Should the Cavaliers intentially lose games for the 4 seed in the East?

The episode of Afternoon Drive on The Fan debates whether the Cleveland Cavaliers should intentionally lose games to secure the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, avoiding a potential early matchup with the Boston Celtics in the second round. Host Jonathan argues that strategically losing to strengthen their path to the Eastern Conference Finals is a smart, pragmatic move—especially given the team's recent blockbuster trade for James Harden and ongoing chemistry challenges. He draws parallels to past LeBron-era Cavs teams that manipulated the bracket for advantage. Counterpoint comes from guest Cool Ray, who insists that winning builds fear and respect, and that taking an easier path undermines credibility. The discussion centers on whether the Cavs should prioritize a favorable playoff draw over winning every regular-season game, with both sides acknowledging the pressure to reach the conference finals after years of second-round exits. The episode concludes with skepticism about the Cavs' commitment to this strategy, especially with key players like Jared Allen and Max Struess playing through a back-to-back.