CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Admire the line the Cavs are walking this season in dancing through the departure of the defining athlete of this franchise.

Cleveland must be appropriately appreciative of LeBron James' greatness, while emitting signals that on some level they're happy he's gone and they'll be fine without him.

Cleveland must prepare fans for far less winning than they grew accustomed to through four straight NBA Finals trips, while insisting they aren't tanking.

Cleveland must attempt to embrace an underdog, we'll-show-you mentality, because the label of the Bully of the East was ripped away from them.

Good luck. But maybe they don't need it. Because the Cavs may actually manage to do it, maybe in no small part because they watched the Browns fail to express a vision to their fans for two seasons.

The Browns clearly put winning on the back burner for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and one of their missteps was never getting out front to explain the philosophy to fans and ask them to invest with the team in a long-term vision for the future. It didn't mean trying to lose. It meant explaining that there was value beyond the scoreboard on Sunday, value that the franchise and fans could embrace together for the good of everyone.

Maybe a catchy little slogan, something like, I don't know ...

"Wins and Lessons."

How come the "Hardland of America" guy didn't come up with that one for the Browns?

"It's not about wins and losses, it's about wins and lessons," Cavs coach Ty Lue said Monday.

He dropped that little beauty at Cavs media day, and as our Scott Patsko pointed out, the moans could be heard from Berea ... why didn't we think of that?

This would've been a great thing for Hue Jackson or Sashi Brown to say two years ago. https://t.co/VHtN8Yh5oI — Scott Patsko (@ScottPatsko) September 24, 2018

The way you talk about your team falls way down the list of importance when compared to things like winning, acquiring and developing great players, winning, and quality snacks at the concession stands. But talking about your team matters at least a little, because you're asked to do it a lot.

Sashi Brown, the architect of the Browns' rebuild, failed by never honestly explaining the plan to a fan base he feared wouldn't accept it.

Hue Jackson has often fallen short in this area, creating problems out of nothing in his attempts to stand strong as a leader for a franchise with enough natural problems of its own. It didn't need problems created for no reason. It's why Jackson wound up in a lake, after promising 1-15 wouldn't happen again.

It's why expectations for DeShone Kizer went through the roof, when Jackson knighted him as the hope of a city.

It's why we spent a week discussing why Josh Gordon started in his first game back, an issue people only cared about because Jackson as the head coach vowed it would not happen, and then he let it happen.

How you talk sets a tone. Lue and the Cavs made it clear Monday they understand that.

The Cavs aren't behaving or talking in a way that would indicate they're tanking, and they shouldn't. Kevin Love was extended, no other vital veterans were let go after James left, and the pursuit of the bottom of the playoffs is a worthy endeavor for a team that has been chasing championships.

But the Cavs also know they'll be worse, just like the Browns knew in 2016 they'd be worse. So explicitly giving fans another outlet for viewing success is smart and necessary.

Did you watch the Cavs get blown out at home by the Celtics or Raptors or Pacers or Bucks or 76ers? OK, but did Collin Sexton run the offense for a few possessions in a way that inspired or entertained you? How did Cedi Osman look? Or Ante Zizic?

The Cavs are attempting to offer hope and value while chasing an eight seed. It's not exactly like what the Browns did. A loss inside The Q on a random Tuesday in February isn't as potentially soul-crushing as a loss outside at FirstEnergy Stadium on another Sunday in November.

But what the Cavs know is that it's OK to let the fans in.

Many in Cleveland are distraught over James' new life in L.A. But some are eager for a new Cavs chapter, without the James drama.

Whatever happens, the fans and franchise can try it together, aware of the losses to come.

With that delicious single victory from Thursday still marinating in the sports consciousness of Cleveland -- BAKER FOREVER BABY -- the Browns are taking steps toward maybe climbing out of this hole. Now, the Cavs are peering over the edge, ready to climb in.

They won't fall as far as the Browns did. But they'll be down there. If you let the fans know where you're headed, maybe they'll be ready with a ladder when it's time to climb out, rather than threatening to abandon you.

Wins and lessons in Cleveland basketball?

Everyone knows fewer wins are ahead for the Cavaliers. But there's already been a lesson learned on how to deal with that.