Saturday, May 22, 2010

Top 20 Cleveland Cavaliers: #19 Donyell Marshall

It took me a while to justify this pick, but coming in at #19 is Donyell Marshall, a great Cavalier in his own right.  Donyell grew up in Pennsylvania, and was a top basketball recruit in the country after leading his high school team to a 29-2 record his senior year.  He decided to play for UConn, and put together an impressive college resume including 1993 Big East Player of the Year.   

Minnesota drafted D-Marsh with the 4th overall pick in the 1994 draft.  40 games into his rookie season, they decided to trade him to Golden State for Tom Gugliotta.  He played for Golden State until 2000, but playing for the Warriors pretty much makes you irrelevant.  Donyell then was traded to Utah, signed with Chicago, and then was traded to Toronto all before 2003.  In a March 13th, 2005 game with the Raptors, he tied Kobe Bryant's record for three point field goals in a game when he nailed 12 of 19.  That was pretty much Donyell at his best. 

The Cavaliers signed Marshall to a 4 year deal in June of 2005.  The front office was trying to put a core of veterans around LeBron James, in an effort to contend for an NBA championship.  They saw his ability to knock down 3 pointers, and his versatility in guarding both small forwards and power forwards.  He was also known to throw down a nasty dunk on occasion.

D-Marsh was a clutch 3 point shooter, his best season was in 2006.  His three point shooting came in handy during the 2007 playoffs, when he drilled 6 three's in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals vs. the New Jersey Nets.  This helped us advance to the EC Finals vs. Detroit, where we all remember how LeBron took over.

In 2008, the Cavs decided it was time to part ways, and he was traded to the Seattle Supersonics.  Cavs fans should remember Donyell in a positive light, and appreciate his ability to have a big game every once in a while.  I'll also always remember his wardrobe malfunction in 2008 when he attempted to enter a game without his jersey on.  Everyone on the Cavs bench got a good kick out of that one.   

Donyell retired after he played the 2009 season with the Philadelphia 76ers.  He currently is employed by Comcast as a sports broadcaster.  D-Marsh, we will never forget your many three pointers you cashed in wearing #24 for the Cavaliers.  You helped us get to the 2007 NBA finals, and we appreciate it.  Much like Wally, LeBron always dished the rock to 'Yell when he was open, because he knew the man could shoot.  Donyell Marshall is Underrated

                    

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