Terry’s Talkin’

By Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com

Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.... more

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FAQs about Terry’s Talkin’:

How many episodes does Terry’s Talkin’ have?

The podcast currently has 225 episodes available.

Terry’s Talkin’ episodes:

July 01, 2026Why a LeBron homecoming might not work for the Cavs; the story behind Khalil Watson's Guardians arrival
Highlights:
The Cavaliers face early offseason roster challenges, losing key defenders like Dean Wade while monitoring the LeBron James situation.

Rumors of a third LeBron James stint in Cleveland are gaining traction as a strong narrative and positional fit for both the player and the franchise.

James' 2010-2018 stretch remains historically unprecedented, Terry says, for his ability to switch teams and carry two different franchises to eight consecutive NBA Finals.

Terry's concerns surrounding a potential LeBron reunion include James' age, declining durability, and the absolute necessity of careful injury management.

Modern NBA championship team-building has shifted away from "super teams" toward organic development, smart drafting, and savvy trades.

Uniting LeBron, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell would create massive on-court challenges due to their exceptionally high usage rates and need to control the ball, Terry says.

LeBron's off-court motives for returning to Cleveland include catching Michael Jordan's championship count and potentially filming a documentary of his final NBA season.

The Guardians' integration of prospect Khalil Watson highlights the organization's ability to show patience.

Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan is enduring an alarming offensive slump directly tied to a significant decline in his average bat speed.

Minor league prospects Ralphy Velazquez and Chase DeLauter offer the Guardians legitimate hope for a much-needed wave of future offensive firepower.

A comical on-field spat between Austin Hedges and former teammate Josh Naylor underscores Hedges' unifying presence and perhaps the organization's relief regarding Naylor's departure.

The Guardians' starting rotation has defied expectations by remaining entirely stable this season, fueled by masterful drafting, trades, and the crucial game management of their catchers.

A listener email proposes fixing apathetic NFL Week 18 games by incentivizing teams, awarding the winners of the final games the right to host a ninth home game the following season.

Terry cautions couples against the modern "wedding industrial complex," warning that starting a marriage with exorbitant debt invites immediate and significant relational stress.

Some listener emails about autographs, childhood baseball games and family memories.

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1h 11min
June 24, 2026Why the Cavs didn't go after Giannis; can the Guardians find some offense?
Highlights:
The Cavaliers traded their No. 29 draft pick to drop to No. 34 and acquire a future second-round pick, preserving financial flexibility.

The NBA's new "apron tariff" has drastically increased the value of second-round picks by allowing teams to utilize non-guaranteed contracts and avoid luxury tax penalties.

Trading James Harden remains highly unrealistic due to his massive $42 million player option, noticeable physical decline, and reputation for forcing exits.

Massive salary commitments to top-heavy contracts restrict the Cavaliers from executing significant roster upgrades or signing expensive free agents.

Instead of executing a blockbuster overhaul, the Cavaliers' front office intends to rely heavily on internal roster development and cultural continuity, Terry says.

Cleveland was excluded from the Bucks' blockbuster trade because they completely lacked the proven, high-upside young talent required to facilitate the deal.

Terry is hosting a free public engagement event at a newly opened Barnes & Noble in Aurora to discuss his latest reporting with fans.

The Guardians' current offensive struggles stem directly from a devastating sequence of injuries on June 13.

A lack of hitting power and unproductive offensive strategies have led to a shockingly poor 11-14 record for the Guardians in tight, one-run games.

Recent minor league call-ups are struggling significantly at the plate, highlighting the massive competitive skill gap between Triple-A and Major League pitching.

Despite the position's reputation for poor hitting, catchers Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges unexpectedly paced the Guardians' failing offense throughout June.

With Gabriel Arias enduring a historically brutal slump, a listener suggests prioritizingthird-base plate appearances for Daniel Schneemann and David Fry.

Should the Guardians target the promising Parker Messick for a contract extension?

The heavily revamped White Sox have transformed into legitimate divisional threats, presenting a challenge for Cleveland in their upcoming weekend series.

The NFL vs. Brendan Sorsby.

In stark contrast to modern prospects transferring to elite academies, LeBron James famously remained loyal to his local neighborhood high school, elevating it to a national powerhouse.

