Kenny Atkinson speak on the ‘fear’ that the Cavs have this season

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson spoke about his team’s humility as it’s been battle-tested in the playoffs, sharing that the Cavs have an “appropriate fear” for what is coming.

“I think with this record, you are thinking about playoffs,” Atkinson said. “If you’re fighting for fifth or sixth place, you’re probably like, ‘Forget playoffs; we just have to make it and survive.’ It’s a different situation for [us].

“This team’s been battle-tested in the playoffs, and that leads to a certain humility. We have an appropriate fear for what’s coming and know any slippage can cost us later.”

The Cavs earned the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference in each of the last two seasons, but they have won just one playoff series.

In the 2022-23 season (Donovan Mitchell’s first in Cleveland), the Cavs lost to the New York Knicks in just five games in the first round of the playoffs. Then, last season, the Cavs beat the Orlando Magic in seven games in the first round before getting knocked out in five games by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

It appears that those playoff losses are being used as motivation by Atkinson and the Cavs this season.

While Atkinson is in his first season as the Cavs’ head coach, he clearly knows that Cleveland can’t let up despite its amazing start to the 2024-25 season. Cleveland currently holds the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 31-4 record.

Earning the No. 1 seed in the East would be huge for the Cavs. Not only would it give the franchise home court until at least the NBA Finals, but it could also help it avoid an early matchup with the defending champion Celtics.

Boston currently holds the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and if the current standings hold at No. 1 and No. 2, the Cavs and Celtics would start the playoffs on opposite ends of the bracket.

Cleveland has a huge matchup coming up on Wednesday night, as it’ll take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder hold the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a 30-5 record, and they’ve won 15 straight games heading into this matchup.

The Cavs and Thunder are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. EST in Cleveland on Jan. 8.