Only three teams now remain in the NBA Playoffs, absent of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ presence. As the number four seed going into the postseason, missing out on the NBA Finals and previously, Conference Finals, is nothing astonishing; yet, watching the eight-seeded Miami Heat and the seven-seeded Los Angeles Lakers prior to that continue competing shows that effort and skill matters more than regular season record.
This year was the first opportunity for the majority of Cleveland’s roster to experience the postseason, so their loss will serve as a learning experience. Though the Cavaliers can watch film on their series, watching the teams that have succeeded and recognizing what they did right will also prepare Cleveland for a better next season.