In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down the Cavs’ 114-104 loss to the Rockets and tackle a growing concern about how opponents view them before stepping foot in the building. They also dig into Cleveland’s wavering identity, Kenny Atkinson’s increasingly pointed critiques, and why the team’s lack of toughness is becoming a defining storyline. They also examine Evan Mobley’s developmental stall — his free-throw struggles, shaken confidence, and the pressure on him to grow into the star this roster needs. A blunt conversation about where the Cavs stand, how they’re viewed around the league and what has to change before things slip further. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins dive into the NBA’s $100,000 fine against the Cavaliers for resting Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley — and they don’t hold back. They then break down why Houston’s physical, slow-paced, smashmouth style is a true challenge for a Cleveland team still searching for consistency, struggling on the glass, and hearing its head coach repeatedly call the offense “clunky.” It’s a fiery episode packed with honesty, frustration, and a hard look at whether the Cavs are ready for a “come to Jesus” moment against one of the league’s toughest teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down why Cleveland’s offense still feels clunky, why Evan Mobley’s uneven growth remains the swing factor in their championship hopes, and what to make of Jarrett Allen’s shrinking role in fourth quarters — including whether it signals a bigger shift in the organization’s plans. They also dig into whether this team has truly earned the right to coast through the regular season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor delve into whether the Cavaliers should recenter their rotations around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. This pairing served as last season’s most reliable blueprint. The conversation explores why Mitchell–Mobley minutes continue to show the clearest path to stability, what went missing when their partnership drifted this season, and how recalibrating the rotation around their two-man actions could restore the offensive flow and defensive backbone the Cavs lack. They also examine Mobley’s responsibility in this equation — his aggression, his tone-setting, and why Cleveland’s ceiling rises and falls with his ability to assert himself for full games rather than brief bursts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Jimmy Watkins dig into the Cavs’ 126–113 loss to the Raptors — a game that exposed more than just tired legs on a back-to-back. The guys explore the growing gap between who the Cavs say they want to be and the habits they keep falling back into. They break down the lack of competitive fire, concerning nights from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and the identity cracks that keep resurfacing for a team with championship expectations. Mindset. Accountability. Are the Cavs actually building toward a deep playoff run, or quietly drifting away from contender principles? Ethan and Jimmy debate it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dive into how the Cavaliers depleted roster pulled off an unlikely win in Miami. With five key players sidelined, Cleveland leaned on its depth as Jarrett Allen anchored the defense and Craig Porter Jr. delivered a historic night. The conversation explores how the bench’s breakout performance could reshape Kenny Atkinson’s rotation decisions, build long-term trust down the lineup, and reveal the team’s evolving identity under adversity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this 'Hey, Chris!' rendition of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor answer questions from subtext subscribers and fans about Darius Garland’s toe injury, defensive lapses and more. The bigger story? The Cavs are playing the long game, focusing on playoff readiness over November wins, a strategy that’s already stirring debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cleveland Cavaliers' 140-138 overtime loss to the Miami Heat. The primary focus is the re-injury of Darius Garland's left big toe and the concern within the organization about his recovery. The discussion also covers questionable officiating that led to Kenny Atkinson's ejection, the team's offensive struggles to drive to the basket, and a critique of late-game coaching decisions, particularly the minimal fourth-quarter minutes for center Jarrett Allen and the inconsistent aggression of Evan Mobley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands breaks down the Cavs’ 128–122 comeback victory over the Chicago Bulls. Sands dives into how the Cavs kept their composure in a foul-heavy, physical game, what this performance says about their early-season growth, and provides key injury updates on Garland, Larry Nance Jr., and Max Strus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins answer questions from subtext subscribers, discussing the emergence of Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill and how their early-season impact has deepened Cleveland’s rotation — and raised new questions about it. With contributors stepping into bigger roles, the crew debates whether anyone, including Max Strus or Dean Wade, could find themselves on the chopping block. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins break down why no defense is safe against the Cavaliers’ recharged backcourt. They discuss Darius Garland’s return, Donovan Mitchell’s effortless 46-point performance, and how the team’s returning offensive rhythm is revitalizing Cleveland’s attack. The trio also spotlight Jarrett Allen’s toughness, Sam Merrill’s spark, and the nostalgic buzz from the Cavs’ classic jerseys at Rocket Arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the latest on Darius Garland’s status as the Cavaliers’ All-Star guard inches closer to returning from offseason toe surgery. The hosts dive into his recovery progress, the likelihood of a minutes restriction, and what it really means to be healthy versus game-ready. They also explore how Garland’s pace, playmaking, and control could rejuvenate a Cleveland offense that’s struggled to find rhythm without him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers’ 117-109 win over the Hawks. Another night Donovan Mitchell had to save them. His “superhero” return masked a team firing up 57 threes and still searching for an offensive rhythm without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. The guys question how long Cleveland can lean on Mitchell’s heroics and chaos from deep because this version of Cavs basketball isn’t built to last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Wine and Gold Talk, Ethan Sands dives into De’Andre Hunter’s growth as a creator, particularly with the backcourt shorthanded. The 112–101 loss to Toronto revealed both the team’s resilience and its lingering issues but also offered valuable learning moments for players stepping into larger roles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spirit of Halloween, the latest episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast dives into whether the Cavs have enough edge or if they’re still too friendly to strike fear in opponents. Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the team’s missing enforcer presence and the need for certain players to show a little more selfishness as they debate what it’ll take to turn this talented roster into a tougher, more ruthless version of itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor dive into the Cavaliers’ 125-105 loss to Boston and what it revealed. From Cleveland’s mounting rebounding crisis to Evan Mobley’s uneven offensive evolution, the hosts break down the Cavs’ early-season struggles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands is joined by Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press to discuss the Cavaliers’ win over the Pistons. They dig into how Cleveland’s defense while delving into the rise of full-court pressure defenses and whether the NBA should shorten its 82-game schedule. Sankofa also offers an insider’s look at Detroit’s rebuild and the Eastern Conference playoff landscape ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down the Cavaliers' 118-113 home-opening win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The central theme of their discussion is the team's increased focus on accountability, starting with Kenny Atkinson setting a tone in training camp. They also touch on the team's improved depth, versatility in lineups, and new offensive wrinkles that will allow them to counter opposing defenses’ adjustments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands breaks down the Cavaliers’ first win of the season over the Brooklyn Nets. Sands dives into Cleveland’s recurring habit of building big leads, then letting teams back in. He highlights the positives — a free-flowing offense and Donovan Mitchell’s poised efficiency — while calling out defensive lapses and rebounding concerns. The podcast evaluates individual performances while emphasizing the central theme that the Cavs must build championship habits and play with conviction for all 48 minutes to have success late into the postseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor, and Jimmy Watkins break down why the Cavaliers’ offense looked disjointed and overly isolation-heavy in their season-opening loss to New York — a far cry from the motion-based system they’ve been preaching. The crew also dives into Cleveland’s defensive lapses on the perimeter and whether early-season workloads for the stars are cause for concern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices