Shalom, y'uns. Over the course of an 82-game season, it's become obvious to me that you people are Cavalier fans. I am known in certain circles as “The Optimist.” Let’s get it on, shall we?
Welcome, one and all, to my 2005-06 (Regular) Season Ending Awards Banquet. In the past two seasons, the Cavaliers year actually did end when all 82 games were up – most likely through the antics of those mangy dogs that the sporting world calls the Boston Celtics.
But this year, it’s different. Not only are the Wine and Gold advancing to the next plateau – the NBA Playoffs. But also because we’re going to go with a Season Ending Awards LUNCHEON. Low key. Intimate. Exclusive. Just you little dummkopfs and me in the Quicken Loans Arena lunchroom. There's Pepsi™ and Diet Pepsi™ in the machine and I strongly recommend the Twix™ bars -- they're so good you could plotz.
It’s not black tie this year, but as always, I’ll have to insist on no gang colors. I’m sorry.
The balloting was tight this year, my friends. I’ll be the first to admit it. Do you think I like leaving two-time All-Optimist Second Teamer, the Earl of Boykins, off the squad? Of course I don’t! He’s a former Cavalier from Cleveland Central Catholic! I didn’t want to do it. I felt I owed it to him.
So bear that in mind when you consider who did and didn’t grab the honors. Let’s pass out some hardware, y’uns!
2005-06 All-Optimist First Team
It seems to happen every year, but again, this season's All-Optimist First Team is loaded with an uncanny amount of Cleveland Cavaliers. The only real surprise was that reigning two-time First Team forward, Ira Newble, was left off this year’s squad. He’ll likely be furious.
2005-06 All-Optimist Second Team
Players don’t like to admit it, but privately they pine to be named to the All-Optimist Second Team. They realize that due to the Cavaliers’ overall strength – 1 through 5 – that this is the pinnacle of success. Notable omissions from this year’s squad include the Earl of Boykins, Manu Ginobili, Desmond Mason, Ron Artest, Didier Illunga-Mbenga, Zarko Cabarkaba, Zaza Pachulia, Boniface Ndong and of course, Ansu Sesay.
2005-06 Optimist All-Nemesis Team
The 2005-06 All-Nemesis Team features some old faces, including all-time Cavalier-killers like Jalen Rose and Paul Pierce. I have nothing personal against these players; they just make life miserable for the Wine and Gold. Notable omissions from this year’s squad include Mateen Cleaves, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker, The King and, of course, Rick Davis.
The 2005-06 Edgar Jones 7th Man Award
For the third straight year, the Edgar Jones 7th Man Award was one of the tougher decisions to make. This award goes to the player off the bench that fires up the Quicken Loans crowd and simultaneously contributes to the Cavaliers’ cause. Notable omissions include Damon Jones, Splasha Pavlovic, Alan Henderson, Stephen Graham, Ira Newble, Luke Jackson and, of course the most difficult omission – Little Martynas Andriuskevicius.