The podcast evaluates individual performances while emphasizing the central theme that the Cavs must build championship habits and play with conviction for all 48 minutes to have success late into the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor, and Jimmy Watkins break down why the Cavaliers' offense looked disjointed and overly isolation-heavy in their season-opening loss to New York — a far cry from the motion-based system they've been preaching. The crew also dives into Cleveland's defensive lapses on the perimeter and whether early-season workloads for the stars are cause for concern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cleveland Cavaliers' 119-111 season-opening loss to the New York Knicks. They discuss how the team's familiar struggles with physicality and rebounding resurfaced, particularly criticizing Jarrett Allen's performance. The conversation also focuses on the team's offensive "growing pains" due to injuries and the challenge of finding a balance between an Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell led offense. Despite the loss, they note it's only the first game and that facing adversity early could be beneficial for the team's development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices