BEST OF THE BEST
What is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-time starting lineup?
The Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the best-ofseven second-round series. What the Cavs needed was an influx of franchise-framing talent, including a healthy Donovan Mitchell. Think what the Cavs could do if they had these five players deemed the best at each position. (Note: a player must have spent at least two seasons in Cleveland to qualify)
A difficult choice between Irving and Mark Price was decided by one shot: Irving’s go-ahead 3-pointer over Steph Curry with 53 seconds left that lifted Cleveland over Golden State in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, giving the city its first team championship in a major sport since 1964.
Irving averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 assists and shot .457 in six seasons in Cleveland. (Price, who averaged 16.4, 7.2 and shot .479 in nine seasons with the Cavs, would make the “best five” list if eliminating positions).
Shooting guard: Donovan Mitchell
It took only two seasons for Mitchell to move onto the all-time list, bumping Austin Carr along the way. Mitchell is averaging 27.5 points for the Wine and Gold, tops in franchise history. He also averages 5.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds while shooting .378 from 3-point range.
Small/pt. forward: Lebron James
The most impactful player to hit Cleveland since Jim Brown, King James ranks among the best in NBA history, his name mentioned in the same sentence with Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant. After returning to Cleveland following his infamous “Decision,” James made amends by joining with Irving and Kevin Love to help bring the city its first major championship in 52 years. Combining his two different stints with the Cavs, James averaged 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists, and twice was named league MVP.
Power forward: Larry Nance Sr.
As missing pieces go, Nance ranks up there with James, Irving and Love as essential parts that turned good teams into title contenders. Unfortunately for Nance and the Cavs, the road to an NBA championship went through Chicago, where Michael Jordan was always waiting. Still, when Nance went to Cleveland via trade with Phoenix during the 198788 season, he brought a needed spark. Teaming with Price, Brad Daugherty and John “Hot Rod” Williams, the Cavs became
one of the best teams not named the Bulls. Nance averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in seven seasons in Cleveland.
Center: Brad Daugherty
As Cleveland’s preeminent big man for a decade, the No. 1 pick of the 1986 draft averaged 19.0 points and 9.5 rebounds over eight seasons (he spent 10 years on the roster but did not play his final two seasons due to back problems). Daugherty was a five-time All-star who averaged a double-double his last four seasons. Upon his retirement in 1997 he was the Cavs’ all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
Second team
Mark Price (PG), Austin Carr (SG), Kevin Love (PF), Campy Russell (SF) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (center).
Honorable mention
Darius Garland (PG), Bingo Smith (SG) Mike Mitchell (SF), Kenny Carr (PF), Jim Chones (C).