Enough time has passed.  Resuming the countdown, we arrive at the 6th greatest Cavalier of all-time, Andre Miller.  Andre had several years with the Cavs where he was one of the few consistent players who legitimately deserved to have the prestige of representing the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Andre was born 34 years ago in Los Angeles, California.  The 6 foot 2" point guard played all 4 years at the University of Utah, something you rarely see great players do now-a-day's. 

In 1998, Andre led Utah to the NCAA championship, where they lost to Kentucky.  He had the pleasure of playing alongside the great Keith Van Horn.  Miller also made headlines when he had a rare triple-double in the NCAA tournament.  Unlike a select few un-educated players in Miami, Andre actually has a college degree as he earned his Bachelors in Sociology. 

The Cavaliers saw real upside with Miller and drafted him with the 8th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.  In his rookie season, he started 36 games and quickly proved his worth on the court.  Andre averaged an impressive 11 points per game, to go along with almost 6 assists.

After the Cavaliers moved Shawn Kemp out of the picture, this was pretty much Andre's team.  In the 2000-2001 season he would lead the Cavaliers in points scored.  He averaged 15.8 per game, on a team with Lamond Murray, Wesley Person, Trajan Langdon, and Brevin Knight.  Unfortunately, that year the Cavaliers weren't exactly playoff-caliber, as the 30-52 record might suggest. 

After the season, coach Randy Wittman was replaced and in came John Lucas.  Andre was already established as the starting point guard and his numbers would only get better.  He shot 45% from the field that year, and led the Cavaliers in just a few minor categories: games played, minutes played, assists, field goals attempted, free throws attempted, and he posted an impressive 126 steals on the year.   

Other than a few Ricky Davis dunks, Andre Miller pretty much was the 2001-2002 Cavaliers.  Without enough (or any) help surrounding him, the Cavaliers record would get worse, and they finished 29-53 on the season. 

After the season, Andre Miller was inexplicably traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for one, Darius Miles.  Although Darius also could dunk, this was essentially throwing in the towel on the 2002-2003 season, as we gave away our best playmaker in Miller.  Andre's stats and play had improved every season and he should have been held on to for much longer.

Andre would spend only one year in Los Angeles before he was signed a multi-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.  He would play a huge part in the Nuggets rise to respectability in the Western Conference.  He has never had problems with durability;  Andre had only missed 3 games in his first 7 seasons in the NBA.  Compare that to one, Prince James, who for all intents and purposes missed two games in the playoff series with the Boston Celtics this year.

He would play 3 productive seasons in Denver before playing from 2006-2009 with the Philadelphia 76ers.  They really were never going to be a competitive team, and in 2009 Miller decided to take his talents to Portland, inking a 3 year, $21 million dollar contract. 

During his time in Cleveland, he was on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, became the first player in Cleveland history to win player of the week twice, and also set a franchise record for total assists in a season (882).  He also was the only NBA player to average 10+ assists and points during the 2001–02 NBA season.  He played the game at an uptempo speed and caused match-up problems against other Point Guards in the league. 

I'll never forget how his feet barely came off the floor when he took 3-point shots.  It was like he was barely even jumping.  Luckily he escaped Cleveland before the 17-65 team took the floor the next year.  Andre was a great Cavalier and he gave the Cleveland franchise far more than they deserved at the time.  He rarely dunked, but as you'll see, when he decided to, he was going to do it big.  His passing ability was spectacular and he always played to win.  Andre Miller is Underrated

It's a pretty big deal to make the Top 10 on LeBron James is Underrated's 20 greatest Cavaliers of all-time.  Lamond Murray should feel honored.  He played only a few years for the Cavaliers, but his time was appreciated.

Lamond played his college basketball at the University of California, alongside Jason Kidd.  He was a solid scorer, great rebounder, and a physical presence for Cal.  Kidd and Murray made for an exciting Golden Bears team to watch, and they made two consecutive NCAA tournaments.  Lamond was somewhat overshadowed by phenom J-Kidd, but he was still a force and everyone knew he would be a 1st round draft pick.

Unfortunately, Murray's career was screwed right off the bat. He had the unfortunate experience of being dafted by the Clippers with the 7th overall pick in the 1994 draft.  Nobody wants to play for the Clippers.  So, he was essentially in basketball purgatory until 1999, when they mercifully traded him to Cleveland.  The Cavaliers sent Derek Anderson and Johnny Newman to the Clippers.

Lamond came to the Cavaliers ready to make an impact, and he certainly did.  In the 1999-2000 season, he appeared in 74 games, averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds a game.  Pretty solid numbers when you consider he was playing alongside Bobby Sura, Earl Boykins,Wesley Person, and Shawn Kemp.  At 6 ft. 7" and 235 lbs, he was big for the small forward position and presented match-up problems for other teams.  He often used his strength and tenacity to drive the lane and finish with a nasty dunk.  Not to mention he was a consistent jump shooter. 

