So I got this idea last week after rewatching some old NBA games from the early 2000s. Thought hey, what about that 2001 Cavs team right before LeBron came? Everyone forgets those teams now. Started digging around my NBA encyclopedias and basketball reference sites.
Where I Began
First thing I did was list every player on that roster in my notebook. Old school style – pen and paper. Remembered Andre Miller was point guard, but couldn’t recall who played center. Had to look it up – turns out Chris Mihm started 50 games that season which shocked me. Thought he came later.
Breaking Down Positions
Made three columns for guards, forwards and centers:
- Guards: Andre Miller, Wesley Person, Bimbo Coles? Seriously that’s a real name
- Forwards: Lamond Murray, Jumaine Jones, Tyrone Hill
- Bigs: Chris Mihm, Robert “Tractor” Traylor
Noticed right away this team had exactly one decent playmaker – Andre Miller. Everybody else was just… there. Wesley Person could shoot threes but couldn’t dribble to save his life.
Checking Stats
Pulled out the laptop and ran through basic stats per player. Andre Miller averaged 16 points and 8 assists – solid but not all-star level. Second leading scorer? Lamond Murray at 12 points! No wonder they went 30-52 that year.
Here’s what hurt my brain: they had four guys over 6’10” but got absolutely destroyed on rebounds every night. Their rebounding stats were comedy gold – like watching toddlers try to grab balloons.
Comparing To Other Teams
Got curious about how this roster matched against others. Pulled up Philly’s lineup that year – AI, Mutombo, McKie – and just laughed. Night and day difference. Even teams like Charlotte had way more talent.
Started a spreadsheet comparing scoring averages across different positions:
- Cavs starting guards: 28ppg total
- Sixers starting guards: 45ppg
- Cavs frontcourt rebound rate: league bottom 3
Final Thoughts
Took me two days to realize why nobody talks about this team – it’s forgettable as heck. No star power, no identity, no toughness. That roster was like cafeteria mystery meat – you recognize some ingredients but wish you didn’t taste it.
Most surprising thing? They actually beat the Lakers once that season! Proof even trash teams win sometimes when Kobe and Shaq take nights off. Closed my laptop feeling bad for Andre Miller – dude wasted his peak carrying this dumpster fire.