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No! – Not the damn Yankees movie about Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

Sixty-one is exactly how many days until the Cavaliers officially tip off the 2021-22 NBA season – traveling to take on the Grizzlies at the GrindHouse on October 20 (forcing Bally’s Sports senior producer, Brent Valenti to plan and execute an earlier-than-usual supply run to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for the team travel party).

Two nights later, on a Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – October 22 – the Wine &amp; Gold welcome LaMelo Ball and the Hornets to town, opening the home schedule with a back-to-back against Charlotte and then the Hawks, followed by a very unusual early season trek out West – taking on the league’s reigning MVP, then Kawhi and the Clippers, then LeBron and the Lakers, then CP3 and the Western Conference Champs before wrapping up the trip back to the East Coast against Charlotte.

The Cavs will play at home on New Year’s Eve for the first time since 2014 (welcoming Trey Young and the Hawks) and host the Brooklyn Nets for an MLK Day matinee (January 17). And, of course, Cleveland and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will host All-Star Weekend, with the 71st midseason classic taking place on February 20.

The Cavaliers close the campaign against the World Champs, welcoming Giannis and the Bucks to town on Sunday, April 20.

But we’re a long, long way from there. So, while we wait with bated breath for Evan Mobley, Ice Okoro, SexLand and the gang to finally hit the hardwood, Cavs.com figured we’d let you sort through some numbers to keep you busy in the meantime …

… games making up the longest homestand of the season – welcoming some true heavyweights to town for what should be a wild week in mid-March.

The quintet begins with a visit from Tyron Lue’s Clippers on March 14, followed by matchups against Joel Embiid and the Sixers, a back-to-back versus Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets followed by Cade Cunningham and the Pistons before wrapping up the homestand against LeBron, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and the Lakers on March 21.

… games in the longest road trip of the season – spanning nine days in the Wine &amp; Gold’s second West Coast of the season, more in its normal place in the calendar – the second week of the New Year.

The Cavs tip off the extended junket with a Friday night matchup (Jan. 7) in Portland, followed by a Sunday matinee in Golden State, a visit with Tristan Thompson and the Kings the following night in Sacramento and a trip to Salt Lake City two nights later before wrapping up the roadie with a back-to-back against the Spurs and Thunder.

… games that the Cavaliers will play “fresh” AND games that they’ll play “tired” this season.

These are relative terms determined by the NBA. Once the season starts, there’s really no rest. But the actual definitions of these games are that a team is “fresh” if it didn’t play the day before and its opponent did and “tired” if it played the night before and its opponent did not.

The Cavaliers will play 62 games “even” – meaning your squad played and its opponent both played or both did not play the day before.

… sets of back-to-backs the Cavs will play this year – 2.4 more than the league average, 2.3 more than the Conference average.

The Wine &amp; Gold will play six road-road sets, five road-home sets, three home-home sets and just a single home-road back-to-back.

… home weekend games that the Cavaliers will play this year – including four on Friday, eight on Saturday and seven on Sunday.

Cleveland will host 10 games on Monday – including the MLK Day matchup against the Brooklyn Nets – and 10 more on Wednesday, with one game apiece on Tuesday and Thursday night.

The Cavaliers will probably need to reach the postseason to crack the ESPN/ABC and TNT lineups – something they’re not slated for this season. But the Wine &amp; Gold will be featured on four NBATV games this year – all at home – including November meetings against the Celtics (11/13) and Nets (11/22) and a pair of January matchups, welcoming the Pacers (1/2) and Thunder (1/22).

… miles that the Cavaliers will travel this year – 5,000 less than the conference average and 12,000 fewer than the Conference leader, which is perennially Miami or Boston.

After Cleveland wraps up its early-January West Coast trip on the 15th, the team travels West of the Mississippi just once – a February 2 matchup with Jalen Green and the Rockets – for the rest of the entire regular season.

… percentage of games Cleveland will play at Rocket Mortgage Field through the first 10 games and the last 10 games of the season, respectively.

If the young Cavaliers hope to get off to a strong start, it’ll take some work. Eight of the nine teams they’ll face were in the Playoffs last year and the ninth, Charlotte, was in the Play-In Tournament. The four Western Conference foes that Cleveland will face to start the five-game roadie had a combined winning percentage of .649 last year.

If J.B. Bickerstaff's squad is going to make a run at the postseason for the first time since 2017-18, a strong home finish will be key. Cleveland will play six of its final 10 regular season games – and 10 of the last 14 – at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

let-the-games-begin

Let the Games Begin

Next year at around this time, the Wine &amp; Gold hope to be still on the hardwood, tangling in the NBA’s postseason tournament instead of gearing up for the Lottery. Until that time, the Cavaliers will await the results of June 22’s drawing – and prepare to reload with the results.

