Fear the 'Fro: A Cleveland Cavaliers Podcast

Fear the 'Fro is here with one final pre-Celtics drop. Today Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, is joined by Smooth, the man behind much of the writing on the Cavaliers at RealCavsFans.com. We talk Cavs-Celtics, what we've seen from the Cavs in the 2024 Playoffs so far, and what may lie ahead in this series & heading into the second summer of Mitchell.

Cavs advance! Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, talks Cavs-Magic game 7, after Cleveland mounts a huge comeback on the backs of Donovan Mitchell, and Max Strus. Isaac Okoro got the start, and came up huge in the second half, while for Orlando, Franz Wagner struggled mightily. Now the Cavs face the Celtics, in what will be a difficult test. Plus, a diss track in the style of Ice Cube.

WHAT A NIGHT. The Cavs, despite losing their best playoff performer (Jarrett Allen), held on to beat the Magic behind a defensive sequence from Evan Mobley that will send Tim Bontemps into hiding. Darius Garland exploded out of the gates, and Max Strus and Donovan Mitchell paced the second half scoring as Cleveland survived a whole lot of Paolo Banchero. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, discusses it all.

Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, talks about the state of the first round matchup between the Cavs and Magic. We begin with a song, we end with optimism. Plus my thoughts on the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" series, the New York Knicks vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.

Game 2 is tonight! Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, talks the Cavs playoff debut victory against the Orlando Magic, and what lies ahead in game two. From Evan's Mobley's dominance, to Niang embracing the playoff heel role, to Donovan's return to form, we dive into all the storylines.

It's a crossover episode of the Fear the 'Fro podcast, as Jonathan Osborne joins Bob Schmidt, to break down the Cavaliers and Magic as we await Game 1. We recap the season series, talk about the chances Jonathan Isaac starts and what that could change, talk some All-NBA defense, enemies of BOTH pods, and the keys to success for our Cavs and his Magic. (0:00) Are The Magic Insulted The Cavs Wanted To Face Them? (4:35) Jonathan Describes The Magic Season (9:13) Jonathan Isaac Elevated To Starter? (15:10) Non-Negotiables For The Magic (19:15) All-NBA Discussion: Suggs/Allen/Paolo (22:38) Magic Fanbase's Least Favorite Media Critics (28:47) The Next Steps For The Magic's Ascent (32:06) Paolo's Matchup Success Vs. Cavs And How The Magic Will Guard The Cavs (36:10) Games Cavs Fans Should Watch (37:57) Over/Under First Technical Foul Recipient (39:39) Final Thoughts On The Pros/Cons Of This Matchup For Each Team

Fear the 'Fro breaks down the story of the day... The Cavs losing their way into a matchup with Orlando. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, discusses the tactic, the awkward post game presser with JB, and sets the stage for a week long playoff runup to Orlando. Plus, we announce the first winner of the 'Fro Pod Payback (a cash giveaway). Thanks for a great regular season of ratings and reviews. Bring on the Playoffs.

The Cavaliers get back to winning, as they topple the Jazz in Utah. The frontcourt thrived, Sam Merrill continued to pour in threes against the Jazz, and the offense looked crisp and fluid in defeating the young core of the Jazz. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, first makes a case FOR Dan Gilbert's optimistic comments regarding Donovan's future in Cleveland, and picks a new ENEMY OF THE POD. (0:00) Dan Gilbert Did Nothing Wrong.... Bob Makes His Case (8:34) Bob Picks A New Enemy Of The Pod (13:41) The Cavs Pummel The Jazz: A Recap (24:16) Audio Mailbag: Matt In Phoenix

The losing skid is over! The Cavaliers defeat the NBA's slumpbuster, the Charlotte Hornets, to maintain their hold on the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, breaks down the game from Mook to Ev to Georges. Then we talk about the state of the fanbase as the Cavaliers are seeing a post all-star break slide, yet again.

Stupid Terry Rozier. He hit two daggers on Okoro, and the Cavs snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Jarrett Allen was majestic, but his 5th 20-20 game of his career resulted in the first one that came in a losing effort. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, reacts to the game, and then goes to the audio mailbag for questions from Brett and Isaac, pacific northwest Cavs fans.

Bob Schmidt, of the Fear the 'Fro pod is back with Shamit Dua, author of the "In the N.O." substack, and Pelicans analyst. We dive into the state of the Cavaliers and Pelicans, parallel existences (Herb and Okoro), and discuss the possibilities our franchises' futures intersect. Then we jump into predictions surrounding the All-NBA Defensive Team, and revisit the 2021 NBA Draft. (0:00) Cavs vs. Pelicans Primer- Point Zion, Trey Murphy Streaking (9:56) Herb vs. Okoro parallels, and Herb's bargain deal (16:22) Shamit's View Of The Dual Big Cavs Lineup (22:00) Is Mobley Opening Offer A Rookie Max? (29:12) Bob and Shamit Predict All-NBA Defensive Teams (38:09) Bob Fires Up The Isaac Okoro Propaganda Machine (39:33) Revisiting the 2021 NBA Draft: Who Does Herb and Trey Go Before? (44:05) Shamit Wants To Murder A Giraffe In Cold Blood (Paraphrasing) (47:57) Shamit Asks Bob What He'd Do With Pelicans This Summer (53:20) The Pelicans And The Lakers Pick Conveyance (55:25) Ideal Playoff Opponent: The Timberwolves (56:34) Shamit Predicts Cavs Lose

Fear the 'Fro is back, recapping recent struggles, as the Cavs have dropped 3 of 4. The Cavs fell to the Suns, after a great start where Darius Garland scored 21 points in the first quarter. Craig Porter Jr., Caris Levert, and Jarrett Allen all made big plays in a late rally that fell short as Durant, Booker, and Beal all thrived. Rudy Gobert was fined $100k after his comments suggesting nefarious officiating was linked to gambling, and we go to the Audio Mailbag, with Jeff from Alabama.

