The Cleveland Cavaliers: No Longer a One Man Team

The predominant view around the legions of NBA fans these days is the Cleveland Cavaliers are still a one dimensional team.

This point of view makes complete sense as they see highlights of LeBron James' dominance night after night all over the television with little else from his teammates.

We aren't far removed from a post season two years ago where James put his teammates on his back and willed the Cavs to the NBA Finals.

In an epic game in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, James scored Cleveland's last 25 points to lead the Cavs to a victory that made such a statement some say it marked the beginning of a new era in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately that new era meant the Boston Celtics were the team on top and not the Cavaliers.

Fans in Cleveland and all through Cavs Nation have been crying for a right-hand man for King James to help get the Cavs over the hump. We have been begging for a Pippen to our Jordan.

As a fan who has followed the Cavaliers from 1986, who has seen this team go from a solid 50-plus win team to a woeful 15-20 win team as well as everything in between, and who has "witnessed" almost all of the games since the LeBron era commenced, let me assure you that this is not a one man show anymore.

First of all, let us determine a formula for a championship team.

You need a dominant mega-superstar.

Secondly, you need another legitimate threat to alleviate the stress on your star.

You also need a commitment to strong defense.

Finally, a set of role players that know their place and execute it well.

The Bulls' dynasty of the Jordan era was a perfect example of this formula.

This 2008-2009 edition of the Cleveland Cavaliers also prescribe to this formula. They are not the one man show they once were.

There have been a number of exits and entrances since that 2007 run to the Finals that ended in a sweep as the Cavs were exposed and obviously over matched for the experienced San Antonio Spurs.

Gone are inconsistent Drew Gooden, underachieving Larry Hughes, flamboyant Damon Jones, mediocre Donyell Marshall et al.

Enter the defensive specialist Ben Wallace, gritty Joe Smith, silky smooth Delonte West and the second-hand man Mo Williams.

So now the Cavs still have their mega-star in LeBron James.

We know what he brings to the table: athleticism, leadership, strength.

Since 2007 he has added a better jumper (shooting percentage improved .011 since 2006-2007), more consistency from beyond the arc (three-point percentage improved .019 since 2006-2007), better free-throw percentage (improved .071 since 2006-2007) and remarkably improved defensive commitment (35 more blocks since 2007 and the season isn't over yet).

But more importantly, the Cavs have added Mo Williams.

The one place the Cavs needed the most improvement was on offense. The Williams addition has improved the Cavs' offense from below 25th to 12th in the N.B.A. (as of 3/30/09). Williams brings a consistent jump shot with the ability to penetrate and create his own shot.

He can shoot from long range and he can score in transition. He is also able to distribute the ball, taking it out of James' hands and allowing LeBron to move without the ball so he can get himself in easier scoring positions.

In addition, Mo Williams playing the point allows Delonte West to move to the two guard where he has thrived.

He still provides an alternative to start the offense if needed, but he is able to score easily as a third or fourth option.

Also his defense has been superb as he has used his long arms to check the opponents shooting guards and has kept them contained.

Big Z is not the player he used to be. The multiple foot surgeries earlier in his career have taken their toll.

He prefers to player outside rather than bang down low with his fellow seven footers.

But he has a smooth shot with good range and has developed a beautiful little pick and pop with Mo and LeBron. Plus, he still may be the best at tip-ins of misses when he does decide to stay in the paint.

Anderson Varejao is pure energy. He represents the role player who knows his place on the team.

He can start or come off the bench. His specialty is his hustle, energy, and uncanny knack to get under the skin of the opponents by getting in their heads.

The bench is even better than it ever has been. This team is deeper than people realize.

The addition of Joe Smith adds much needed depth to the front court which was exposed against the Lakers twice this year.

Now that Smith is back in the flow and once Big Ben Wallace returns, the front line will be much better than what we saw in those two embarrassing games versus the L.A.Lakers.

This is before mentioning the promising rookie tandem in J.J. Hickson who was sought after at the trade deadline and Darnell Jackson who is a man's man and knows how to play under postseason pressure after winning a NCCA Championship with Kansas.

In the back court the bench has Sasha Pavlovic, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak. They all have three-point range.

Anyone who truly watched that Detroit series in 2007 knows what Gibson can do when he gets hot. He is just now finding his stroke after dealing with nagging injuries all year that have negatively affected his shot.

If any of those four get hot, they can bring a huge lift off the bench. But they have the luxury of not needing all of them to get hot because coach Mike Brown's rotation only needs to be nine deep or so.

Mike Brown has been pushing a defensive emphasis since he arrived in Cleveland. He preached that the offense will come from good defense.

The idea is finally sinking in.

This team ranks amongst the top of the league in defense and has become known for their suffocating defense, especially in the fourth quarter of games recently to clinch victories.

So the Cavs have all pieces of the formula.

They have the superstar.

They have the second man.

They have a defensive mindset, thanks to coach Brown.

They have role players who know their role and fulfill it well.

They are much, much more than LeBron James now.