It's a long time since Richfield. Even longer since Austin Carr wore his afro as a rookie from Notre Dame. In a league built upon franchises and success, the Cavs don't match up to the "bigger boys". Since the team's inception in 1970, their overall winning percentage is a mere 46%. The club has two central division titles to its name, and just the lone Eastern Conference crown. It hasn't got many jerseys hanging in the rafters to signify past greats, six to be precise. We own the NBA record for longest losing streak. The organisation was in such disarray in the eighties that we are the ones responsible for the NBA rule that doesn't permit a team to trade draft picks in successive seasons. Props to Ted Stepien on that one. Stepien also being the guy who wanted to move us to Toronto, fortunately the Gund brothers intervened and the Toronto Towers never materialised past a pipe dream. On the court during that era we experienced mixed results. From 1975 to 1979, the Cavs were regulars in the playoffs; and if not for the original number 23 in the eighties, who knows how far the Cavs may have gotten. Such was our luck during that period of success we had the (dis) pleasure of coming across the Bulls twice in the postseason. You remember "The Shot", don't you? The second time round against the Bulls was after a superb regular season, but hopes were dashed 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals(Sound Familiar??). Not being harsh on the Cavs, but from then right up until 2003 was pretty much a blur. Honestly, was it Ricky Davis giving himself a rebound off his own backboard to get a triple-double? Maybe the retirements of Daugherty and Price did it. Let's be serious, the biggest highlight was probably the acquisition of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, one who will surely join the super six up in the rafters upon his retirement.
To say that the Cavaliers only really became relevant in 2003 is somewhat unfair to the heroes of yester year, but in some people's eyes it's the truth. One thing I can say without fear of disagreement from anyone, 2003 was the defining year of the Cleveland Cavaliers...to date. We were gift wrapped the Akron phenom that is LeBron James. All he has done since is proceed to break the franchise record for (deep breath) field goals made, free throws made and attempted, steals and points. He has also racked up several "youngest player to..." milestones, all while playing with a supporting cast consisting of Drew Gooden to Damon Jones, Larry (or Laura if you like) Hughes to Ira Newble. He has surpassed all expectations and delivered everything imaginable, except one thing. That thing was meant to have been attained last season. That thing is the reason why a 66-16, number one seed season is now just remembered as the season that was. That thing ladies and gentlemen, is an NBA Championship. Some people say Cleveland is cursed when it comes to Championships, maybe so. I don't believe in curses, jinxes, superstitions, none of that. I do however believe in destiny. We were destined to stay in Cleveland against Ted's wishes all those years ago, same way we were destined to get the bounce of the balls and land the hometown kid. Is destiny poised to deliver us our first Championship in the same year LeBron is supposedly going to leave through free agency? The signs are encouraging.
Last season we came up against a team who mismatched the bajeesus out of us, the Orlando Magic. We didn't have enough mobile, big perimeter guys to match upto Turkoglu, Lewis and Pietrus. Howard exploited Ilgauskas' one major flaw inside - lack of physical presence. The ensuing off-season, those giant holes have well and truly been plugged. You need big, active perimeter guys to go chase Lewis and Pietrus? How do Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker size up? Forget Hedo, he actually did end up in Toronto. His replacement is the mercurial Vince Carter. For funnies, go check his stats while playing against the Cavs, notably while playing against DeLonte West. It doesn't make good reading, does it? And I know you're saying to yourself, "Wait, DeLonte West, he's crazy now, right?" Wrong. Well, right but wrong. He'll be back. Dwight Howard now has Hall of Fame certainty Shaquille O'Neal to contend with. Sure, Shaq flopped around a little last year while playing Dwight, but this is different. Last year was Phoenix and cost cutting, this year it's Cleveland and banner raising. Leon Powe may well be the free agent pick up of the off-season. Last year the Cavs showed versatility in patches, expect it bunches this season. If you want to go big, you play a starting five of Bron and Parker in the backcourt, Moon, Varejao and Shaq. That legitimately could happen. You want to get out and run? Try out last Mo Williams, DeLonte, Moon, Bron and JJ Hickson. We can throw so many different looks at any opponent it beggars belief. This team is genuinely ten men deep, with some left over. It remains to be seen whether the loss of John Kuester will hurt the team as much as some believe, and whether or not Coach Brown can handle the big occasion. Those questions can only be answered with time.
The Cavs will have to go some way to repeat last season's 66 win total, but thankfully the schedule has been kind on us to begin with. Of the opening twenty games, it is very (very) attainable to start off 19-1. Don't believe me, go check the fixtures. The Cavs must continue to beat the poor teams (we crucified every team under .500 last season) while maintaining the Q's reputation as the NBA's Fort Knox. The record books may say 39-2, but for me we went 39-1 at home, that last game against Phily just doesn't count or matter in any way (just don't tell Boobie that, he went nuts that night). We must continue to be the elite defensive team in the league. We need our three point shot to continue to drop, but we mustn't rely on it. Floor spacing, defensive assignments, team chemistry, concentration, effort, trust, respect, dedication and commitment defined the Cavaliers last year. We need them to be our foundation once again this year.
2010 may very well be remembered as the year LeBron left Cleveland in search for big lights and bigger paydays. It could go down as the year the big gamble failed and ran out of Diesel. It could, however, mark the beginning of something magical. Forget the Miracle of Richfield. Forget Carr, Price, Daugherty and Thurmond, our time is now, for there may never be a bigger year than 2010 for the Cavaliers.
Nervous? Good...