I still remember the first time I walked into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse back in 2018, the energy just hit me differently. There's something special about Cleveland basketball that gets into your blood, especially when you start digging into the incredible players who've worn that wine and gold jersey. Today I want to share my personal take on the top 10 Cavaliers NBA players who truly dominated the court throughout the franchise's history.
Let's start with the obvious one - LeBron James. I mean, could there be any other number one? The man delivered Cleveland's first championship in 52 years with that legendary 2016 comeback against the 73-9 Warriors. What people sometimes forget is that he put up 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists in those finals while playing every single minute of games 5 through 7. I've watched that block on Iguodala probably 87 times, and I still get chills. His two separate stints with the Cavs created completely different eras of basketball in Northeast Ohio, and frankly, I don't think we'll ever see another athlete mean so much to a city.
Kyrie Irving deserves his spot here too, though I'll admit I have mixed feelings about how things ended. That shot in Game 7? Pure ice in his veins. I was sitting in section 112 when he hit that three over Steph Curry with 53 seconds left, and the entire building just erupted. During his six seasons with Cleveland, he averaged about 22 points and 5.5 assists, but numbers don't capture his handles - I've never seen anyone break ankles quite like Kyrie.
Then there's Brad Daugherty, the original big man who carried the franchise in its early days. People today might not realize he averaged 19 points and 9.5 rebounds through his eight seasons before back injuries cut his career short. I recently watched some classic games from the 1992 playoffs where he took the Bulls to six games, and his footwork in the post was just beautiful basketball.
Mark Price was before my time, but my dad used to rave about his shooting. Apparently he was the first player ever to join the 50-40-90 club while averaging over 15 points and 7 assists, which is ridiculous when you think about it. I've seen the stats - he shot 47.2% from three in the 1989 season, which would be elite even by today's standards.
Speaking of underrated players, I feel like Austin Carr doesn't get enough love nowadays. The original Cavalier averaged 21.2 points in his first four seasons and still holds the franchise record for points in a game with 61. My grandfather used to tell me stories about watching him play at the old Coliseum, said he had the smoothest mid-range game he'd ever seen.
Larry Nance Sr. brought that defensive presence we desperately needed in the late 80s. I looked it up recently - he still holds the Cavs record for blocks with 1,087, and his son continuing that legacy was just perfect basketball poetry.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas was the steady presence through so many important years. People forget he battled foot injuries early on but came back to become a two-time All-Star. That high-arching jumper from the top of the key was money every single time.
Kevin Love's transformation from Minnesota's number one option to Cleveland's crucial third piece was fascinating to watch. I'll never forget his 34-point first quarter against Portland in 2016 or his crucial stop on Steph Curry in the final minutes of Game 7. His outlet passes alone were worth the price of admission.
World B. Free literally saved basketball in Cleveland during some rough years in the early 80s. The man averaged 23.4 points during his four seasons here and brought that showmanship that kept people coming to games. I recently found his rookie card at a flea market and felt like I'd uncovered hidden treasure.
Rounding out my list is Terrell Brandon, the local kid from Portland who made good. His two All-Star appearances in the mid-90s were well-deserved, and I always admired his efficient game - he nearly joined the 50-40-90 club in 1996 while averaging 19 points and 7 assists.
Thinking about all these players reminds me of something current Cavs player Isaac Okoro said recently about bringing maturity and aggressiveness from his national team experience to the Cavaliers. He mentioned, "Hopefully, my maturity, since I have more exposure now, I can bring that to the team and also teach them the little things I learned and the aggressiveness of being in the national team." That mentality connects directly to what made these top 10 Cavaliers NBA players so special - they all brought something beyond just stats to the court. They understood the little things that make teams win, the aggressive mindset needed to dominate, and how to elevate everyone around them.
What strikes me looking at this list is how each player brought their own unique flavor to the franchise. From LeBron's otherworldly talent to Price's surgical precision to Love's championship-saving defensive plays, they all found different ways to leave their mark. I've been lucky enough to watch most of these guys play live, and what stays with you isn't just the numbers - it's the moments. The roar of the crowd after a big play, the way the arena holds its breath during a crucial free throw, the shared joy of watching Cleveland basketball history unfold. These top Cavaliers players didn't just dominate statistically - they captured the heart of a city that lives and breathes basketball, and that's why we're still talking about them years, sometimes decades, later.