Unfortunately that year, Coach Randy Wittman led the Cavaliers to a 32-50 campaign and missed the playoffs.  Not exactly what Lamond had in mind when he came to a Cleveland team with a decent amount of talent.  During these tough times, I remember that Lamond Murray made the Cavs somewhat watchable.  I applaud him for that. 

The next year, nothing got better.  Even with the addition of Andre Miller, the team posted a 30-52 season.  Lamond and Miller were the two bright spots on what was otherwise a pretty terrible team.  So the Cavaliers solution the next season?  Fire Randy Wittman, hire John Lucas, and sign Ricky Davis.  Hmm.  It wasn't really a surprise that the Cavaliers finished 29-53.  Lamond did lead the Cavaliers in scoring with 16.6 points per game, but this team and franchise were in shambles.

Lamond wanted out of Cleveland, and the front office granted him his wish.  You can't really blame him.  He was upset that the Cavaliers traded Andre Miller for Darius Miles.  Fortunately, he didn't have to take part in the miserable 17-65 season the year before we drafted LeBron.  He played two seasons in Toronto, and then another in New Jersey.  Lamond, we respect you for your time in Cleveland.  You made a terrible team fun to watch on occasion.  You even made wearing the mask fashionable.  Lamond Murray is Underrated

                        

We've arrived at the halfway point of the countdown, and only 10 remain.  It's no surprise that the "Reign Man" makes the list at #10, as Shawn Kemp is one the greatest and most unforgettable Cavaliers of all-time.  Although he had his share of problems, and didn't quite live up to the expectations, like several others he makes the countdown for his sheer dunking ability.
  
The legendary Shawn Kemp was born in Elkhart, Indiana in 1969.  He balled at Concord High School, and after graduating signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Kentucky.  The story of why he didn't end up playing for the Wildcats is priceless.  Allegedly (likely), he was kicked off the team before the start of the season for pawning two gold chains for $800, that belonged to his teammate Sean Sutton.  Have to admire his entrepreneurial mindset.  He transferred to Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, but it was too late in the season for him to play.  After one semester, Shawn Kemp at 19 years of age declared himself for the 1989 NBA Draft. 

At 6 ft. 10" and 280 lbs, the Seattle Supersonics drafted Kemp in the 1st round with the 17th overall pick.  He quickly made an impact in Seattle, and was instantly one of the elite ballers in the Association.  He was one of the NBA's premiere dunkers, and could jump out of the building.  The Reign Man was the youngest player in the league, and arguably the most exciting.  Halfcourt alley-oop connections from Gary Payton to Shawn Kemp became the norm.  GP and Kemp were an unreal duo, and their team was pretty successful. 

Kemp played for the "Dream Team 2" in 1994, when the USA went on to win the Gold at the World Basketball championship.  Some say his career peaked during the 1995-1996 season, when Seattle won a franchise-record 64 games, and made an NBA Finals appearance.  He also led the league in rebounding for the 3rd straight year.  Unfortunately, the NBA championship dreams were dashed due to a matchup with Michael Jordan and the 72 regular-season win Chicago Bulls.  The series did go 6 games, but MJ was not about to be denied. 

After the Finals, Kemp thought he was due for a raise.  For reasons unknown, Seattle instead gave an unknown scrub Jim McIlvaine a 5 year, $35 million contract.  The entire Supersonics fan base was enraged, as was the Reign Man.  The growing tension with management resulted in the blockbuster trade that sent Kemp to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He promised he would not report to training camp if he was still a Supersonic.  He cut off all communication with the team, and even refused phone calls from Gary Payton. 

The Cavs acquired the 5-time all star from Seattle along with point guard Sherman Douglas from the Milwaukee Bucks.  In turn, the Cavaliers sent All-star PG Terrell Brandon, Tyrone Hill, and our 1998 first-round pick to Milwaukee, who sent their All-Star forward Vin Baker to Seattle.

He became a rich man when he got to Cleveland.  Management made him the 5th member of the NBA's $100 million club when they offered him an extension.  Reports were that the deal was worth around $107 million for 7 years.  He appreciated the gesture of faith.

Shawn Kemp's tenure as a Cleveland Cavalier would only last from 1997 to 2000, and his career was on the downside.  We welcomed him with open arms, and were excited to have a player who was at least once an All-Star.  Wayne Embry after the Cavaliers signed Kemp, "Cavs owner Gordon Gund has made a commitment to get the team back in contention for an NBA championship.  We all look forward to many exciting years of Shawn Kemp leading the Cavaliers."

