Top Five Cavs Seasons Of The Gund/Q Era

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view as fans cheer prior to game three of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

#4: 1995/96 Cleveland Cavaliers

The first year in Cleveland without Mark Price got off to a shocking start. The Cavs began the 95/96 season losing their first seven games and the best times of Cavalier basketball seemed to be gone.

After a 114-82 victory in Philadelphia though, the Cavs first of the season, things slowly but surely started to turn around. The Cavaliers would go on to win 18 of their next 24 games and remarkable make the playoffs, where the New York Knicks would sweep them out of the first round.

One of the most exciting aspects of this installment of Cavalier basketball was a young stud named Terrell Brandon. After backing up Price in the season’s prior, Brandon took full advantage of his big break, making the All-Star team, the first of his career. For the season, Brandon would go on to average 19.3 points, 6.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, showing off his full array of talents to the Cavs and the NBA alike.

Under Mike Fratello, the Cavaliers were an absolute defensive juggernaut in the 95/96 season, as they finished first in the league in opponents points per game, as they allowed only 88.5 points per game. A reaction to the Cavaliers stingy defense though was the teams slow; grind it out mentality on the offensive end that season. Despite the outburst from Brandon on the offensive end, the Cavs would finish second last in points per game that season, scoring 91.1 a game, to go along with their snail-like pace, as they would rank last in the league with a pace of 82.3.

The Cavaliers first season without Price started off a disaster but thanks to some stingy defense and the breakout of Brandon, the 95/95 Cavs didn’t turn out so bad.

Next: 09-10 Team Slides in at #3