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1h 16min
June 02, 2026Was the Myles Garrett trade the right deal at the right time? Travis Bazzana and the 2024 draft class
Highlights:
Browns trade Myles Garrett to Rams for Jared Verse and three future picks to secure proven talent alongside draft capital;

Jared Verse provides Cleveland with a highly productive, cost-controlled, 26-year-old edge rusher to immediately step in;

Cleveland’s front office prioritizes a tangible, ascending young star

Complex trade negotiations required Garrett to waive his no-trade clause.

Rams maintain their aggressive roster-building philosophy by sacrificing future draft picks to maximize an immediate Super Bowl window

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders shatters single-year records with $17.7 million in NFLPA earnings. Terry wants to hear from Sanders fans.

Guardians look different this year. Are they actually good?

Guardians capitalizing on MLB rule changes with a highly aggressive baserunning strategy to manufacture runs without sacrificing outs.

Redrafting the 2024 MLB Draft. How does Travis Bazzana stack up?

Tanner Bibee endures a historically unlucky 13-start winless streak due to lack of run support despite elite pitching metrics.

Knicks coach Mike Brown and his Cleveland background are headed to the NBA Finals. Who's winning it: Spurs or Knicks?

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1h 15min
May 27, 2026Why the Cavs were right to stick with Kenny Atkinson; what's changed about the Guardians' minor league prospects
Highlights:
Knicks' physical dominance and high-scoring pace overpowered an exhausted Cavaliers team in the playoffs

Cavaliers retained head coach Kenny Atkinson for consistency after a successful Eastern Conference Finals run

Game 1 loss to the Knicks will linger on Atkinson's resume, but future performance dictates his long-term job security

Atkinson's analytics explanation: What was the big deal, anyway?

James Harden's playoff struggles and guaranteed contract create significant challenges for Cleveland's future roster
Evan Mobley: The secret to an improved Cavs roster next season.

Jarrett Allen proved his toughness in the playoffs and should be valued as a highly reliable interior role player

Exorbitant ticket prices and the prospect of a sweep led many Cavaliers fans to sell playoff seats to Knicks fans
The late Bob Horner's immediate and successful jump from college to the majors in 1978 remains a rare baseball anomaly
Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana highlights the necessity of minor league development for refining essential skills

Tanner Bibee's five-home-run outing was a statistical anomaly against a potent Nationals lineup, not an underlying physical injury

Moving Steven Kwan lower in the batting order relieved leadoff pressure and helped stabilize his offensive approach

Guardians' minor league system looks different with its emphasis on power hitters.

Things we're looking forward to about the 2026 Browns.

And two listener emails about autographs they secured as kids.

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1h 11min
May 20, 2026What Kenny Atkinson should say after the Cavs' Game 1 collapse; a Guardians statistic that will surprise you
Highlights:
The aftermath of the Cavs blowing a 22-point lead to lose Game 1 to the New York Knicks 115-104 in overtime after a staggering 44-11 run.

Is the national media treating the Cavs like the Indians got treated in the 2016 World Series?

What's the best way for the Cavs to defend Jalen Brunson? What Terry would like to see.

New York capitalized on an exhausted James Harden late in the game by explicitly targeting him in pick-and-roll switches

Knicks coach Mike Brown says he has counted James Harden's dribbles to give his team a psychological edge.

What Terry would say if he were Kenny Atkinson.

Cleveland's demise was fueled by 19 turnovers and a stagnant isolation offense that produced only three points in overtime

Donovan Mitchell played brilliantly for three and a half quarters before completely disengaging offensively in the final stretch

The Guardians surged to lead the majors in May runs scored due to the rapid, simultaneous development of young prospects

Top draft pick Travis Bazzana has excelled since his Triple-A call-up, showcasing elite on-base skills, speed, and physical readiness

Young Guardians hitters including Rocchio, Martinez, and Manzardo have shown significant maturity and improved plate discipline

Relocating Steven Kwan lower in the batting order successfully relieved the psychological pressure of leading off and helped break his slump

The ABS system: Is it making baseball less fun? And an umpire writes in with thoughts about why an ABS overturn doesn't mean an ump missed a call.

