Top Five Cavs Small Forwards Of The Gund/Q Era
Dec 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers mascot Moondog dunks the ball during a timeout during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
To commemorate twenty seasons of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball at Quicken Loans arena, King James Gospel is looking at the best in various categories during that span. Today we look at the top five small forwards for the Cleveland Cavaliers during The Gund/Q Arena era. Last year finished up the Cavs 20th season in their hallowed arena.
Not playing entirely at the small forward slot but a capable one at the position, swingman Derek Anderson kicks off our list by being one of the most talented Cavaliers during his short two-year career with the team.
Anderson showed the Cavaliers what he was capable of during his rookie season, averaging 11.7 points per game while showing flashes of brilliance
He was chosen by the Cavs with the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft as a potential franchise building block after a very good career with the Kentucky Wildcats despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Days after the Draft, Anderson was signed by none other than Michael Jordan to endorse his still-fledgling (at the time) Jordan Brand of basketball shoes.
Anderson showed the Cavaliers what he was capable of during his rookie season, averaging 11.7 points per game while showing flashes of brilliance like scoring 30 points versus the L.A. Lakers on April 3, 1998. He subsequently landed on the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team.
His injury woes, however, would continue to haunt him in the NBA as they did in college. In his second year with the Cavs, Anderson only played 38 games due to injuries though he still scored 10.8 points per game as the fourth leading scorer for the team.
During the 1999 offseason, Anderson would be traded along with Johnny Newman to the L.A. Clippers for another guy on our list, Lamond Murray.
Next: Gee What a Small Forward