Koby Altman, president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers—hoping to avoid being fired. Following an underwhelming postseason, he’s looking for them to rise to the occasion and perform. The Cavaliers rode their strong season to become the Eastern Conference’s 1 seed. They suffered the unfortunate luck of early playoff elimination, losing to the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals. As the organization plans for the future, Altman stresses that growth and focus are necessary to capitalize on the momentum created by their recent success.
Led by NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson, they achieved an incredible 16-win turnaround in the regular season. Their hopes for a 3-1 series lead came crashing down when Tyrese Haliburton hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer, winning Game 2 for Indiana. Altman marked this moment as the emotional turning point in the series.
“That one foul line backout in Game 2, that’s a level of focus and winning that we have to get to. And it’s gonna eat at us, it’s going to haunt us,” – Koby Altman
Despite the postseason setback, the Cavaliers boast a solid core group that includes Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. These players have been as impressive as they’ve been unexpected. Evan Mobley, far from the lofty expectations of his predecessor, almost singularly makes Cleveland an intriguing future looker. Mobley’s breakout 2021-22 production was no accident, as he averaged 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest. His remarkable performance helped him capture the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. With this huge leap, he was rewarded with his first selection to the NBA All-Star Game.
Mobley’s impact was felt from day one, highlighted by his tenacious defense and playmaking creativity on offense. He dazzled in nine contests, having at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each. His potential to take one more big developmental leap will be the key for the Cavaliers. This time, they’re working to go from a proven regular-season success to a deep postseason threat.
Altman understands that the Cavaliers have raised their own expectations.
“I think we can all agree that coming into the season no one predicted us to be (the) No. 1 seed. I don’t think anyone had 64 wins. Because we were so good we recreated the expectation of Finals. I think everyone in here saw potential champions, which is a new space for us,” – Koby Altman
This change in expectation is a tall order and a great opportunity for the Cavaliers. They’ve moved on from simply being a feisty contender. Now, though, they need to show that they’ve earned their place as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
Looking ahead, Altman is intent on bringing about a winning culture that’ll stand up to the pressure of the postseason. Dan knows that meeting these new expectations is critical to their long-term success.
“We recreated the expectation and now we have to live with that. I think it’s a space we want to live in and take that into the playoffs next year, knowing we’re going to have to change that narrative, knowing that we have get over the hump,” – Koby Altman
The Cavaliers’ performance next season will depend significantly on their ability to learn from past mistakes and build upon their strengths. Mobley’s development into a cornerstone piece and Mitchell making waves on and off the floor continue to create buzz for the club. With those skills combined, Cleveland is pulling ahead of another competitive season.
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