Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players
By Ben Beecken
156. <ul> <li>8 seasons with Cavaliers (1986-94)</li> <li>Averaged 19 points and 9.5 rebounds per game</li> <li>5x All-Star with Cavs</li> </ul>. C. . Brad Daugherty. 2. player
If not for recurring back problems that necessitated an early retirement, Brad Daugherty would have had a real shot at reaching the Hall of Fame.
In just eight seasons in Cleveland, Daugherty was named to five All-Star teams while putting up 9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, including averaging a double-double in each of his last four seasons, three of which were 20-plus point, 10-plus rebound campaigns.
Along with Hot Rod Williams and Ron Harper, Daugherty was named to the 1986-87 NBA All-Rookie team after starting all 80 games in which he played. After his rookie year, Daugherty was an NBA All-Star in every season except 1989-90, when he only appeared in 41 games, and his final season, when he played in just 50 contests.
Daugherty was ultra-efficient, shooting better than 50 percent from the field in every single one of his All-Star campaigns, plus his rookie season. As a career 74.7 percent free throw shooter, Daugherty led the league in true shooting percentage in 1992-93 with a mark of 63.5.
The career-long Cav was equally effective in the playoffs, averaging 19.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and one block per game over 41 career contests.
His last game played was in 1994, at the age of 28. Daugherty didn’t officially retire until two years later, but never again donned an NBA uniform.