The Browns must decisively name their starting quarterback early in the preseason to ensure maximum first-team repetitions in Todd Monken's newly overhauled offense.

Listener emails about their most memorable MLB games, and watching a young Reggie Jackson in Baltimore.

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1h 9min
May 12, 2026What Game 4 meant for Donovan Mitchell's legacy; Should Chase DeLauter lead off for the Guardians instead of Steven Kwan?
Highlights:
How did Donovan Mitchell secure a critical Game 4 victory for the Cavaliers? He shifted to an aggressive, highly physical approach, drawing fouls and scoring 39 of his 43 points in the second half to tie an NBA playoff record and even the series.

James Harden's home versus road playoff performances: Harden has been highly efficient shooting and facilitating at home, but has struggled drastically with poor shooting percentages and high turnovers on the road.

Why Evan Mobley's traditional interior game is more valuable than his outside shooting. His dominant rebounding, defensive shot-altering, and forceful rim scoring perfectly complement the guard-heavy roster, negating his need to shoot a high volume of three-pointers.

J.B. Bickerstaff goes off on the officiating. He aimed to plant a seed with officials for future games regarding a massive free-throw disparity while also motivating his roster by demonstrating his unwavering support.

Mitchell's Game 4 vs. LeBron James' famous 2007 playoff game.

What the plus-minus statistics reveal about the Cavs' role players.

Harden demonstrates a deep thinking process about the game.

Originally a defense-first coach, Mike Brown has loosened up his philosophy to create a fast-paced, highly potent offense that maximizes the talents of stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Is Steven Kwan’s prolonged hitting slump threatening his leadoff spot? Should it?

What drove the Guardians to trade a pitching prospect for catcher Patrick Bailey.

A reader asks about the low MLB batting averages. We provide some historical context.

What are the primary factors causing the modern decline in batting averages?

What Terry will remember about former Browns tight end David Njoku.

Jose Ramirez, Travis Bazzana and stolen bases.

And a listener email about his most memorable baseball game with his child.

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1h 18min
May 07, 2026What the Cavs have to change; 'Fat Tackle Bias'; Terry's Guardians prospects you should know
Highlights:
Was the Detroit crowd underwhelming at Game 1 of Cavs-Pistons?

The Cavaliers' historic issues with careless turnovers, including 19 in Game 1, directly fueled the Pistons' transition offense and sabotaged Cleveland's control of the game's pace. They need to fix it, Terry says.

Having Evan Mobley bring the ball up the court helped Cleveland bypass Detroit's backcourt pressure, though he must quickly return to the interior to effectively establish the offense.

Coach Kenny Atkinson: Did he misplay Jarrett Allen's foul trouble in the first half?

Despite the team's struggles, Max Strus provided a bright spot for Cleveland with an efficient 19-point performance and relentless hustle.

Rookie Jaylon Tyson delivered a significant defensive boost for the Cavaliers by effectively slowing down Pistons star Cade Cunningham, earning a plus-nine rating in his 18 minutes.

Detroit successfully utilized its supporting cast to secure the win, with Duncan Robinson's perimeter shooting and Tobias Harris's 20 points capitalizing on Cleveland's defensive lapses.

Head coach JB Bickerstaff has successfully transformed the Pistons through a gritty, hard-nosed defensive identity, leading the franchise to 60 wins and its first playoff series victory in 18 years.

The Cavaliers may stay with a deep rotation to keep players fresh against the Pistons' physical play and the grueling every-other-day playoff schedule.

Terry's names to watch among Guardians prospects.

Guardians prospect Kody Huff is evolving from a strictly defensive catcher into a dangerous two-way player following a massive offensive breakout this season.

There is concern over Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan's prolonged and mysterious drop in offensive production dating back to the second half of last season.

Is it time to turn balls and strikes over to the ABS system? One listener thinks so.

Terry says the Browns made the optimal strategic move by rejecting a trade-down offer from Dallas, allowing them to secure elite offensive tackle Spencer Fano to rebuild their line.

Deshaun Watson: The best solution as QB1 in 2026? Would his success dissuade the Browns from taking a potential franchise QB in the 2027 draft?

