Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Best Cavaliers Players since 2000
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hosted some of the best players ever to play the game. However, the same hasn't converted to multiple Championships for the franchise along its illustrious timeline in the league.
The lone bright spot in the Cavaliers legacy being the 2016 Finals when the team came back from 3-1 down in the series to take the title. The Championship broke the 52-year drought in Cleveland and meant that LeBron James kept his promise to the city.
Throughout the talented line of players who have donned the wine-n-gold, some have really stood out in the modern era of the NBA landscape. Let's take a look at some of the best Cavaliers since the year 2000.
Honorable Mention:
Anderson Varejao(2004-2016)
Varejao was traded to the Cavs in July of 2004 and ended up playing over 11 seasons with the franchise. During the 2012-13 season, he averaged a career-high 14.1 points and 14.4 rebounds (another career-high) per game.
Originally from Brazil, Varejao became a fan favourite in Cleveland, playing center/power-forward for the Cavaliers. He was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second team in 2010 and was also a former Euroleague Champion in 2003.
Known for his hustle and lively nature on the court, he became a symbol of the Cleveland franchise loved by all. In February of 2016, he signed with the Golden State Warriors and laid end to his distinguished Cavaliers legacy.
#1 LeBron James(2003-2010, 2014-2018)
The Cavaliers picked LeBron as the first overall pick of the 2003 draft and the rest is history written in golden words. The King spent his first seven seasons in Cleveland, bagging six All-Star berths and a Rookie of the Year award.
"The Decision" to leave his city and join the forces of Bosh and Wade down in Miami met with huge backlash, but this relationship was far from being severed. James returned in 2014 after having won two Championships with the Heat and tipped off the sequel to his Cavaliers legacy.
In 2016, He led the team to the city's first major sports title in 52 years. Before signing with the Lakers in 2018, James had been averaging 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals during his time as a Cavalier. He was an All-Star in each and every season he played in Cleveland(except his rookie season) and is widely referred to as the Greatest Cavalier of all time.