Ethan Sands

The hardest part of a debilitating Game 1 loss to the Knicks for Cleveland is the fourth-quarter collapse was exactly what many feared when the organization traded Darius Garland for James Harden.

The Cavs sharpshooter delivered one of the best playoff performances of his career while battling through injuries, illness and Detroit’s physicality.

By late May, every team is tired. The difference is which players can still move freely while carrying it.

After dropping to the brink of elimination, Cleveland’s Sunday film session centered on one theme.

A season ended with a humiliating sweep, a takeover of Rocket Arena by Knicks fans and a Game 4 performance that raised painful questions about the Cavs' future.

After a crushing Eastern Conference finals sweep, James Harden made clear his intentions in Cleveland, convinced the Cavs’ disappointing finish revealed more about timing and experience than their ceiling.

Two successful regular seasons mean nothing when the Cavs get swept at home in the conference finals, and now the same franchise that has fired coaches for less humiliation faces a decision about its future.

The Cavs are exploring every avenue to improve after falling short of the NBA Finals, but Koby Altman still believes Cleveland’s biggest leap could come from within — as the president of basketball operations identified three players the Cavs believe are critical to the franchise’s future.

Lonzo Ball and Darius Garland questioned the Cavs' decision to reshape their roster around James Harden. Their criticism has merit. So did Cleveland's concerns about health, availability and the limits of its former core.

Lonzo Ball and Darius Garland questioned the Cavs' decision to reshape their roster around James Harden. Their criticism has merit. So did Cleveland's concerns about health, availability and the limits of its former core.