In the world of NBA fandom, there’s always an air of impatience. Success is expected, especially when a team comes off a season that includes historic regular-season success. This was certainly the case for the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose impressive 64-win season left fans with high hopes heading into the postseason. However, as we all know, the playoffs didn’t quite go as planned, and disappointment followed. But despite that, it turns out that the Cavs fanbase still has plenty of faith in the team’s core four players, even if the playoff results weren’t ideal.
SB Nation Reacts: A Survey of Fans
As part of SB Nation Reacts, we conducted a survey with Cleveland Cavaliers fans, along with fans from other NBA cities, to gauge their feelings about the team’s future. This week’s key questions focused on the Cavs’ core lineup. After the team’s historic regular-season success, would fans still be disappointed if the Cavaliers decided to return with the same starting four players for the next season? The results were telling: more than half of the fanbase indicated they would be perfectly fine with running it back with the current group.
For many, this response wasn’t a huge surprise. Sure, the Cavs’ early exit from the playoffs was a letdown after such a dominant regular season, but Cleveland fans aren’t quick to throw away a team that’s shown so much promise. The core four — a blend of youth, skill, and potential — is still in its developmental phase, and there’s belief that another leap could be on the horizon. The key question is: can they take that leap in the next season?
The Case for Running It Back
Cavs fans’ willingness to stick with the same core isn’t just about nostalgia or loyalty. It’s about recognizing the immense upside of this team. The Cavaliers showed in the regular season that they can compete with some of the best teams in the league. They were consistently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and earned the respect of their peers. The combination of young talent, experience, and solid coaching means that Cleveland could very well have another growth spurt if the core stays intact.
Also, there’s the natural expectation that players will develop further as they mature in the league. Whether it’s improving individual skills or building chemistry as a unit, growth is almost always a part of the journey. Fans are hoping that with another year of experience, their key players could unlock new levels of performance — something the team may not have had the chance to fully explore in their recent playoff run.
Looking Ahead: Patience and Hope
In the NBA, patience is often required, especially when you’re building a contender. The Cavaliers’ playoff disappointment didn’t dampen their regular-season success or the belief that they are on the right track. Fans aren’t calling for drastic changes, because they recognize the foundation is solid. The key to moving forward is not just looking back at what happened in the postseason but focusing on the developmental potential that still exists within the team.
So, while many may have hoped for a deeper playoff run in the 2025 season, the fact that Cavs fans are still willing to trust in the current group speaks volumes about their long-term faith in the team’s future. The Cavaliers’ core four players still have plenty of room to grow, and that’s why fans are comfortable with the idea of bringing them back for another run.
Ultimately, the Cleveland Cavaliers may not need to make drastic changes to their roster; instead, the focus could be on continuing to develop the talent they already have. If the team’s key players can take another step forward in their growth, the Cavs could be even more dangerous in the coming seasons, with a playoff run that truly lives up to their regular-season success. For now, it’s clear that Cleveland fans are optimistic about the future — they believe the core is still capable of reaching greater heights.