CLEVELAND, Ohio — Sometimes the most revealing insights come from outside observers.

Following the Cavs’ embarrassing 99-94 loss to a severely depleted Golden State Warriors team, it was a visiting reporter’s pointed question that perfectly captured the growing concerns about the Cavs’ stars.

On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com reporter Chris Fedor shared a damning moment that occurred in the media room after the game: “‘Hey, Chris, is Evan always that passive? I thought he was second team All-NBA last year. I thought he was an All-Star last year. Is he always that passive?’”

That brutal inquiry cut to the heart of what’s becoming an increasingly worrisome pattern with the Cavs’ young big man.

Against a Warriors team missing its stars and lacking legitimate frontcourt size, Mobley failed to impose his will, finishing 8-of-19 from the field with zero three-point makes.

Fedor explained that Mobley’s approach stands in stark contrast to the mindset of other elite players: “That’s the next level that people are talking about with Evan. That’s the next step that people are talking about with Evan. A recognition of these dudes can’t guard me. I’m too good for them. I need to act that way. I need to treat this matchup that kind of way. And you just don’t see that enough from Evan.”

The criticism wasn’t limited to Mobley.

All-Star guard Darius Garland faced equally harsh scrutiny after being thoroughly outplayed by two-way contract player Pat Spencer, who put up 19 points and 7 assists while targeting Garland defensively.

“Darius Garland cannot get outplayed by Pat Spencer. Like, come on,” Fedor stated bluntly on the podcast. “I know Darius is still working his way back from offseason toe surgery, and they have to manage him throughout the course of this regular season, and he’s not playing back to backs, and he doesn’t look like the same guy that he was last year when he became an all Star for the second time in his career. But he can’t get outplayed by Pat Spencer.”

The podcast conversation highlighted a concerning truth: Cleveland’s stars aren’t consistently playing like stars. When opposing teams are missing their best players — as Golden State was without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler — the Cavaliers’ All-Stars should dominate. Instead, they allowed backups and two-way players to outshine them.

This stark underperformance is particularly alarming for a Cleveland team carrying championship aspirations and the NBA’s most expensive roster. While injuries have forced role players into expanded minutes, the team still had its three All-Stars available against Golden State.

As the Cavaliers enter a five-day break before their next game, the pressing question becomes whether Mobley and Garland can find the assertiveness and consistency needed to match their considerable talent. Their ability — or inability — to impose their will on games could determine whether this season realizes its potential or continues its disappointing trajectory.

Want to hear more unfiltered analysis about the Cavs’ stars and their struggles? Check out the complete Wine and Gold Talk podcast for the full breakdown of what’s holding back this talented but inconsistent Cleveland team.

Here’s the podcast for this week: