Cleveland Cavaliers: The top 20 rookie debuts in team history

#5: Dajuan Wagner (Sixth overall), Nov. 26, 2002

Game Score: 13.1

One of 26 players to officially record 100 points in a single high school game since 1913, Wagner continued his offensive acumen for the University of Memphis as a freshman (21.2 points per game). His NBA career appeared to be headed in a similar direction, averaging 13.4 points per game as a rookie before health problems would cut the 6-foot-2 combo guard’s career short. On debut, Wagner displayed the scoring potential he was drafted for, posting 17 points (4-10 FG, 7-9 FT), 3 assists and 3 steals in 33 minutes.

#4: Brevin Knight (16th overall), Oct. 31, 1997

Game Score: 15.3

It’s not often a rookie leads the NBA in a statistical category but that’s exactly what career ball-hawk Brevin Knight did in 1998, recording a league-best 196 steals in 80 games. His 2.5 thefts per game (just behind leader Mookie Blaylock’s 2.6) and 8.2 assists per game earned Knight All-Rookie 1st Team honors. It would be the beginning of a career that spanned 729 NBA games on nine different teams for the Stanford standout.

Now a color commentator for the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6-foot guard shined on debut, posting 18 points (5-9 FG, 8-10 FT) and 3 steals off the bench in 24 minutes.

#3: John ‘Hot Rod’ Williams (Second round, 45th overall), Nov. 1, 1986

Game Score: 20.2

Due to standing trial for alleged point shaving in 1985, John ‘Hot Rod’ Williams’ NBA career would start a year after being selected 45th overall by the Cavaliers. While awaiting the verdict (he was acquitted of all charges), Williams would play in the USBL, eventually joining fellow rookies Ron Harper and Brad Daugherty on the NBA’s 1987 All-Rookie team. This would mark the beginning of nine seasons in Cleveland with his name littered among Cavalier All-time leaders including blocks (2nd), minutes (3rd), rebounds (5th) and points (7th).

On debut, Hot Rod proved he was more than worth the wait, posting 22 points (8-11 FG, 6-7 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block in 39 minutes of action.

Williams was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. He passed away in December 2015, aged just 53.

#2: Ron Anderson (Second round, 27th overall), Oct. 26, 1986

Game Score: 22

Drafted by the Cavaliers at the advanced age of 26, Ron Anderson’s career would take a while to get going, and despite playing in leagues all around the world, he still managed to log 664 games over 10 seasons in the NBA.

The 6-foot-7 small forward, who played college ball for both Santa Barbara CC and Fresno State, came out swinging on debut. In 40 minutes of action, he posted 27 points (10-14 FG, 7-9 FT), 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a 10-point loss to Philadelphia.

#1: LeBron James (First overall), Oct. 29, 2003

Game Score: 24.7

Facing unprecedented hype and pressure on debut, the “Chosen One” – right from the chalk-clap and tip off – provided a glimpse into the future of the NBA post-Michael Jordan.

Just a minute-and-a-half into the game, James flashed the vision and versatility which was already captivating the basketball world; rebounding and pushing in transition to set up Ricky Davis for an alley-oop dunk. The main highlight though? Three consecutive steals in the first quarter which led to three dunks, including his own iconic breakaway debut slam.

After it was all over, James had posted 25 points (12-20 FG), 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in a loss to the powerhouse Kings. It would be the beginning of a Rookie of the Year campaign featuring averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists. That would be the beginning of – currently – 4 NBA championships, 4 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, 24 All-NBA selections, 17 All-Star games and 2 Olympic Gold Metals.

As of his before his game on Tuesday, the King entered his 19th season just 1561 points behind Karl Malone for second place all-time in NBA history. Even at age 37 in a couple of months, LeBron James continues to remind us that the hype was real.