The Cavaliers are still holding on to the faith against the Knicks despite what history says
CLEVELAND – On Sunday morning, after watching film, Kenny Atkinson met with his team.
The Cavaliers coach opened the floor to anyone who wanted to speak.
He asked his players a question: Why do you believe we can come back?
“I had eight good answers,” Atkinson said. “I said, ‘Well, that makes me believe more because you really believe in yourself.’ Each guy had a different reason or two. I don’t want to stand up and say, ‘Hey, we have to believe.’ It’s not that. That is, do they believe? They believe.
“Maybe they’re not immersed in the numbers you all know, how difficult this is. But I don’t think they care about that. They believe in the team, they believe in each other, they believe that we have a good organization in this team.”
The Cavaliers face an incredibly difficult uphill battle, trailing the Knicks 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals series.
No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit in playoff history.
Only four teams have ever forced a Game 7 after facing this type of deficit.
Cleveland has dropped the past two games by 29 points, after scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter in the series opener.
Yet the Cavs still have faith, even if it is unfounded.
“I still feel like we’re the better football club,” said guard Jaylon Tyson. “Obviously we didn’t show that. We have another chance on Monday to finish this thing.”
The Cavaliers point to outplaying the Knicks for much of Game 1 and their ability to respond to adversity throughout the playoffs.
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They won two Game 7s in dominant fashion and don’t believe they’ve played a perfect game against the Knicks yet.
They are running out of time.
It has to happen on Monday night, or their season will be over.
“I think, ultimately, it’s something to be proud of,” Tyson said. “Tomorrow will be a big test where we are mentally, we are at home — we don’t lose at home, we should be proud of that, these guys are calling for a shovel, they are trying to sweep us, I personally don’t take that lightly.
“Whether I play five minutes or 15 minutes, whatever it is, I’m going to put my best foot forward and I know my teammates are going to put their foot forward and try to make sure that doesn’t happen. I think that’s something to be proud of.”