He battled weight problems, and wasn't exactly the "Reign Man" anymore.  During a preseason exhibition game, he left the bench when he saw teammate Vitaly Potapenko get punched by Minnesota's Clifford Rozier.  He was suspended for the season opener, and was fined $107,000.  Give him credit for sticking up for his teammate.  He appeared in 80 games that season, and led the Cavaliers in scoring with 18 points per game, shooting almost 45% from the field. 

The Cavaliers were ready to relieve themselves of his enormous contract, and traded him to Portland after the 1999-2000 season.  It was all downhill from there; It appeared that his time in Cleveland would be his last mildly-respectable campaign.  His weight became a serious issue, and he struggled with cocaine and alcohol addictions.  His season ended early when he entered drug rehab.  It is also well documented that he fathered 7 children by 6 women.  Kemp was arrested several times for marijuana possession, and his NBA comeback attempt did not look likely. 

He has done some positive things in his life, let's not forget.  In 1989, he dressed up like Santa and gave out food and toys to poor children.  As of late he has turned things around somewhat, and in April of 2008 he donated $70,000 to the YMCA in his hometown of Elkhart.  "My family and I are happy to give back to the Elkhart community and support the YMCA’s campaign to help local kids,” Kemp said in a statement. “The Elkhart YMCA is where it all started for me as a basketball player and Elkhart will always be home to me.”

Shawn Kemp is a Cavalier and NBA great.  The sad story of his decline does not take away from the fact that he is widely considered one one the Association's most electrifying dunkers of all-time.  He is currently playing with Premiata Montegranaro, a team in Italy.  Cleveland got to witness some of the last days of this legend, and we should consider ourselves pretty lucky for his time here.  The Reign Man will not be forgotten.  Shawn Kemp is Underrated

                    

You better believe he was going to make the list.  At #14, we arrive at legendary Cavalier, Bobby Sura.  One of my favorite Cavaliers of all-time, Bobby picked up the game of basketball at age 4.  His uncle built him a wooden goal to practice on, and he took advantage of it.

Bobby played his high-school b-ball at G.A.R Memorial High in Pennsylvania, where he lead his team to two consecutive state championship games.  He was voted Pennysylvania small-school player of the year in 1991 after he averaged more than 35 points a game.  Bob was pretty much the real deal.  He set the school record for points scored, and in four years his team went a perfect 80-0 in league play.

Somehow, Bob was still not heavily recruited after his domination in high school, but he soon made headlines when he dropped 68 points in a single game.  This convinced Florida State head coach Pat Kennedy to offer him a scholarship, and he took his game to the collegiate ranks.

As a true freshman, Sura was named ACC rookie of the week 3 times.  He also was named ACC rookie of the year, a nice little exclamation point to a great freshman season.  In Bobby's sophmore campaign, he averaged almost 20 points a game.  FSU finished 25-10, and came within one game of making the final four.  He was the face of the team the next two years, and was named to the All-ACC first team.  Additionally, he was the only Seminole ever to finish with 2000 points, 700 rebounds, 400 assists, and 200 steals.  Talk about doing it all.

The Cavaliers were well-aware of Bob Sura's basketball talents, and thus drafted him with the 17th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft.  Wearing the classic jersey #3, he brought a level of excitement to the franchise.  He could play both guard positions, and had great ball-handling skills.  Don't forget about his above-average leaping ability, solid rebounding skills, and ability to defend. 

Bobby Sura took part in All-Star weekend multiple times.  His rookie season he played in the Rookie/Sophmore challenge.  He also was in the 3-point contest and even made an appearance alongisde Kobe Bryant in the 1997 Dunk Contest.  His best season in a Cavaliers uniform was his last, when in 1999-2000 he averaged 13.8 points a game.  The Cavaliers traded him to the Golden State Warriors after that season however.  He also made stints in Atlanta, Detroit, and Houston before he unofficially ended his playing career in 2007.

When he played in Atlanta, he was still a solid scorer.  Bobby made news when he almost recorded a third consecutive triple-double, in true Ricky-Davis fashion.  Already notching two-straight triple-doubles, he intentionally missed a layup to grab that elusive 10th rebound.  The league eventually took the rebound away, but we all credited him for at least "trying".

Bob Sura will always remain in the heart of Cavaliers fans everywhere.  His ability to jump and the excitement he brought to the game was admirable.  On a team with Shawn Kemp and Derek Anderson in 1997, Bob Sura was arguably the best dunker.  He was a legitimate threat as a shooting guard in the Association during his time.  Bobby Sura is Underrated   

                      

Let's be real: I have no grounds for making this pick.  Wesley Person sneaks in at #15 on my list.. and I'm not even really sure why.  It's my 22nd birthday today, so don't ask questions.  Wes was born in Alabama, and attended the University of Auburn.  He was well-regarded for his shooting ability, and was expected to be a 1st round draft pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. 

