Clubber, Creed & the Cavalier Crisis
In Rocky III, (or what some feel should have been called Rocky vs Thunderlips), our beloved protagonist Mr. Balboa underwent the classic hero’s journey. After years of continued success, Rocky ultimately had a crisis of confidence brought on by two key factors:
1. A loss of Self-Belief
2. Fear
I believe the 2025-2026 Cleveland Cavaliers are following this exact story arc. Let’s unpack it.
How Did We Lose our Confidence?
For Cavalier fans, the last few seasons have been filled with hope. We’ve started to believe once again. We’ve seen our core players mature, we’ve seen our organization continue to invest into the team and coaching staff, and we’ve started to believe that our team were true contenders.
The 2024 season ended in 64 wins, a number one seed in the Eastern Conference, and a confidence that hasn’t been that palpable since the Lebron era.
Like Rocky after a series of ‘marshmallow’ opponents, the Cavaliers looked like a dazzling display of talent at the close of the 2024-2025 season. Skill, shooting and savvy. Finesse and fun. And oh, (by the way), the DPOY. Then came the Pacers.
To me, the Pacers represented the new NBA model. Length, strength, defense and trash talk. Just like Rocky’s famous antagonist, Clubber Lang.
It was that loss that sent our young and promising Cavaliers into a cycle of self-doubt.
Clubber Lang Reincarnate
Now, 26 games into the new season, even though the Pacers have been diminished by injuries and trades… we have a new Clubber Lang. Bigger, longer and nastier. The OKC Thunder.
Our Cavaliers spent the off season battling their own self-belief. They’d come so far, they were on the cusp of what felt like a lock for the Conference Finals. Then… they ran into their kryptonite: a team with a 90’s throwback type of defensive attitude.
And as they prepared for the new campaign, they saw a similar opponent defeat the Pacers and in fact look like an even nastier version of that new and emerging NBA prototype. OKC.
OKC has started the season at a historic pace. Their defense is ranked #1 in the NBA, and everyone knows they’ve been able to shut anyone and everyone down, any night they choose. From afar, I suspect this has stricken an internal fear in our small-guard squad. One that continues to affect our self-confidence, energy level and belief in a championship future.
Yo, Adrian!
But there was a moment when it all changed. When Rocky finally said those immortal words:
“For the first time in my life, I’m afraid.”
Once Rocky admitted this to Adrian, he was able to break through. Most importantly, he finally leaned into the help of his friend and coach, Apollo Creed.
Apollo helped Rocky to break down his mental barriers, embrace an adapted style, and regain his confidence. He emerged sharper, tougher, faster. He had an edge. He was ready to face his fears and complete his hero’s journey.
In our story, I know who the hero is. Donavan, Darius, Evan and the gang. What I don’t know is: Who is our Adrian?
Is it Koby Altman. Will he shake up the bench and bring in more long, defensive wings? Will be look to move one of the core 4? Or will he stay the course?
Is it Donovan? Will there be a ‘players only’ type of moment where he’s had enough, and demands a nightly intensity that we’re not seeing?
Or is it someone from the outside? Like a middle-aged blog writer.
I Believe in You
If I may, and for any Cavaliers reading this obviously viral blog, please allow me the privilege of being Adrian Balboa.
“You’re carrying all of this around inside of you. The embarrassment of last year’s loss. The guilt of disappointing your fans. And for the first time, the fear of facing this historical threat.
It’s time to let it go.
Because at the end of the day, when the spotlight fades, it’s just going to be us.
And you can’t live like this. We can’t live like this.
Kenny believes in you. Koby believes in you. I believe in you.
But you gotta do this for one person… yourself.” (queue Eye of the Tiger).
GO CAVS.
Wonderful Footnote: Watch this Rocky III Clip
