Konichiwa, Cavaliers fans. Don't worry, it's just me, the Optimist, checking in from cloudy Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
This is the final installment in my Four-Part Season-Ending Trilogy. We've already looked back on the season that was: the halcyon days of the first half, the creamy middle and the fateful finale. And now, it's time for the Season-Ending Awards Banquet. This is the time where everyone can kick back and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Who doesn't love an awards banquet? My high school football team won exactly "0" games when I was a senior. And yet, based on the awards ceremony, you would have thought we were '72 Dolphins. So, let's forget about the up-and-down 2004-05 season and hand out some accolades.
Of course, the Awards Banquet is strictly a black-tie event; this means no gang colors.
2004-05 All-Optimist First Team
Once again, this season's All-Optimist First Team is loaded with an inordinate amount of Cavaliers, but after crunching the numbers using both math and science, I couldn't come up with any other conclusions. When you put together a season like 2004-05, you're bound to pile up the post-season hardware.
2004-05 All-Optimist Second Team
The All-Optimist Second Team features some of the most dangerous non-Cavaliers from around the league. Don't hold it against them, they're still nice ballplayers. Apologies for any omissions, including Desmond Mason, the AK-47, Antonio McDyess, Joe Johnson, Zarko Cabarkaba, Zaza Pachulia, Jamsion Brewer and of course, Ansu Sesay.
2004-05 Optimist All-Nemesis Team
The 2004-05 All-Nemesis Team features some of the most lethal and frightening Cavalier opponents ever to grace the halls of the Gund. Noticeable omissions are Kurt Thomas, Mateen Cleaves and Rick Davis.
The Edgar Jones 7th Man Award
The inagural Edgar Jones 7th Man Award goes to the player who isn't the first player off the bench but still contributes mightily both on the floor and in the hearts of the Gund Arena faithful.