Cleveland Cavaliers: 25 Greatest Contributors to the Franchise in Team History
You won’t find Andre Miller, Mo Williams, Shaquille O’Neal or a particular Cavalier with a retired jersey on this list, but you will find the 25 greatest contributors to the franchise in team history. So how are these contributions calculated? In order to compare players, owners, coaches and media personalities, a new statistic must be created: the “Whammer Score.”
What’s a Whammer Score? It’s named after the former Cavalier polar bear mascot, who needs to be associated with something positive after being the mascot for the Cavs during the late '90s. The score is on an 100-point scale, with 25 points attributed to number of contributing years, 50 points associated with play on the court and 25 points for off-the-court contributions. Next to the composite Whammer Score, you’ll see three numbers for these respective contributions.
So let the debate begin…
25. Dan Gilbert
1 of 25Whammer Score: 32 (9-0-23)
Six seasons as owner of the Cavs
Dan Gilbert’s open letter to Cleveland was criticized by national media outlets, but was exactly how Cavs fans felt at that moment. Gilbert has taken every step imaginable to create a winning franchise, from a state-of-the-art training facility in Independence, to giving general managers all available resources to build a contender. Dan Gilbert’s continued support of the Cavs, even through tough times and possible financial losses, gives fans hope that the team will return to prominence under their caring owner’s eye.
24. Tyrone Hill
2 of 25Whammer Score: 33 (12-18-3)
Five seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in 5 statistical categories
Growing up in Cincinnati and going to school at Xavier, Tyrone Hill strengthened his connection with Ohio when the Cavs traded the Golden State Warriors a first-round draft pick for the promising power forward. Hill went on to average a double-double in 1994-95 and 1996-97, helping him land a position in the Cavs Top 10 for career offensive, defensive and total rebounds.
23. Bill Fitch
3 of 25Whammer Score: 38 (18-0-20)
Nine seasons with the Cavs
The Cavaliers first coach in franchise history is also one of the 10 greatest coaches in NBA History. Bill Fitch’s most memorable season with the Cavs was the 1975-76 “Miracle in Richfield,” which saw Austin Carr, Campy Russell, Bingo Smith and Jim Chones nearly miss the NBA Finals by losing to the Boston Celtics in the sixth game of the Eastern Conference Final. Fitch was named Coach of the Year for his efforts in turning around a team that missed the playoffs the previous year.
22. Michael Reghi
4 of 25Whammer Score: 40 (20-0-20)
12 seasons as the Cavs Play-by-Play Voice
One of the few mistakes made by Dan Gilbert would have to be replacing Michael Reghi on play-by-play with Fred McLeod. Reghi was given a glimpse of being associated with a winner as the voice of the LeBron-led Cavs, having to endure many years of frustrating losing and meaningless games in the past. Reghi has stayed close to Cleveland after being let go, co-hosting Reghi and Rhoda on ESPN 850 WKNR.
21. Gordon Gund
5 of 25Whammer Score: 46 (21-0-25)
23 seasons with the Cavs
Gordon Gund’s purchase of the Cavaliers for $20 million in 1983 saved Cleveland’s franchise from a proposed move to Toronto and previous discussions to create the Ohio Cavaliers, a team that would play in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Toronto. Gund built Quicken Loans Arena, then known as Gund Arena. Gund lost his sight from retinitis pigmentosa in 1970, but inspired and supported the blind community by continuing his career as a businessman, philanthropist and sculptor. Gund was the owner of the Cavaliers from 1983 to 2005, when the team was sold to Dan Gilbert.
20. Wayne Embry
6 of 25Whammer Score: 40 (18-0-22)
13 seasons with the Cavs
The first African-American NBA general manager played a large role in the team’s turnaround in 1986 and continued prominence through the '90s. Embry was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 1992 and 1998. Embry was born in Springfield, Ohio, graduating from Miami University before going to to play 11 seasons in the NBA.
19. World B. Free
7 of 25Whammer Score: 45 (10-25-10)
Four seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in four statistical categories
The player formerly known as Lloyd Bernard Free played for five different teams during his journey through the NBA, but no stay lasted longer than that in Cleveland. World B. Free, who changed his name in 1981, was a constant scoring threat by averaging 23 points a game. “All-World” was also known for his dunking ability, possessing a 44-inch vertical jump that earned him the nickname of “Prince of Mid-air.”
18. Jim Brewer
8 of 25Whammer Score: 47 (13-29-5)
Six seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in Five statistical categories
The defensive specialist, Jim Brewer, played for the Cavs from 1973 to 1979, after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 1973 NBA draft. Brewer appears in the Cavs’ record books as 10th in steals, seventh in rebounds and eighth in blocks. When Brewer scored on the offensive end of the court, the PA Announcer would say, “Two for the Brew!”
