Cleveland Cavaliers: Building a Playoff-Ready Team with Strategic Adjustments

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Not all teams can switch gears effortlessly as the playoffs loom. For the Cavs, it’s a process, a steady build-up born out of months of rigorous preparation, experimentation, and learning.

Kenny Atkinson was well aware of this as he stepped into his role as the Cavs’ head coach in June. His discussions with Koby Altman, the president of basketball operations, focused on a single, crucial question: How can this team progress further in the playoffs?

Remarkable early season starts and honors are commendable, but they merely fill the journey towards a championship.

The Cavs (43-10) know well that their true evaluation comes in those pivotal playoff moments.

February is traditionally the period where true contenders begin to separate themselves. Currently leading the Eastern Conference with a 5.5-game advantage over Boston, Cleveland enjoys a unique opportunity — the chance to hone, adjust, and trial strategies with an eye on postseason resilience.

Atkinson, having absorbed strategies from some of the NBA’s sharpest tacticians, is now nudging his players into challenging scenarios so they thrive under pressure.

“It’s sort of in my DNA,” Atkinson mentioned. “I enjoy changing up defenses, throwing in different approaches. This team was fairly straightforward in its coverage last season, and I believe you have to practice these changes during live games.

“I love Ty Lue’s saying, ‘You practice a playoff adjustment every day. You’re always working on something because you never know when it will be needed.’ But for me, doing it during games, not just practice, is vital.”

The coverage of the Cavs remains strong.

Cleveland’s offense ranks among the top in the league, an explosive force capable of overpowering opponents any night. However, they are not inclined to rely on scoring alone, anticipating potential shooting slumps. The Cavs are adapting to win in diverse ways — controlling the game’s tempo, unsettling rivals, and embracing defensive unpredictability.

Employing blitzes, switches, zones, and forcing guards into difficult matchups effectively disrupts their rivals’ pace, keeping offenses unsteady.

Foremost, they focus on defensive communication. Instilling the idea that being loud and sure is as vital as being correctly positioned.

For defensive anchors like Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, this means stepping out of their comfort zones. Off the court, their nature is quiet; on it, they must project assertiveness.

“We’ve adopted a playoff mindset where climbing to the next level is imperative,” Atkinson explained. “One key point in our team discussions was communication; we’re just adequate right now, and these players need to improve.

“Sometimes, they aim for perfection in coverage. Our message is, you guys are the quarterbacks. You’re not always going to be perfect. Be decisive. That’s their challenge.”

Postseason play allows no room for mistakes. A delay of a fraction of a second, missing a rotation, or a failed switch could send a team home early. The Cavs have tripped occasionally, even in victory.

Take Monday’s 128-107 win against the Timberwolves.

Miscommunication between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland led to an easy layup, and Craig Porter Jr. along with Allen lost their man, resulting in an open three.

These growing pains are valuable.

“We’re adjusting to several new strategies,” Mitchell stated. “I emphasized to everyone the importance of communicating.

“This season’s about more than winning—it’s about learning and growing. We don’t practice everything, so we need to test it during games.”

Despite occasional lapses, Cleveland has shown its defensive prowess. Against Minnesota, they kept the Timberwolves dry on 16 initial attempts.

And with the acquisition of De’Andre Hunter — a superb perimeter defender with versatility — the Cavs are only beginning to reveal their potential.

“We’re ranked eighth now,” Atkinson stated about the Cavs’ defensive status. “The team’s goal is to be top five. That feedback is vital to them. ‘Where are we? What’s our score?’ We’re good—not great.

“Hunter was part of our strategic thinking. Can he aid us? With his size, physicality, and adaptability—will he elevate us? Being the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, I love his background, and we’re challenging him to contribute in this sphere.”

Over recent years, the Cavs have consistently maintained their place among the top defensive teams, only dropping below the fifth position once when they finished seventh last year. Their explosive offense and accurate shooting have been renowned for earning them substantial leads this season. Still, the team is rekindling its commitment to its defensive roots. By doing so, the Cavs intend to remain agile, adaptable, and capable of unsettling opposing teams, both offensively and defensively.

Cleveland is preparing to be impervious to playoff pressure. Each strategy shift, every defensive nuance, and all moments of unease contribute to crafting a team steadfast in facing adversity. Atkinson is confident, having already noticed players making strategic changes intuitively.

The Cavs have constructed a roster deemed championship-worthy. Now, it’s about ensuring they adapt seamlessly, regardless of the pressure, maintaining their poise and strategic fluidity when the games matter most.