Cavs: the Podcast

Last night, Nate Smith, Elijah Kim, and Chris Francis entered the CtB podcast studio resort to take the the temperature of Cavs” fandom at the quarter pole of the 2021-22 NBA season.

Obviously, the big news recently for the Cavs is the recent four game losing streak and the loss of Collin Sexton for the year to the knee injury. The trio breaks down both and takes a wider view of the season as a whole.

The other hot topic in Cavs-land is Isaac Okoro and his early season struggles along with his sudden role change as Young Bull’s replacement. Chris has his calculator handy while Nate and Eli bring the eye test heat to break down the early returns.

For a bit of fun, the trio also breaks down the second Koby Altman missive of the season, “From the Desk of Koby Altman.” What’s up with that?

Lastly, since it is the holiday season, don’t miss the favorite Thanksgiving food pitches and a quick recap of the gang’s holiday plans. To everybody who reads and/or listens to CtB, have a safe, joyful time with people you love, Happy Thanksgiving! GO CAVS!

We've known each other for so long: old school CtBer, and first time podcaster Chris Lyden (Aka @Leavelander!) joins Chris Francis and Nate Smith in the podcast studio. Until this season, our hearts have been achin' (for some great Cavs basketball), but we're too shy to say it. But we all know what's been going on with the Cavs’ beatdown of the Knicks 126-109. The trio tells you how're they're feelin' about newest Cavaliers from this off-season, Ricky Rubio and rookie phenom Evan Mobley, who both had career nights in the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden. A full commitment's what we're thinkin of, as we cover the dynamic duo. Ricky went 8-9 from deep for a career high 37 points and 10 dimes, and Mobley notched 26/8/9! You wouldn't get this from any other guys!

The CtB trio are also gonna make you understand the grit and grinders such as Dean Wade, Cedi Osman, and Jarrett Allen and the rest of the squad who were never gonna give you up, and never gonna let you down if you're a Cavs fan. Nate and the Chrisses also cover some the surprising stories around the NBA, who’s up? Who’s down? Spicy takes? Who's gonna run around and desert you? They're all here as the trio rides high into the night celebrating a victorious occasion. Don't tell me you're too blind to see it. They don't say goodbye and hurt you if you either, when you stick around for some excellent pitches (especially if you love beer!). We know the game, and we're gonna play it, so as always: GO CAVS!

Tonight, Nate Smith and Chris Francis enter the CtB podcast resort studios to revel in the Cavs' victory, a gritty 107-104 win over the reeling Portland Trail Blazers. Jarrett Allen put together another superstar, MVP type of performance  alongside some sharp shooting and passing from Darius Garland. Nate and Chris break the game down from all angles including breaking out the calculator and dissecting all the numbers.

The CtB duo also reminisce on the week that was in Cavs-land, discussing the brutal schedule and how competitive the Cavs have looked even at their worst. They also discuss the stench coming from Portland, which began well before the season kicked off. Nate and Chris also take a step back with a survey around the NBA, discussing some of the surprises so far in the early going.

And finally, it wouldn't be a Cavs: the Podcast without the pitches. Chris and Nate discuss the cinematic phenomena that is Dune, and Nate finishes with a deep cut documentary on the Sparks Brothers, one of the great unsung musicians of pop and rock scene for the last 50 years. So sit back, relax and enjoy... the Cavs have found a spark!

Nate Smith and Chris Francis hop into the CtB podcast resort studios to break down the Cavs’ opener, a tough loss against the Memphis Grizzlies led by the ridiculousness of Ja Morant, 132-121. The duo breaks down this game from every angle including J.B.’s "Tower City" experiment, featuring Lauri Markkanen at the three, the strange closing lineup, a brilliant night by Jarrett Allen, and the promising debut of one, Evan Mobley.

For a nice coda, Nate and Chris also do a little “around the world” of the NBA, including waxing poetic the greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the somewhat surprising spryness of the Golden State Warriors, and whether the Lakers or Nets should be concerned. And as always, stick around for a hilarious “pitches” segment, because CtB is nothing if not fun!