17. Terrell Brandon
9 of 25Whammer Score: 48 (13-30-5)
Six seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in Five statistical categories
Terrell Brandon is part of the Cavaliers’ rich history of point guards, sandwiched in between the careers of Mark Price and Andre Miller. Not only was Brandon a two-time NBA All-Star during seasons where he averaged 19 a game, but he was also was rewarded with the NBA Sportsmanship Award and declared the “best point guard in the NBA” by Sports Illustrated in 1997.
16. Lenny Wilkens
10 of 25Whammer Score: 49 (16-15-18)
Nine seasons with the Cavs (two as a player, seven as a coach)
Top 10 in three statistical categories
Honored as one of the Top 10 coaches in NBA history, Lenny Wilkens led the Cavs during the mid-80s to their longest stretch of success at that point in the franchise's history, visiting the playoffs five times, while nearly missing the NBA Finals in 1991-92, following the team’s 57-win regular-season performance. Wilkins briefly played for the Cavs during two seasons, making a lasting mark on the Cavs record books by averaging 18.5 points and 7.7 assists in 36.6 minutes per game.
15. Joe Tait
11 of 25Whammer Score: 50 (25-0-25)
38 seasons with the Cavs
Not only has Joe Tait been the long-time radio voice of the Cavaliers, he’s also spent seven seasons with the Indians as radio announcer, eight years as the Cavs TV announcer and was even the voice of the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers. Tait was awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award, which has previously been presented to Doug Collins, Bill Raftery, Jim Nance, Bob Costas, Dick Vitale and Dick Enberg. Tait is known by fans for his love of DiGiorno’s Pizza and his trademark “wham with the right hand.”
14. Phil Hubbard
12 of 25Whammer Score: 51 (16-28-7)
Eight seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in four statistical categories
The Canton McKinley grad amassed the 10th most games in Cavaliers history. Hubbard’s best season was 1984-85, averaging 15.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Perhaps Hubbard could stop by Canton’s D-League franchise to help create a connection with the history of basketball in Stark County. Hubbard went through the difficult transition playing for 20- to 30-win teams to finally playing for the Cavs after they acquired Price, Daugherty, Nance, Ehlo and Harper. World B. Free might be the more recognizable name, but it was Hubbard who stayed with the Cavs through the difficult mid-80s transition.
13. Craig Ehlo
13 of 25Whammer Score: 52 (15-31-6)
Seven seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in seven statistical categories
Craig Ehlo is known for falling over himself as Michael Jordan sent the Bulls to the NBA Finals, but Mr. Everything was an excellent defender, three-point shooter and passer.
12. Anderson Varejao
14 of 25Whammer Score: 53 (15-30-8)
Seven seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in five statistical categories
Wild Thing’s defensive play and hustle have made Varejao a fan favorite. His contribution to Cavs has grown through the years from a spark off the bench to the starting lineup. The increased minutes have resulted in Varejao’s name appearing in the Cavs record books, with those numbers continuing to grow.
11. Bingo Smith
15 of 25Whammer Score: 55 (18-32-5)
Nine seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in seven statistical categories
Bingo Smith made an impression on the Cavaliers’ record books through the '70s, leading the team in career games and minutes while only being topped by teammate Austin Carr in points. Smith’s No. 7 jersey was one of six jerseys retired by the Cavs.
10. Campy Russell
16 of 25Whammer Score: 59 (21-23-15)
16 seasons with the Cavs (six as a player, 10 in community relations)
Top 10 in five statistical categories
Campy is heard by Cavs fans prior to and following games with Jeff Phelps on FoxSports Ohio, but he also was a one-time All-Star small forward during his playing days. Campy holds the position of Director of Alumni Relations, along with supporting community events like the Black Heritage Celebration and the Greater Cleveland Praisefest.
9. Danny Ferry
17 of 25Whammer Score: 58 (21-19-18)
15 seasons with the Cavs (10 as player, five as General Manager)
Top 10 in five statistical categories
Unmet expectations might be the first thing to come to mind when you say Danny Ferry, after trading away Ron Harper and signing Ferry to a 10-year contract didn’t quite pan out for the Cavs. Ferry’s dedication to the Cavs lasted longer than his second best in franchise 723 games. Ferry was the architect for the Cavs’ most serious playoff runs from 2005 to 2010, acquiring players like Antawn Jamison, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Parker and Mo Williams.
