Cleveland Cavaliers: Looking back at the historic 1986 NBA Draft

Looking back at the historic 1986 NBA Draft: The Lake Effect

The talent was there and now the Cavaliers needed a veteran coach who had had success elsewhere. Cavs General Manager Embry was friends with Lenny Wilkens, the current GM of the Seattle Supersonics, who had previously coached the Super Sonics to a NBA championship in 1979. Embry was able to convince Wilkens to return to coaching with the Cavs, and so began a seven year run with Cleveland where he finished with a 316-258 coaching record.

The first season of 1986-87 was still tough as the Cavs tried to gel and finished at 31-51. The following season though they finished above the .500 mark at 42-40 and made the playoffs where they lost a close series (3-2 )to the Chicago Bulls and their nemesis Michael Jordan. By the 1988-89 season the Cavs were geared for a great season. They finished that season at 57-25 and entered the playoffs as favorites against the Bulls. Things didn’t pan out for the Cavs again as Michael Jordan hit “The Shot” over a defending Craig Ehlo to help the Bulls escape that series.

The next several Cavaliers seasons finished with playoff appearances but not many playoff series wins and usually a loss to the Bulls at some point. The Bulls eliminated the Cavs in the playoffs in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Now young Cavs fans you might understand a bit more why the Bulls and specifically Jordan strike a chord of disdain with older Cavs fans.

Nonetheless, it was a run of success, reaching the playoffs so many times and even the Eastern Conference Championship in 1992. And it all started because of that spectacular 1986 draft and drafting a big man like Daugherty and a point guard like Price and taking a chance on a veteran coach like Wilkens.

I certainly hope that this current Cavs front office reviews their history books occasionally. Knowledge of the past is priceless when planning for the future.