Cleveland Cavaliers: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 66-16, First in Central Division, First in Eastern Conference

Postseason

First Round: Beat Detroit Pistons 4-0

Semifinals: Beat Atlanta Hawks 4-0

Conference Finals: Lost to Orlando Magic 4-2

Key Additions

Shaquille O'Neal via trade, Danny Green via draft, Anthony Parker via free agency, Jamario Moon via free agency,

Key Losses

Ben Wallace via trade, Sasha Pavlovic via trade

Over the span of the 2008-'09 season, there was no team in the Eastern Conference as dominant as the Cleveland Cavaliers. They won 66 games, with 39 of those coming at home, and were perfect through their first two postseason series.

They were the favorite in the conference finals against the Orlando Magic after the performances they put on all season.

It seemed to end all too soon.

The Cavs lost in six games, and if not for one of the greatest buzzer beaters in recent NBA history, it would have been a clean sweep. The Cavaliers issues on mismatches finally arose when they faced a more athletic, over sized team and it came drastically on one position.

The center spot, where Magic center Dwight Howard dominated Zydrunas Ilgauskas all postseason. Howard was near four inches shorter, but his athleticism and post-play was key to the Magic's win and the Cavs early postseason exit.

The organization made sure to solve that problem very quickly. Soon enough, Shaquille O'Neal was brought in for one reason and one reason only. Stop Dwight Howard.

Shaq is nowhere near the dominant force he used to be, but his ability to draw double teams in the post will help LeBron James get more room to work on the floor. This past season in Phoenix, O'Neal averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game and only missed seven games.

His health problems have been detrimental to his play and before last year, the last time he played in more than 70 games was in the 2004-05 season.

The question is though, can Shaq do the same for LeBron that he did for Dwyane Wade. LeBron is coming off of his first MVP season when he averaged 28 points, nearly eight rebounds and seven assists per game and led his team to the best record in the NBA.

It was not enough though as his teammates could not support him in the conference finals and he was forced to carry the load.

LeBron's supporting cast were huge throughout the season and playoffs, mostly by point guard Mo Williams. Williams 17 points and four assists per game were a dream come true for LeBron who was asking for a supporting cast to help him win his first NBA championship. If you recall when LeBron did make it to his first NBA finals, his supporting cast was not nearly good enough to win a championship.

This 2009-'10 season will be LeBron's best chance to win the ring that has eluded him since his introduction into the league. The reigning MVP now has the most dominant player in NBA history, a solid starting core and a very suitable bench.

Speaking of the bench, the Cavs bolstered it with a number of signings. Former Toronto Raptors forward Anthony Parker joined the team as LeBron's backup and a possible starter at the shooting guard spot ahead of Delonte West. Parker averaged 11 points and four rebounds last year as a starter for the Raptors.

High flyer Jamario Moon also joined the team as a backup forward after stealing him from the Miami Heat. Moon is known more for his athleticism than anything else, as he usually makes a highlight reel on a daily basis.

His offense is erratic at times and his shooting can be inconsistent, but he is a great player to have come off the bench and will only add to the athleticism this Cavs team is full of.

The Cavaliers can also thank the confines of the Quicken Loans Arena for it's success. The team nearly set a record last year for the best home record by going 39-2.

The first loss, a tightly contested matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers and the second, a game that LeBron James sat out for to rest for the playoffs. Supported by some of the greatest fans in the NBA, Cleveland definitely has something to cheer for as it's team is ready for another title run.

Cleveland realized it's weaknesses after last season and whenever it saw a loose end, it made sure to improve on it and make it one of it's strongest points this past offseason. With the core of Mo Williams, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal running the floor, the reigning MVP just might add another addition to the trophy case next June.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Mo Williams

SG-Delonte West

SF-LeBron James

PF-Anderson Varejao

C-Shaquille O'Neal

This is part five of a 30-day series of 2009-'10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.