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1h 14min
April 30, 2026Is Charles Barkley right about the Cavs? Why the Guardians handled Travis Bazzana's call-up perfectly
Highlights:
Cavaliers secure Game 5 victory through vital second-half adjustments and utilizing multiple ball handlers

Are the Cavs capable of the NBA Finals? Or is Charles Barkley right?

James Harden provided a crucial, unexpected boost by doing the gritty work and securing nine critical rebounds

Coach Kenny Atkinson demonstrates second-half adaptability despite struggling with complex early-game roster rotations

Donovan Mitchell exhibits unselfish leadership by choosing to stay benched to let a hot lineup close out Game 5

Starting Max Strus injects crucial offensive energy and highlights the immense depth and versatility of Cleveland's roster

Enduring a grueling, physical series against Toronto builds essential playoff toughness and organic chemistry for the Cavaliers

Moving local playoff broadcasts to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime causes widespread frustration and viewing confusion among fans

Guardians strategically delayed top prospect Travis Bazzana’s call-up to preserve minor league morale and ensure merit-based promotions

Guardians rely on versatile contingency plans like Austin Hedges and David Fry to manage Bo Naylor's severe offensive slump

Pitching prospects Parker Messick and Gavin Williams successfully evolve from raw power throwers into refined, tactical pitchers

Deshaun Watson leads the Browns' quarterback competition, but major concerns regarding his long-term physical durability remain

Browns heavily invest in offensive line and wide receiver depth during the NFL Draft to protect the quarterback

Coaches who coached in two pro sports: A listener found one. And it leads into a discussion about Jerry Krause and whether his legacy has been treated fairly in the wake of "The Last Dance."

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1h 21min
April 21, 2026The move that turned the Cavs' playoff identity on its head; why it's time the Browns draft early for this position
Highlights:
Cleveland sports fans are experiencing a rare convergence of activity across the Cavaliers' playoff run, the Guardians' divisional lead, and the Browns' draft options.

The Cavs successfully neutralized Toronto's high-pressure style by dictating a slower court pace and severely limiting fast-break points.

James Harden’s low-impact, controlled playing style and what it means;

The addition of Harden has freed Donovan Mitchell to focus solely on aggressive scoring and energetic defense rather than exhaustive playmaking duties;

Evan Mobley has matured offensively by simplifying his game;

Dean Wade provided a crucial defensive impact by effectively neutralizing Brandon Ingram with elite lockdown defense;

The fully healthy Orlando Magic have emerged as a playoff threat driven by aggressive toughness and defensive pressure;

The PWHL's "Gold Plan" draft framework could fix NBA tanking by strictly awarding the top draft pick based on wins accumulated after a team's mathematical playoff elimination.

The fragmentation of NBA television broadcasts across costly streaming services has frustrated fans.

The Browns have demonstrated a 15-year institutional reluctance to draft wide receivers in the premium early rounds. Terry says it's time to fix that.

The trade market for the Browns' number six overall draft pick remains surprisingly uninspired, meaning a trade is highly unlikely until the team is actively on the clock.

Terry has the story on a couple of players with local connections who expect to be drafted this weekend.

Advanced MLB analytics are causing a drop in doubles and triples, Terry reports.

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1h 15min
April 15, 2026Terry's 3-point plan for the Cavs to beat the Raptors; Should Austin Hedges be playing more?
Highlights:
Was the Cavs' regular season a success?

Cavs must prioritize transition defense and utilize their interior size to dictate pace against the Raptors

Cleveland's success relies on James Harden acting as a methodical playmaker rather than forcing isolated shots

Donovan Mitchell's efficient scoring and Evan Mobley's interior rebounding are vital to the Cavaliers' playoff formula

Predictions for the series

Is it time to give Austin Hedges more playing time over Bo Naylor?

MLB's automated ball-strike challenge system has proven highly successful and popular despite slightly extending game times

What should the Browns do with the No. 6 overall pick?

Akron men's basketball ensured seamless program stability by promoting longtime assistant Dustin Ford to head coach

A listener emails a story about Indians legend Joe Charboneau and his compassionate support of an ailing former teammate in western New York.

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1h 18min

FAQs about Terry’s Talkin’:

How many episodes does Terry’s Talkin’ have?

The podcast currently has 225 episodes available.

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