Before we officially turn the page on the 2020-21 campaign, however, let’s pause to praise some of the best individual showings from the previous season.

Career-highs were set, big victories were secured, and, in the case of a couple guys, they didn’t even miss a shot.

So here’s a look back at a randomly-ordered Cava-List featuring some of the best efforts from last year …

Despite lugging the toughest defensive assignment on a nightly basis, Isaac Okoro actually improved on the offensive end as the year progressed – bursting through the rookie wall to finish strong.

There was no better display of the rugged rookie’s offensive evolution than his career night against the Suns in early May.

In a game that featured 15 ties and 10 lead-changes and with Phoenix trying to pull away late, Okoro scored Cleveland’s final five points of regulation, tying the game at 114-apiece before the Cavs went ice-cold in the extra-session.

On the night, the 20-year-old Atlanta native – who’d posted his career-high of 20 points the previous week in Toronto – eclipsed that mark by the end of the third quarter against the Suns, leading both teams with 32 points, going 10-for-16 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from deep and a perfect 9-of-9 from the stripe, adding six assists, three boards and a steal.

In the next game following the Wine &amp; Gold jumping headlong into a four-team trade that landed them 22-year-old center Jarrett Allen and versatile swingman Taurean Prince, so much of the attention in their January 20 meeting with the new-look Nets focused on Brooklyn’s newly-minted Big Three.

But it was Collin Sexton who stole the show.

Returning from a five-game absence with an ankle injury, the Young Bull saved his best for last – scoring 15 of a career-best 42 points in the second OT of a 147-135 double-overtime thriller at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, drilling five triples overall after regulation.

The third-year man from Bama splashed home his first bomb of the night with 1.2 seconds remaining in the first overtime to tie the game at 127-apiece. In the second OT, the third-year guard from Alabama was utterly unstoppable, going 5-of-6 from the floor and scoring 15 of Cleveland’s 20 points in the period.

Kevin Love would be the first to admit it was a frustrating 2020-21 campaign in Cleveland. But at least he can say he looked like his old self in the final home game.

Battling nagging injuries all season long, the five-time All-Star saved his best work for last – helping the Cavaliers snap a season-long 11-game slide with a win over Boston in the home finale with easily his best performance of the year.

The Celtics battled back to take a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Love drilled two straight triples to key an 11-0 run as Cleveland dropped Boston for the second time since the All-Star Break.

On the night, Love finished with with 30 points and 14 boards – both season-highs – going 10-of-16 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from long-range, adding three assists and a pair of steals.

Over the years, foes have dreaded the idea of facing off against the San Antonio defense, but in two games against them this season, Darius Garland had a pair of field days.

Just more than a fortnight after setting his career-high against the Spurs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the sophomore from Vandy took his show on the road – leading both teams 37 points in 30 minutes, going 14-for-22 from the floor, including 5-of-10 from deep and 4-of-4 from the stripe.

In the 125-101 win, Cleveland’s biggest road victory since a 28-point blowout of the Pistons in 2017, Garland also paced both teams with seven assists, adding a pair of steals and a block in the win.

In two games against San Antonio this season, the 21-year-old averaged 33.0 points per, shooting .579 from the floor (22-of-38), .500 from long-range (7-for-14) and from the stripe 1.000 (15-of-15). He also combined for 15 assists, leading both teams in both games.

There’s always the case of a player having a great game while his team lays a collective egg around him.

The Wine &amp; Gold would rather forget a 117-101 home loss to the Thunder. But Jarrett Allen had a night to remember, drilling all 11 shots he attempted from the floor to net a then-career-high 26 points while also leading both teams with 17 rebounds to notch his fourth straight double-double.

With his perfect night, Allen became just the third player in the last 30 years – joining Dikembe Mutombo and Dwight Howard – to finish with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 100 percent from the floor.

Paired with his previous game’s performance, a loss to the Nuggets, Allen shot .950 – 19-of-20 – from the floor over that two-game stretch.

The only Cavalier who might be more frustrated by the injury bug over the past two seasons than Kevin Love is Dylan Windler.

After being tabbed with the 26th overall pick in 2019, Windler was sidelined for his entire first season. A freak fall in this year’s season opener sidelined him early and knee surgery sidelined him late – limiting the former Belmont star to just 31 games as an official “rookie.”

But Windler did have a brief, brilliant two-game run this past year that had to feel good – and the Cavaliers came out on top in each.

