Wine and Gold Talk Podcast

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands and Chris Fedor break down why the Cavs’ final 10 games before the New Year represent Cleveland’s first real adversity check. Coming off a five-day break filled with pointed film sessions, blunt messaging and a renewed emphasis on accountability, the Cavs now face a six-game run against sub-.500 opponents followed by four tougher matchups to close out December. The duo digs into what this stretch means for a group that has spent the season talking about mental toughness and maturity — and why those themes will finally be tested in real time. They discuss the latest on Darius Garland’s toe, how Kenny Atkinson is challenging the roster, especially Evan Mobley, and what responding to early-season adversity would reveal about the team’s mental growth. 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 discuss the performance and perception of the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office. They begin by analyzing the on-court impact of losing Ty Jerome's bench scoring and Isaac Okoro's point-of-attack defense, noting how the front office has found capable, low-cost replacements like Jaylon Tyson and Craig Porter Jr. The conversation then shifts to a survey by The Athletic that ranked all NBA front offices. Finally, they touch on the future of the team, questioning if younger stars like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are on the same championship timeline as Donovan Mitchell, which could complicate future contract decisions. 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 discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' disappointing 14-11 start to the season. They analyze the team's lack of mental toughness, inconsistent effort and a perceived sense of entitlement as the primary reasons for their struggles. The conversation covers how the team is using a five-day break for a "reset" with player-led meetings and tough film sessions. They also touch on the increasingly competitive landscape of the Eastern Conference, which raises the stakes for the Cavs to improve their performance and playoff seeding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cavs' 99-94 loss to an injury-ravaged Warriors team on Saturday sparked one of the sharpest debates between host Ethan Sands and Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast. To Sands, the night felt more like cold shooting than collapse. But when Chris Fedor weighed in, the tone shifted, and the conversation spiraled into a deeper examination of Cleveland’s 11 losses and which one has truly defined their season so far. Was this just a blip on a back-to-back or the biggest warning sign yet? The answers aren’t simple, but the debate might reveal more about where the Cavs are headed than the box score ever could. 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 Cleveland Cavaliers’ 130-117 win over the San Antonio Spurs, exploring how the team finally turned words into action by attacking the rim. After a slow start, the Cavs flipped the script in the third quarter by attacking the paint and deploying yet another bench unit. 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 react to the Cavs’ 10th loss of the season, digging into the latest setback and examining the patterns that keep resurfacing — from the team’s lack of a consistent identity to the lapses in transition defense and physicality. They discuss the Cavs’ overwhelming dependence on Donovan Mitchell, the uneven play from the supporting cast, and how rotation choices are impacting rhythm and competitiveness. 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’ 135-119 win in Indiana. They dig into the team's response after Jaylon Tyson publicly challenged the group’s hunger, why Donovan Mitchell’s 40-point night mattered beyond the box score and how Tyson backed up his words with one of his most complete games. The discussion also turns to the bigger-picture questions about how emerging young pieces might reshape the rotation as the season wears on. Monday was the kind of win the Cavs needed. But it wasn’t the kind of win that fixes everything — and the guys explain why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands and guest Spencer Davies break down why Cleveland’s habits, effort level and approach simply don’t match the expectations of a team that talks about contending but hasn’t proven anything yet. It's a conversation built around what the Cavs need to fix before it’s too late. They take a hard look at Sunday's loss to the Celtics. But they also delve into the bigger picture. The recurring slow starts, the lack of urgency from star players and the uncomfortable truth that the team’s energy is often coming from its youngest, least-paid players. Sands and Davies examine why the Cavs’ current mindset is dangerous — and how the same bad habits that show up in December become the reasons you get humbled in April and May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands, stuck in late-night Atlanta traffic, turns his car into a rolling think tank. He breaks down the Cavs’ 130-123 loss to the Hawks, which knocked Cleveland out of the NBA Cup and wonders how a team that just had a Thanksgiving recharge still looked like it needed a nap. From sloppy transition defense to a persistent energy problem, Sands calls out the patterns that keep tripping up the Cavaliers. As brake lights stretch for miles, Sands asks the uncomfortable question: why does this team need chaos to wake up? And seriously … how many red lights does it take to fix transition defense? 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 answer questions from Subtext subscribers, focusing on Kenny Atkinson’s start to the season. They dig into his rotations, his experimental decisions, and how the Cavs’ avalanche of injuries has shaped everything around him. They also dive into a long-term debate at the heart of Cleveland’s future: whether Darius Garland or Evan Mobley carries more weight in the team’s championship path. The guys then look at the Cavs’ depth, examining which bench players have played their way into firmer rotation roles once everyone is healthy. To wrap up, Ethan and Chris lighten the mood with a holiday twist — ranking their favorite and least favorite cities to cover a Christmas game. 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 dig into the Cavs’ 110–99 loss in Toronto — a night defined by a gutted rotation, mounting fatigue and another standout showing from Nae’Qwan Tomlin. With seven players out, the two-way forward delivered again, pushing the conversation toward a bigger decision: should the Cavs ink Tomlin before the trade deadline or keep that roster spot open for a potential buyout addition, as they’ve done in recent years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, host Ethan Sands unpacks a Sunday night in Cleveland that felt like a celebration of the city’s past, present, and future. From the Browns sparking early buzz with Shedeur Sanders’ historic debut win to the warm nostalgia surrounding the returns of Tyronn Lue and Chris Paul’s farewell tour, Rocket Arena was fully charged with energy and electricity. Against that backdrop, Sands dives into the Cavaliers’ composed 120–105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. He breaks down Cleveland’s disciplined defensive game plan against James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell’s effortless scoring and leadership, and the continued evolution of De’Andre Hunter as a more confident and willing playmaker compared to his role in Atlanta. 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’ 120-109 win over an injury-depleted Pacers squad — a familiar postseason foe, even if this rematch lacked its usual punch. The hosts explain why the victory, while necessary, didn’t reveal much about where the Cavs truly stand and instead underscored how central Darius Garland remains to everything they do. They dive into Jaylon Tyson’s jolt of energy, De'Andre Hunter’s steady two-way value, and Evan Mobley’s assertive night, while emphasizing the need for Mobley to bring that same force against top-tier competition. The episode also explores the intriguing early chemistry between Lonzo Ball and Garland and the complications surrounding both of their injury histories. 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’ puzzling run of slow starts and what might fix them — from possible rotation tweaks to the looming boost of Darius Garland’s return. They break down the offense’s stagnation and why Evan Mobley’s stalled growth remains the biggest obstacle between Cleveland and real championship credibility. The guys also explore the noticeably more serious tone around the locker room this season, pointing to injuries, heightened expectations, and the missing spark of Garland’s infectious joy. 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 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 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