The Phoenix Suns saw something they liked in Person, and drafted him with the 24th overall pick.  He only played three forgettable seasons in Phoenix before the Cavaliers acquired him in 1997.  The Cavaliers saw a solid player and a great perimeter threat, and he was a key part of the 97-98 season.  That year happened to be his best statistical season, when he averaged 14.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.53 steals a game.

Speaking of the 1997 season, this was pretty much Wesley's best as a professional basketball player.  He played in all 82 games, shot 43% from the 3 point line, and averaged 39 minutes a game.  His 3 point stroke was nothing to joke about: he led the league in both 3's made and attempted.  Playing alongside Wes Person that year was Brevin Knight, Danny Ferry, Shawn Kemp, Bob Sura, and a rookie named Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  In one of his best games that year, he scored 31 points.. coming off the bench.  When he was on, he was one of the best pure shooters in the Assocation.  Combine Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan, and you get Wesley Person.. sort of.

The Good News: that year we finished 47-35, and made the playoffs.  The Cavaliers were the best defensive team in the league.  The Bad News: the Cavaliers got bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs, losing 3 games to 1 to the Indiana Pacers.  Wesley finished the year second in scoring for Cleveland behind the legendary (I use the term lightly) Shawn Kemp. 

The Cavaliers and Wesley Person parted ways after the 2002 season.  He played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and Denver Nuggets before his playing days were over in 2005.  Clearly his best years were in Cleveland.

Wesley Person represents the good-old-Cavalier-days of the late 90's.  The man was a threat from behind the arc every time he touched the ball.  His career 3 point percentage was almost 42%.  Makes sense that he was selected to compete in multiple All-Star Weekend 3 point shootout contests.  Although he never did win one, his presence in the festivities made me proud to be a Cavaliers fan.  I'm not sure how he made it higher on the list than Terrell Brandon and Bobby Phills, but I think it's because I saw more of him.  He blossomed early and faded quickly, but he is still a Cavalier great.  LeBron never got the chance to dial-up Wesley, but he told me he wishes Wes-P had stuck around for a few more years.  It's true, Wesley Person is Underrated

                    

At this point, I'm making my picks and sticking with them.  I'm sure that there will be many who see the remaining 17 and say, "How could he put him over Terrell?"  The reason is, because I didn't truly start watching all of the games until the 1996 season, Terrell's last with the Cavaliers.  My top 20 list is dedicated to those Cavaliers I can remember watching.

That being said, #18 on our list is the great Terrell Brandon.  Born in Portland, Oregon, Terrell attended Grant High School and eventually went on to lead his team to the Division III state title in 1988, the same year I was born.

Terrell decided to attend the University of Oregon, and he immediately was identified as top NBA recruit for the 1991 NBA Draft.  The Cleveland Cavaliers selected 5 foot 11" Brandon with the 11th pick overrall.  He naturally became the leader of team, which had historically been a mockery in the Association.  He kept developing his skillset, and eventually was named an Eastern Conference All-Star in 1996, and then again in 1997.  That's impressive for a mediocre team at best.

Terrell never really fully appreciated his nickname, "The Lone Ranger" but did admit that it fit his personality.  "I'm a people person when I'm with people," he said, "but I'm not out there to meet people."  In a 1997 Sports Illustrated issue, Terrell was named the Best Point Guard in the NBA.  Pretty impressive when you consider he was playing on a team that finished 42-40, good enough for 5th place in the Central Division.  He played alongside other Top 20 candidates Danny Ferry, Bobby Phills, and Bob Sura.

In the Sports Illustrated issue, Brandon was touted for his focus on basketball and not on being a superstar.  He was quoted as saying that there's not a city in the NBA that he could describe, nor a restaurant that he could name.  "People think I'm going to use my money to buy cars," he said, "but I'd rather give it to my church, to my family, do something I can be proud of. All those days sitting in the hotel room, looking out the window, this is what I'm thinking about. What can I do to make my son 5 year old Trevor proud of me. What can I do so my parents will be proud of me."

The simplicity of his life surprised many. He sought no endorsements, no press coverage, none of the trappings of stardom. "This life is easy if you let it be," he explained, bewildered that anyone might court fuss. "I won't complicate mine. I play the game, go home, wait for the next day. I don't want any stress in my life."

In addition to being dubbed "The Best Point Guard in the NBA" in 1997, Brandon also won the NBA Sportsmanship Award.  Class all the way.  Brandon was traded along with Tyrone Hill in 1997 to the Milwaukee Bucks, in the infamous Shawn Kemp deal.  He finished his career in Minnesota and retired in 2001.

Those are a few things that separate "The Lone Ranger" from some of today's players, whose focus seems to be on celebrity status, advertising dollars, and creating a media buzz about their every move.  Holding a city hostage, while the head coach gets fired in an attempt to satisfy his every desire.  Wait a minute, that kind of sounds like LeBron now that I think about it.  The King could learn a thing or too from Terrell.  Terrell Brandon is Underrated