After canning all five three-point attempts off the bench in a thrilling home victory over the Hawks – to snap a 10-game losing skid – finishing with 15 points, five boards, a steal and a block, Windler was just as hot the following night against Houston, connecting on all four bombs while adding four boards and a pair of assists.

The 24-year-old Indianapolis native came into that week shooting .304 from deep and he headed into the weekend at .418.

the-cava-list-top-peformers

The Cava-List: Top Peformers

With the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season schedule coming out late last week, get a quick look at all the teams the Wine &amp; Gold will face off with in the campaign's first 38 games.

The Hornets have reached the postseason just once since they became the Hornets again, but with a big draft – tabbing LaMelo Ball at No. 3 overall and Vernon Carey Jr. at the top of the second round – and another big free agent signing – luring Gordon Hayward from the Celtics – Charlotte is looking to make their move.

Last year, P.J. Washington was an All-Rookie Second Teamer, DeVonte Graham was one of the league’s most improved players and Youngstown native Terry Rozier showed that he could be the man.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 12/23

Blake Griffin was limited to just 18 games last season and the Pistons won just 20. Andre Drummond is now a Cavalier. Things are changing in Motown, and the Pistons come into the season feeling optimistic about their group of young guns.

Detroit snagged crafty international combo-guard Killian Hayes with the 7th overall pick and got rugged forward Saddiq Bey a dozen picks later. On the veteran end, Derrick Rose goes into his 12th season, coming off a campaign averaging 18.1ppg off the bench.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-2  |  2020-21 Home: 1/27 | 2020-21 Away: 12/26

The Sixers didn’t make a ton of roster changes in the offseason, but they really didn’t have to. Their problem hasn’t been talent; it’s been getting it to translate into postseason success. Enter Doc Rivers, looking for redemption after a frustrating end in L.A.

The Sixers tweaked things with the additions of Dwight Howard and Seth Curry, but essentially Doc will try to get Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons, one of the best two-way players in the game, to get Philly past the Second Round for the first time in 20 years.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-3  |  2020-21 Home: 2/27 | 2020-21 Away: 12/27

The Knicks would consider getting to the Second Round pretty sweet, last having reached the Playoffs in 2012-13, with J.R. Smith as their second-leading scorer. But after seismic changes in the front office – with Leon Rose taking over as team president – at head coach – bringing in Tom Thibodeau – and big Draft night, getting Brooklyn native Obi Toppin without having to trade up from No. 8.

New York will now try to build from a young core that already includes Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and last year’s top pick, R.J. Barrett. Mix in veterans Julius Randle and Austin Rivers and maybe this is the year the Knicks finally get back to the postseason.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-3  |  2020-21 Home: 12/29, 1/15 | 2020-21 Away: 1/29

Speaking of coaching changes, the Pacers made the Playoffs in each of the last five postseasons (but were swept out in three of them) and made a coaching change, replacing Nate McMillan with former Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren.

Victor Oladipo was limited to just 19 games last year and Domantas Sabonis didn’t play in the Bubble. That shortened Indiana’s postseason run, but it did allow T.J. Warren to emerge as the squad’s leading scorer.

The issue for Indiana now is getting it back all together healthy. Add Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon to the mix and the Pacers could re-emerge as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-2  |  2020-21 Home: 3/3 | 2020-21 Away: 1/21

The Hawks seem like a team ready to make their move.

Trae Young proved to be a piece to build around and John Collins has been a revelation in just his third year.  Last year’s class – DeAndre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Bruno Fernando – had solid but not spectacular rookie seasons. And last month, the Hawks beefed up in the middle, drafting shot-blocking big man Onyeka Okongwu.

But this offseason, the Hawks fortified that youth movement, bringing in Rajon Rondo, off his second NBA title, along with Tony Snell, Danilo Gallinari and emerging young vet, Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-0  |  2020-21 Home: 2/23 | 2020-21 Away: 1/2

Steve Clifford proved his coaching chops once again last season, taking Orlando back to the postseason and giving the Bucks a series once it got there. But aside from inking veteran scorer Eric Gordon, they were awfully quiet in the offseason and the gap between the Magic and their in-state, interdivisional rivals to the south is beginning to grow.

The Magic still boast one of the best big men tandems in the East in Nikola Vucevic and Eric Gordon and hope that Mo Bamba and Markelle Fultz begin to fulfill their draft promise. Evan Fournier remains one of the more underrated 2-guards in the Conference and is coming off a career year and Jonathan Isaac continues his gradual improvement.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-3  |  2020-21 Away: 1/4, 1/6

It’s not easy to crack the top of the Playoff picture out West, but the young Grizzlies are definitely knocking on the door. With back-to-back bumper crops in the past two Drafts, Memphis only needs to nurture their growth.

