Cavs Season Review
Oct 23, 2015 1:48:56 GMT
Post by dramakng01 on Oct 23, 2015 1:48:56 GMT
1990-91 CAVS SEASON REVIEW
It has been one crazy roller coaster ride for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the last year. The Cavs finished last season 26-56, the worst record in franchise history. Seeing a veteran roster full of parts that simply didn't fit well together, the front office knew that they would have to make some major changes if the Cavs would get back to one of the best teams.
And so major changes WERE made. Only four players from last season's failed roster came back this season - Marques Johnson, Pooh Richardson, Dino Radja, and George Gervin. Through several trades and a few free agency signings, a new team was made seemingly overnight and with it came big expectations. The front office were confident they had a playoff team and a young core of players to build around. With all of the moves, the everyone inside the organization had an expectation of going 45-37 and, hopefully, getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs. But most other GMs disagreed, with most expecting to be right back in the lottery again.
And there were parts of the season where the naysayers looked to be right. Going into the All-Star Break, the Cavs were 25-26 and couldn't figure out a way to improve things. But Cleveland went 22-9 after the break, showing some grit and proving that there's something to build on. Even though Cleveland had its ups and downs throughout the season, they ended the regular season 47-35 and the 5th seed in the playoffs. The Cavs were a balanced team that controlled the boards, played tough post defense, and scored efficiently. But they lacked a true go-to scorer and struggled defensively, sending opponents to the foul line far too often and not being able to force turnovers consistently. But all in all, most would agree that the season was a success.
And so major changes WERE made. Only four players from last season's failed roster came back this season - Marques Johnson, Pooh Richardson, Dino Radja, and George Gervin. Through several trades and a few free agency signings, a new team was made seemingly overnight and with it came big expectations. The front office were confident they had a playoff team and a young core of players to build around. With all of the moves, the everyone inside the organization had an expectation of going 45-37 and, hopefully, getting to the 2nd round of the playoffs. But most other GMs disagreed, with most expecting to be right back in the lottery again.
And there were parts of the season where the naysayers looked to be right. Going into the All-Star Break, the Cavs were 25-26 and couldn't figure out a way to improve things. But Cleveland went 22-9 after the break, showing some grit and proving that there's something to build on. Even though Cleveland had its ups and downs throughout the season, they ended the regular season 47-35 and the 5th seed in the playoffs. The Cavs were a balanced team that controlled the boards, played tough post defense, and scored efficiently. But they lacked a true go-to scorer and struggled defensively, sending opponents to the foul line far too often and not being able to force turnovers consistently. But all in all, most would agree that the season was a success.
CAVS TEAM AWARDS
Let's take a look at some of the key players that made this season such a success:
Team MVP: Roy Tarpley
Stats: 34.6 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG
Tarpley was brought in to be one of the stars, so everyone had high expectations. But Tarpley surprised everyone with his great play and exceeded expectations. Even the Pistons GM seemed to regret trading the underrated big man when it was all said and done. Tarpley was the most consistent player and led the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. He also set new career highs in points and blocks. He has proven that he truly is an elite player who can do it all.
Runner Up: Marques Johnson
Team Offensive Player of the Year: Marques Johnson
Stats: 36.4 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.0 SPG
Johnson had another strong year where he made his presence felt in every aspect of the offense. He led the team (and all SFs in the league) in shooting percentage at 55.7% and was 2nd in the league among SFs in assists. He was the team's second leading scorer and most reliable scorer due to his high efficiency and versatility.
Runner Up: Roy Tarpley
Team Defensive Player of the Year: Alvin Robertson
Stats: 29.4 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.7 SPG
Robertson didn't have the season anyone expected overall, but he was clearly as good of a defender as advertised. As an undersized SG, he found himself having to go up against much bigger and stronger superstar players - and found himself struggling to shut them down. However, he was more often an asset than liability and it shows in his defensive stats: he was 3rd in the league in steals and had an incredible drive stop % of 98.9%, all while having to cover for the below average perimeter defenders on the team.
Runner Up: Roy Tarpley
Most Improved Player: Pooh Richardson
Stats: 35.9 MPG, 11.8 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 10.1 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG
The biggest surprise of the Cavs' season has to be the development of Richardson. While any outsider were skeptical of how well the Cavs would be with Richardson running the team, the Cavs were confident he could develop into a capable traditional PG. While he was often times a defensive liability, with an abysmal drive stop % of 46.9%, he was fantastic on offense. He was an efficient scorer who could stretch the floor and was 5th in the league in assists. As impressive as he was, there are concerns that his lack of defense may make him better suited coming off the bench. Either way, he's proven to everyone that he belongs in this league and will continue to be a big part of Cleveland's plans moving forward.
Runner Up: Antoine Carr
Sixth Man of the Year: Dino Radja
Stats: 16.8 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.4 SPG
The bench has been a concern all season but Radja has been one of the few bright spots. He's a young player who continues to improve and impress with his offense and rebounding. He was the most consistent reserve for the Cavs and they hope to bring him back next.
Runner up: Freeman Williams
Stats: 34.6 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.9 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.9 SPG
Tarpley was brought in to be one of the stars, so everyone had high expectations. But Tarpley surprised everyone with his great play and exceeded expectations. Even the Pistons GM seemed to regret trading the underrated big man when it was all said and done. Tarpley was the most consistent player and led the team in points, rebounds, and blocks. He also set new career highs in points and blocks. He has proven that he truly is an elite player who can do it all.
Runner Up: Marques Johnson
Team Offensive Player of the Year: Marques Johnson
Stats: 36.4 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.0 SPG
Johnson had another strong year where he made his presence felt in every aspect of the offense. He led the team (and all SFs in the league) in shooting percentage at 55.7% and was 2nd in the league among SFs in assists. He was the team's second leading scorer and most reliable scorer due to his high efficiency and versatility.
Runner Up: Roy Tarpley
Team Defensive Player of the Year: Alvin Robertson
Stats: 29.4 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.4 BPG, 1.7 SPG
Robertson didn't have the season anyone expected overall, but he was clearly as good of a defender as advertised. As an undersized SG, he found himself having to go up against much bigger and stronger superstar players - and found himself struggling to shut them down. However, he was more often an asset than liability and it shows in his defensive stats: he was 3rd in the league in steals and had an incredible drive stop % of 98.9%, all while having to cover for the below average perimeter defenders on the team.
Runner Up: Roy Tarpley
Most Improved Player: Pooh Richardson
Stats: 35.9 MPG, 11.8 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 10.1 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG
The biggest surprise of the Cavs' season has to be the development of Richardson. While any outsider were skeptical of how well the Cavs would be with Richardson running the team, the Cavs were confident he could develop into a capable traditional PG. While he was often times a defensive liability, with an abysmal drive stop % of 46.9%, he was fantastic on offense. He was an efficient scorer who could stretch the floor and was 5th in the league in assists. As impressive as he was, there are concerns that his lack of defense may make him better suited coming off the bench. Either way, he's proven to everyone that he belongs in this league and will continue to be a big part of Cleveland's plans moving forward.
Runner Up: Antoine Carr
Sixth Man of the Year: Dino Radja
Stats: 16.8 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.4 SPG
The bench has been a concern all season but Radja has been one of the few bright spots. He's a young player who continues to improve and impress with his offense and rebounding. He was the most consistent reserve for the Cavs and they hope to bring him back next.
Runner up: Freeman Williams