The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t make many big moves in the offseason, at least regarding their roster.
They did make a major decision when they replaced J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson.
That proved to be the right call for everybody involved, as Bickerstaff turned the Detroit Pistons around and led them to the playoffs.
The Cavs, on the other hand, were the best team in the Eastern Conference all season long.
Notably, that’s also why Daryl Ruiter and Nick Pedone aren’t worried about the Miami Heat.
Talking on 92.3 The Fan, the renowned analysts argued that they would be concerned if Bickerstaff were still the coach, but they truly believe Atkinson can lead them to success.
“To me, that’s the difference, is that you have Kenny Atkinson on your side in the postseason this year and not J.B. Bickerstaff,” Pedone said on 92.3 The Fan.
“To me, that’s the difference, is that you have Kenny Atkinson on your side in the postseason this year and not J.B. Bickerstaff.”
➡️ @RuiterWrongFAN and @NickPedone12 preview #Cavs #Heat series w/ Game 1 tonight 🏀⬇️
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/a1MkqQeHMH pic.twitter.com/uz5bpbCyXq
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) April 20, 2025
That’s because the Cavs struggled against physical teams under Bickerstaff’s tutelage, but that hasn’t been the case with this new regime.
Atkinson has brought the best out of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, igniting their competitive fire and toughening both of them up.
This team has demonstrated what they’re capable of this season, but they still have a lot to prove both as a group and individually.
Garland and Donovan Mitchell need to show that they can withstand the physicality of the playoffs, and Mobley has to prove that he’s the best defensive player in the Eastern Conference.
Despite this team’s dominance, some people still think they’re not built for the playoffs, mostly due to their struggles in the previous regime.
Hopefully, that will only fuel their fire and motivate them to prove everybody wrong.
NEXT: Stats Show How Evan Mobley Dominated Heat This Season
