Podcap: Orlando 112, Cleveland 89 (Or, Do the Collapse)

Forgive me as I channel one of Ohio’s greatest bands: the venerable Guided By Voices, to name this podcast. 1999’s Do the Collapse was likely the band’s most commercially appealing album, which for many of their critics and fans, made it not their best, as Rick Ocasek’s “glossy” production was a departure from the band’s lo fi roots. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, some of whom weren’t even alive when GBV frontman Bob Pollard released those songs, are facing their own identity crisis. After taking a commanding 2-0 series, lead, the Cavs have collapsed the past two games in Orlando during the third quarter. Notable issues have been an absence of players understanding their roles, understanding what made them successful, an utter lack of confidence by the team in their leadership, an an inability to deal with success or adversity productively. To break down whether the Cavs need to lo-fi it up, or glam it up by launching threes, Nate Smith, Elijah Kim, and Chris Fancis hopped into the CtB independent label studios. After a good bit of cathartic bitching, our Indie Rock trio tried to focus on the now, which is what the Cavs should be doing: no talk of this season, or the summer, or even the series. What do the Cavs have to do to win game 5? Everyone agreed that Darius Garland needs to be shooting more, especially from deep, and that Evan Mobley needs to be shooting a lot less from anywhere other than dunks and threes. So really it’s a mix of the glitz and the grind that needs to happen for Cleveland. What other adjustments in terms of personnel? Well, we all want to fire Georges Niang into the sun, play a whole lot more Sam Merrill, and install Max Strus at the backup four. Do the Cavs have what it takes to hold serve and win this series? Decisions are split, so you’ll have to tune in to find out who thinks they can Hold on Hope, and who thinks the album’s opening lyrics are emblematic of the Cavs feelings about the playoffs and their, ahem, relative lack of toughness and maturity. Someone tell me why I do the things That I don’t wanna do When you’re around me I’m somebody else Someone tell me why I act like a fool When things don’t go my way When you’re around me I’m somebody else [Chorus] There is good reason, I guess Having it once gone too far When you clean out the hive Does it make you wanna cry? Are you still being followed By the teenage FBI? Someone tell me why Someone tell me why As always, listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify. Powered by RedCircle