John Fanta: Cavs have to breakthrough; I’d give them a 35-percent chance to beat the Celtics in a seven-game series

In this episode of Afternoon Drive on The Fan, hosts Nick and JP welcome NBC Sports' John Fanta to discuss a range of sports topics, starting with the Guardians' dramatic walk-off win over the Royals and their promising early season performance, highlighted by breakout pitcher Parker Messick. Fanta praises the team's gritty, grind-it-out style and expresses optimism about future ownership changes potentially enabling stronger offseason moves. He then shifts to college basketball, lauding Michigan's national championship win as a triumph of coaching, development, and strategic roster building—emphasizing that championships aren't bought with money alone. He contrasts this with Ohio State's missed opportunity, suggesting that hiring Dusty May two years ago could have positioned them as national contenders. The conversation turns to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Fanta expressing cautious hope for their playoff run. He gives the Cavs a 35% chance to defeat the Celtics in a seven-game series, stressing their need to 'break through' and prove they can compete at the highest level. Fanta argues that reaching the Eastern Conference Finals—even if swept—would represent a meaningful step forward, while losing in the second round would be an 'all-out failure' for the franchise. The episode closes with a lighthearted tease about a future Sanders vs. Watson debate.