8. John Hot Rod Williams
18 of 25Whammer Score: 59 (16-38-5)
Nine seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in 13 statistical categories
Hot Rod could be the Cavs’ best sixth man of all-time, coming off the bench to relieve Brad Daugherty or Larry Nance during the multiple playoff runs the Cavs made in the early '90s. Hot Rod left the Cavs in 1995 as the all-time leader in block shots (passed by Z) and second in rebounds (now third).
7. Larry Nance
19 of 25Whammer Score: 60 (15-40-5)
Seven seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in 14 statistical categories
There must have been some great car talk going on in the Cavaliers locker room between Nance and Brad Daugherty. Cavs fans will remember Nance as a key contributor through the late '80s and early '90s. Nance, the Cavs’ seventh all-time leading scorer, was a member of the 1989 and 1993 All-Star teams with the Cavs and helped lead the Cavs to six playoff appearances.
6. Zydrunas Illgauskas
20 of 25Whammer Score: 63 (18-40-5)
12 seasons with the Cavs
Top 10 in 12 statistical categories
Big Z’s career got off to a rough start with multiple foot and ankle surgeries that caused him to miss all but five games in a two-year span. Miraculously, Zydrunas’ went on to play the most games in Cavaliers franchise history, along with the collecting the most rebounds and block shots. Although Z followed LeBron to Miami, he remains a fan favorite based on his preservation and dedication to the Cavaliers over 12 seasons.
5. LeBron James
21 of 25Whammer Score: 64 (15-48-1)
Seven years with the Cavs (seven as player)
Top 10 in 18 statistical categories
LeBron James is the greatest Cavalier on the court, his only downfall being that he didn’t bring a championship to Cleveland. Off the court, he deserves credit for his Akron Bike Fundraiser…
He’s also the most despised character in Cleveland sports history, supplanting Art Modell for many fans, since the Cavaliers were so close to bringing a championship to Cleveland.
4. Jim Chones
22 of 25Whammer Score: 67 (21-27-19)
17 years with the Cavs (five as a player, 12 as a color commentator)
Top 10 in eight statistical categories
Cavs fans have been re-introduced to Jim Chones during the 2010-11 season as a fill-in for Joe Tait on WTAM 1100. Chones was previously the color commentator for the Cavs from 1986 to 1997. Chones has teamed up with a number of different play-by-play men during that time, including Michael Reghi, Joe Tait, Jack Corrigan and even Greg Gumbel.
At 6’11”, Chones was an inside presence during his playing days, collecting the fifth most rebounds and blocked shots in Cavalier history. Chones anchored the lineup at center for the Cavs’ playoff runs during the seventies, making it as far as the Eastern Conference finals in 1975-76.
3. Brad Daugherty
23 of 25Whammer Score: 68 (18-40-10)
Nine years with the Cavs (eight as a player, one as a color commentator)
Top 10 in 17 statistical categories
One of the few players on this list to play their entire career with the Cavaliers, Daugherty was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1986 draft, the same draft that saw Ron Harper and Mark Price join the team. Although his career was cut short due to back problems, Daugherty was the Cavaliers’ all-time leading scorer at the time of his retirement. Currently, Daugherty holds second in rebounds (first for defensive), third in points and second in field goal percentage.
2. Mark Price
24 of 25Whammer Score: 73 (18-40-15)
11 years with the Cavs (nine as a player, two as a color commentator)
Top 10 in 15 statistical categories
The greatest free throw shooter of all-time was the face of the Cavaliers’ franchise through the early nineties, resulting in the retiring of his No. 25 jersey. Those Cavalier teams were consistent playoff contenders, but inconveniently played during the era of Air Jordan. Mark Price was an incredible scorer, able to slash through the paint for an easy two or hit a three from the outside.
Price was not only a great scorer, leading the Cavaliers in all-time assists. After Mark’s playing career came to a close, fans welcomed him to the commentating booth as a familiar face to offset the struggles the team was going through. Fans also welcomed his leaving the broadcast booth, but Price will always be remembered as one of the Cavs’ greats.
1. Austin Carr
25 of 25Whammer Score: 76 (23-33-20)
21 years with the Cavs (nine as a player, 12 as a color commentator)
Top 10 in eight statistical categories
Austin Carr has been given the nickname “Mr. Cavalier” for a reason. As one of six players to have his jersey retired, Austin Carr has found a way into the heart of Cavaliers fans by encouraging the opposition to “get that weak stuff outta here!” The No. 1 pick in the 1971 NBA draft went on to score 10,265 points, fourth all-time for the Cavs.