Korea's own Eli Kim and Chris Francis join the ole' ball coach Nate Smith for a giant squid sized episode of Cavs: the Podcast! The trio breaks down the latest roster moves, the Cavs' lengthy preseason, from the bad loss to the Chicago Bulls to the glorious beatdown of the Indiana Pacers, at the hands of the many tentacled trio of 7-footers the Cavs started: Markkanen, Mobley, and Allen. They lament having no love for Denzel Valentine, but give special shout out to Rickio Rubio's ability to strand opponents on "Love Island."

And for the main course, the CtB trio completes the tour around the NBA with the Eastern Conference edition of Over/Under. Who's up? Who's down? You won't want to miss the Cavs' predictions! Also, Nate, Eli, and Chris give the hottest of takes in their NBA end of season awards (admittedly, Chris may have been doing a bit).

Lastly, it wouldn't be a Cavs: the Podcast without the pitches. Nate pitches a show inspired by the cultural touchstone that is "Love Island," while Eli gives his full endorsement to the Korean drama and global phenomenon, "Squid Game." Chris wraps it up with a heartfelt shoutout for the rock act, Des Rocs.

Nate Smith and Chris Francis make an emergency trip to the CtB podcast resort studios to breakdown the whirlwind 48 hours of preseason Cavaliers basketball action. After an embarrassing night in Chicago, the Cavs were able to grit and grind their way to a victory in Atlanta on the standout performances of rookie Evan Mobley and veteran Ricky Rubio. Nate and Chris bask in their glory, and breakdown both matchups from all angles.

The duo also gives a nice little preview look into the upcoming Eastern Conference Over/Under episode, with a couple of quick assessments of the Bulls and Hawks’ offseason moves. Lastly, Nate and Chris discuss the weirdness of Cavs’ coverage by the television networks, which apparently isn’t just a problem with the Cavs… Adam Silver if you’re listening, hopefully you’ll take a look!

Ole' ball coach Nate Smith gathers up Dani Socher and Chris Francis into the CtB podcast resort studio to recap the first action of the Cavs' 2021-22 season with the Wine and Gold Scrimmage that took place on Saturday afternoon. Naturally after deconstructing the action, the conversation led to speculation about what the Cavs' starting lineup could look like.

For the main course, the CtB trio plays the classic game of Over/Under, with tonight's subject the Western Conference. Join in the conversation below with all of your Western Conference hot takes!

Fresh from the CtB podcast resort, Nate Smith, Dani Socher, and Chris Francis pay homage to the classic PBS television program, "The McLaughlin Group" with their own, wacky, loosely scripted version of the show, except better... because it's the Cavs' Edition. That's right, Chris plays "moderator" to two of the "giants" in Cavs media, Nate and Dani... who go head to head in a battle of Cavs' basketball ideologies with no clear victor, except for the listeners who will be thoroughly entertained as the duo grades ALL of the offseason moves with the Cavs barreling towards the start of the 2021-22 NBA season. The episode starts off cordial and polite, but by the end, there were fireworks that rival any Rozzi's show, (okay, that might oversell it a touch).

And of course, no Cavs: the Podcast episode is complete without the gang's trademark pitches. Nate reminds the world of the greatness of the band R.E.M. especially in live form. Dani, in true Chris and Eli fashion, salutes the glorious land of South Korea name dropping Park Chan-Wook's "The Little Drummer Girl." Chris also reveals his own personal TV obsession, "Lucifer" which is based on the graphic novel series "The Sandman" by Neil Gaiman. So sit back, relax and enjoy two of the intellectual heavyweights of Cavs' world duel in a battle of (t)wits...

The ole' ball coach Nate Smith called a trade rumor audible and rounded up CtB veterans Elijah Kim and Chris Francis to discuss the recent Ben Simmons talk that has swept up NBA fans. The CtB trio does a deep dive into the possibilities (or improbabilities?)... with Nate dropping a deep cut Kenny Rogers and Michael Jordan reference that caught youngins' by surprise!

The trio also lightly touch on free agency and thoughts before the Cavs' training camp begins in a mere three-ish weeks. Be sure to stick until the end for the Tom Pestak tribute "Dad talk" as told by Chris, who offers his own version of "Uncle talk" that'll be sure to make all the parents of teenagers out there laugh, or shake their head in bemusement. Nate and Eli take everyone home with covering the topic de jour, the Bishop Sycamore football team scandal.