Post by entrapy on Aug 19, 2014 10:27:27 GMT
Despite wearing the Cavaliers jersey for only a season, Shaq will never be forgotten by the Cleveland faithful. The Big Diesel is one of the best centers, if not the best center, to ever play in NBADSL. He can drop 30/10 in his sleep which he proved during the 2005 playoffs. In one of the most memorable post season memories in Cavs history, Shaq carried a hobbled Cleveland team, with Billups being the second best player, to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic. If only LeBron wasn’t injured a week before the playoffs, Shaq and the city of Cleveland could have had another ring on their fingers.
Starting Power Forward: Andrea Bargnani
Bargs had to battle against the slightly past-his-prime Dirk Nowitzki and the monstrous Zach Randolph to earn his spot in the all-time starting five. Andrea’s sweet shooting stroke has been a sight to behold during the chuck era of the Cavaliers. His defense is not too shabby either, tallying at least a steal and a block a game during his prime. Bargnani is an amazing talent but when you pair him with Shaq, you’ll be looking at one unstoppable front court.Starting Small Forward: LeBron James
Is there any doubt that James will hold this position? LeBron is unarguably the best player to play all 15 seasons and his back for his 16th season, ring-chasing, with the Grizzlies. The King had 7 fruitful years in Cleveland both in an individual and a team standpoint. He carried the team to the playoffs in every year he’s on the team averaging colossal numbers on the way. The fans are still hoping he returns home to try and win a chip with the new kid in town, Kyrie Irving.Starting Shooting Guard: Caron Butler
Caron, unfortunately, will only be a footnote in the Cavaliers championship run in the eyes of an average fan. Most of them will remember Kyrie Irving’s coming out party but none of Butler’s heroics. Caron and his inside-out game along with his tireless defense brought Irving and the whole Cavaliers team to the next level. When the young guys faltered in the spotlight, he came through for the team. This is why he deserves a spot in the starting five and the history of Cleveland basketball.Starting Point Guard: Kyrie Irving
Irving gave the city of Cleveland something LeBron cannot give them: a ring. Despite being only a third year player, Kyrie spearheaded an underdog Cavaliers squad to its first and only championship in league history. A couple of years later, he again accomplished something LeBron has not, win an MVP award. He’s still only 26 but the fans hope he can continue carrying this team for the next decade in the hopes of once again returning to the promise land. Backup Big Men: Dwight Howard, Zach Randolph and Dirk Nowitzki
This triad skillsets perfectly complements each other and they give the team everything it needs from its backup big men. Howard is a 20/10 big man with sensational defense; ZBo offers unstoppable post offense and unflappable rebounding; and Dirk gives the team an inside-out threat that would stretch the floor for his frontcourt partner. When Shaq and Bargs sit down, the Cavaliers will never have to worry about a significant production drop.Backup Wing Players: Rudy Gay and Klay Thompson
Need a slasher to get you easy buckets or someone to get your shooters wide open? Here is Rudy Gay. How about a shooter to stretch the floor for these slashers and your big men? Klay Thompson is your man. Both may not be world beaters on defense but they don’t need to with Shaq and Howard manning the middle.Backup Guards: Chauncey Billups and Josh Childress
Billups and Childress are versatile enough to both handle the ball and play off the ball which is essential with Irving and James on the team. The duos shooting works well with Shaq, ZBo and James inside game while their defense is a welcome presence to guys like Bargs, Dirk and Irving. Billups late game heroics will ease the burden on James and Irving while Childress ability to play the 3 will help the team’s overall versatility. In short, the duo can only make the team better in all facets of the game.Honorable Mentions: Spencer Hawes, Al Jefferson, Ricky Davis, Jason Richardson and Kyle Lowry
