And just like that, it's here. The NBA regular season tipped off last night with three games on the schedule. If this were a high school triple header with Varsity, JV, and Freshman games the Cavs vs. Wizards definitely played the role of the frosh . With that being said, I loved what I saw out of these 'kids' on opening night. Coming into the year fans had very mixed emotions about the off-season (or lack thereof) moves made by the Cavs. With a surprise top pick (Dion) and a relatively quiet free agency period (CJ Miles?), Cleveland fans came into the year excited but reserved. Well Cavs fans, I think we can finally let our guards down again.
Ever since that one guy, who is kind of the best player on the planet, left town, Cleveland hasn't been the prettiest site for basketball. After a record breaking (in a very bad way) season 2 years ago, there wasn't much reason for hope here on the shores of Lake Erie. That was until a mid season trade netted the Cavs an extra lottery pick and a little glimmer of hope.
From that seed came the 'lottery special', where the NBA determines the order of which each team will draft by selecting ping pong balls on live television. On that night in May 2011, Nick Gilbert, son of owner Dan, changed the Cavaliers fortune and future in a big way. With under a three percent chance of winning the #1 overall pick, Nick brought the Cavs enough luck to somehow do just that. The best part about it was that the Cavs won the rights to the #1 selection with the pick they had received from the LA Clippers alongside Baron Davis in a trade for Mo Williams. I'd say the Cavs did pretty good on that particular trade.
With that pick the Cavs drafted Kyrie Irving. Irving was a super-talented point guard out of Duke who played just 11 career collegiate games due to injury. There were many people who thought going a different route, such as taking Arizona forward Derick Williams, would be more beneficial for the Cavaliers. Good thing those people aren't in charge of basketball operations in Cleveland. The Cavs also owned the 4rth overall pick that year and selected Tristan Thompson. Thompson has consistently showed improvement since joining the Cavs and looks poised to be the starting PF for a long time.
As for Irving, a year and a half after the Cavs made him their #1 selection it is clear he's on the fast track to becoming a SUPERstar. A top 10 player in this league for years to come. In his first season Irving ran away with the rookie of the year award and showed flashes of greatness. He averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, and almost 4 boards a game while shooting 87, 47, and 40 percent on FT's, FG's and 3P's respectively. Aside from those outstanding numbers, Kyrie showed what very few players have in their game, a true clutch gene in the 4rth quarter. Despite his stellar play, the Cavs were still a sub .500 team and after Anderson Varejzo (among others) suffered significant injuries, the Cavs wound up with another top 5 pick for the 2012 draft.
With that pick the Cavs selected SG Dion Waiters. Later on in the same draft, the Cavs traded up to select center Tyler Zellers out of North Carolina. When all was said and done the Cavs had gotten a starting caliber player at every position except SF (Lebron?) through the last 2 drafts. With all that young talent and an owner who is willing to do whatever it takes to win things are looking up in Cleveland. You throw in a few wiley vets such as Varejao plus a well respected head coach who specializes in developing young players, and it's natural to be excited about the future.
Now don't take this as me proclaiming the Cavs will battle the Heat and Celtics for supremacy in the East this year. It is definitely going to take some time. It won't always be pretty. Cleveland has the youngest team in the NBA by far and some nights it will show. But with a young star like Irving mixed in with all the other elements going for the Cavs right now, Cleveland and its fans have reason to be optimistic. Reason to go pack the Q again. In a few years the Cavs will be back on top so until then just sit back and enjoy the ride up.
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