Without a doubt, the Cavs secured the single best victory of the season. Dean Wade, undrafted hero, exploded in the 4th quarter to topple the Celtics, as the Cavaliers mount a shocking comeback. History was made on several fronts, so join Bob Schmidt for this celebratory Fear the 'Fro pod, as we honor the Drippy one.

The Knicks cucked us. The Celtics await. Is the sky falling? Can JB right the ship with Donny and Max out with injuries. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, is joined by Jordan Zirm on this episode of Fear the 'Fro. Topics include: (0:00) Knicks Loss Reaction (5:49) Concerns Have Arisen Since All-Star Break (10:50) The Two Big Conundrum - Jordan's Take (14:00) Bob Vents About Darius Evading Blame In Knicks Game (19:36) The Cavs Backcourt (24:14) JB's Rigidity With Lineups (34:33) Celtics Preview (42:18) Jordan's Prediction For How East Shakes Out (44:00) The 76ers Hypothetical (49:40) Walt Frazier Throwing Strays At Okoro

Fear the 'Fro is back celebrating a historic evening for Max Strus, who poured in 15 points in the 4th quarter, including a 60-foot buzzer beating heave that won the game for the Cavs over the Dallas Mavericks. Despite 75 combined points from Luka and Kyrie, the Cavs won behind 14 threes from Strus and Donovan Mitchell. (0:00) Cavs topple the Mavericks behind Max Strus's heroic night (15:12) Niang playing better as of late, and the other lineups (18:49) Donovan speaking up for Darius Garland

Fear the 'Fro is back after the All-Star break, as Cleveland, playing without Donovan Mitchell, falls to the Orlando. The Magic outmuscled the Cavs, as their bench and an unusually good shooting performance led them to victory. Bob Schmidt, of Fox Sports Radio, sulks and then revisits Tim Bontemps appearance on Cleveland Sports Radio (92.3 The Fan). Then we hit an audio mailbag. (0:00) Cavs vs. Magic - Breaking Down Where Things Went Wrong (10:45) Past "Enemy Of The Pod", Tim Bontemps, Addresses Mobley Emergence on 92.3 The Fan (18:34) Audio Mailbag: Does Donovan Mitchell Love Sam The Most?

Fear the 'Fro returns as Bob is back from his Superbowl journey to talk Cavs, as the winning streak that was snapped against Buddy Hield and the Sixers. But with Mobley's aggression on the rise, and Garland starting to impose his will on the game, the Cavaliers have set themselves up for a happy all-star break. Then we Jarrett Allen's ascent to the #2 spot in DPOY odds. Do positionless All-NBA teams help or hurt the Cavaliers? Finally a listener submission for a new Enemy of the Pod. (0:00) Bob Is Back ("The Vendetta" Set Up) (6:15) The Cavs Fall To The Sixers, But Garland And Mobley Gaining Steam (14:00) Jarrett Allen Makes A DPOY Odds Leap (16:42) Donovan All-NBA 1st Team Case Helped Or Hurt By Positionless Ballots? (19:09) A New ENEMY OF THE POD???

Fear the 'Fro is back after the Cavs win their 6th straight. Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are acclimating just fine, as the Cavs keep the momentum and the wins coming. Mobley gives us a Domas-light outing, Max exploded in the third quarter with shades of Jose Alvarado, and Donovan's MVP mentions have seen an uptick nationally. We revisit our enemy of the pod, Mr. Bontemps, after his take ended up on life support after the San Antonio game. (0:00) Cavs finally defeat the Kings (6:30) Evan Mobley's game in context (12:16) Donovan Mitchell MVP Campaign (21:00) Audio Mailbag: Scott From Melbourne On Last Minute Trade Deadline Talk (33:11) Enemy Of The Pod Update: Evan Slaying Narratives (36:48) Zach Collins Dirty Play

Fear the 'Fro is back talking the Cavs continued winning ways, ugly or not. Then we touch on a question from listener Ben regarding Darius Garland, and the anxieties his return has created. Finally, you'll get a crisp 15 on Draymond Green's take on the Joel Embiid injury, and the NBA's 65-game threshold for awards. (0:00) Intro and Grizzlies talk (9:30) Audio Mailbag: Ben wants to discuss Darius's return and the surrounding fears (23:26) Draymond Green and his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad take

'Fro fans, life is short. Don't let pride stand in the way of saying "I'm sorry". The first ten minutes of this podcast exist entirely to showcase how magnanimous I am. But most of you already know this, so just skip to (10:00) for the Cavs talk, where Derek kicks off the audio mailbag with an Evan Mobley progression discussion, following his return to the Cavaliers lineup. Then we get into the upcoming slate, with a few thoughts on the Cavaliers victory. Is a second round Cavs-Knicks matchup a possibility?