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Terry’s Talkin’

Terry’s Talkin’

Written by: Terry Pluto Cleveland.com
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Cleveland.com and Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto talks Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Northeast Ohio college basketball with host David Campbell.© 2021 Advance Local Media LLC Basketball Football (American) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What Game 4 meant for Donovan Mitchell's legacy; Should Chase DeLauter lead off for the Guardians instead of Steven Kwan?
    May 12 2026
    Highlights: How did Donovan Mitchell secure a critical Game 4 victory for the Cavaliers? He shifted to an aggressive, highly physical approach, drawing fouls and scoring 39 of his 43 points in the second half to tie an NBA playoff record and even the series. James Harden's home versus road playoff performances: Harden has been highly efficient shooting and facilitating at home, but has struggled drastically with poor shooting percentages and high turnovers on the road. Why Evan Mobley's traditional interior game is more valuable than his outside shooting. His dominant rebounding, defensive shot-altering, and forceful rim scoring perfectly complement the guard-heavy roster, negating his need to shoot a high volume of three-pointers. J.B. Bickerstaff goes off on the officiating. He aimed to plant a seed with officials for future games regarding a massive free-throw disparity while also motivating his roster by demonstrating his unwavering support. Mitchell's Game 4 vs. LeBron James' famous 2007 playoff game. What the plus-minus statistics reveal about the Cavs' role players. Harden demonstrates a deep thinking process about the game. Originally a defense-first coach, Mike Brown has loosened up his philosophy to create a fast-paced, highly potent offense that maximizes the talents of stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Is Steven Kwan’s prolonged hitting slump threatening his leadoff spot? Should it? What drove the Guardians to trade a pitching prospect for catcher Patrick Bailey. A reader asks about the low MLB batting averages. We provide some historical context. What are the primary factors causing the modern decline in batting averages? What Terry will remember about former Browns tight end David Njoku. Jose Ramirez, Travis Bazzana and stolen bases. And a listener email about his most memorable baseball game with his child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • What the Cavs have to change; 'Fat Tackle Bias'; Terry's Guardians prospects you should know
    May 7 2026
    Highlights: Was the Detroit crowd underwhelming at Game 1 of Cavs-Pistons? The Cavaliers' historic issues with careless turnovers, including 19 in Game 1, directly fueled the Pistons' transition offense and sabotaged Cleveland's control of the game's pace. They need to fix it, Terry says. Having Evan Mobley bring the ball up the court helped Cleveland bypass Detroit's backcourt pressure, though he must quickly return to the interior to effectively establish the offense. Coach Kenny Atkinson: Did he misplay Jarrett Allen's foul trouble in the first half? Despite the team's struggles, Max Strus provided a bright spot for Cleveland with an efficient 19-point performance and relentless hustle. Rookie Jaylon Tyson delivered a significant defensive boost for the Cavaliers by effectively slowing down Pistons star Cade Cunningham, earning a plus-nine rating in his 18 minutes. Detroit successfully utilized its supporting cast to secure the win, with Duncan Robinson's perimeter shooting and Tobias Harris's 20 points capitalizing on Cleveland's defensive lapses. Head coach JB Bickerstaff has successfully transformed the Pistons through a gritty, hard-nosed defensive identity, leading the franchise to 60 wins and its first playoff series victory in 18 years. The Cavaliers may stay with a deep rotation to keep players fresh against the Pistons' physical play and the grueling every-other-day playoff schedule. Terry's names to watch among Guardians prospects. Guardians prospect Kody Huff is evolving from a strictly defensive catcher into a dangerous two-way player following a massive offensive breakout this season. There is concern over Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan's prolonged and mysterious drop in offensive production dating back to the second half of last season. Is it time to turn balls and strikes over to the ABS system? One listener thinks so. Terry says the Browns made the optimal strategic move by rejecting a trade-down offer from Dallas, allowing them to secure elite offensive tackle Spencer Fano to rebuild their line. Deshaun Watson: The best solution as QB1 in 2026? Would his success dissuade the Browns from taking a potential franchise QB in the 2027 draft? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Is Charles Barkley right about the Cavs? Why the Guardians handled Travis Bazzana's call-up perfectly
    Apr 30 2026
    Highlights: Cavaliers secure Game 5 victory through vital second-half adjustments and utilizing multiple ball handlers Are the Cavs capable of the NBA Finals? Or is Charles Barkley right? James Harden provided a crucial, unexpected boost by doing the gritty work and securing nine critical rebounds Coach Kenny Atkinson demonstrates second-half adaptability despite struggling with complex early-game roster rotations Donovan Mitchell exhibits unselfish leadership by choosing to stay benched to let a hot lineup close out Game 5 Starting Max Strus injects crucial offensive energy and highlights the immense depth and versatility of Cleveland's roster Enduring a grueling, physical series against Toronto builds essential playoff toughness and organic chemistry for the Cavaliers Moving local playoff broadcasts to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime causes widespread frustration and viewing confusion among fans Guardians strategically delayed top prospect Travis Bazzana’s call-up to preserve minor league morale and ensure merit-based promotions Guardians rely on versatile contingency plans like Austin Hedges and David Fry to manage Bo Naylor's severe offensive slump Pitching prospects Parker Messick and Gavin Williams successfully evolve from raw power throwers into refined, tactical pitchers Deshaun Watson leads the Browns' quarterback competition, but major concerns regarding his long-term physical durability remain Browns heavily invest in offensive line and wide receiver depth during the NFL Draft to protect the quarterback Coaches who coached in two pro sports: A listener found one. And it leads into a discussion about Jerry Krause and whether his legacy has been treated fairly in the wake of "The Last Dance." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 20 mins
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