Last year, explosive point man Ja Morant won Rookie of the Year and his teammate Brandon Clarke earned All-Rookie First Team honors. Jaren Jackson Jr. has multiple All-Star appearance potential and Dillon Brooks – who fell the 45th overall pick in 2017 – emerged as the squad’s second-leading scorer.

Add savvy big man Jonas Valanciunas to the mix – along with the arrival of Justise Winslow – and the Grizz should continue to make noise at the Grindhouse.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/11

At this point, the Bucks are now in the ‘where-do-we-go-from-here’ stage of their saga. They have the league’s current MVP and Defensive Player of the Year – Giannis Antetokounmpo – and were easily the most dominant regular season squad over the past two years. But in each season, they’ve fallen short.

The Greek Freak led the Bucks to the Conference Finals two years ago, but Miami stunned them in the Second Round last season. The veteran-heavy Bucks didn’t make many significant offseason moves, other than inking Bryn Forbes and Torrey Craig as a free agents.

Otherwise, it’s much the same in Milwaukee – relying on veterans like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVicenzo and Kyle Korver.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-3  |  2020-21 Home: 2/5, 2/6 | 2020-21 Away: 1/9

Utah is another team out West that falls into the category of needing to take that next leap into the upper strata of the Conference – with Quin Snyder’s squad reaching the postseason in each of the past four seasons but not getting past the Second Round in any of them.

The Jazz still boast a pair of superstars – one on each end of the floor. Donovan Mitchell, who topped the 20.0ppg plateau again, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who earned First Team honors again last year.

If Mike Conley can stay healthy through the season and the newly re-signed Jordan Clarkson simply does his thing, the Jazz might finally make their move out West.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/12

The Wizards (and Rockets) definitely made the biggest splash of the offseason – swapping All-Star guards, John Wall – who hasn’t played a game since Christmas 2018 – for Russell Westbrook – coming off a seemingly rocky stint in Houston.

With Wall’s yearlong absence, Bradley Beal had a career year – averaging 30.5ppg in 2019-20. Now the Wizards will try to build around him and their young pieces, including All-Rookie Second Teamer Rui Hachimura and this year’s top pick – 19-year-old Deni Avidja, who they snagged with the 9th overall pick last month.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-1  |  2020-21 Away: 1/17, 1/18

If there’s a big ticket in the East this season, it’s in Brooklyn, where the superstar pairing of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will finally come to fruition. For a little extra spice, they’ll be coached by future Hall of Famer, Steve Nash.

The Nets were impressive without either star last year – getting solid performances from some of their bright young guns like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LaVert, Jarrett Allen and our old friend, Joe Harris, who inked a tasty contract this offseason.

Brooklyn also imported some solid veterans to shore up the squad, including Jeff Green and Landry Shamet.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/20, 1/22

Even if the Knicks don’t take a step up, the Atlantic Division looks to be a powerhouse in the Conference this year, with the Nets, Raptors, Sixers and this squad – the Celtics – all entering the season with Championship aspirations.

Boston reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons last year before finally falling to Miami. But they added to their young core this offseason, including signing longtime Cavalier Tristan Thompson as a free agent.

Add Tristan to a mix that already includes Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and All-Defensive First Teamer Marcus Smart – along with up-and-comers like Grant Williams, Robert Williams and potentially Aaron Nesmith – and you’re looking at a team that can win it all.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-4  |  2020-21 Away: 1/24

The rich got richer in Tinseltown, with the World Champs poaching the league’s top Sixth Man from their cross-town rivals – inking Montrezl Harrell and boosting an already-loaded squad.

As big as the arrival of Harrell is – joining LeBron and the newly re-signed Anthony Davis – it might not be the Lakers’ most significant. That very well could be Dennis Schroeder, who joins L.A. after a strong season in Oklahoma City. But the Champs didn’t stop there, adding rock-solid veterans Wesley Matthews and Marc Gasol.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-1  |  2020-21 Home: 1/25

Since reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first and only time in franchise history in 2003-04, the Timberwolves have made just one postseason appearance, dropping a ‘gentleman’s sweep’ to the Rockets in 2018. Do they finally have the weapons to get back there?

Karl-Anthony Towns is a two-time All-Star and D’Angelo Russell is coming off his first appearance, giving the T-Wolves a solid foundation. And they’re obviously hoping this year’s top overall pick, dynamic guard Anthony Edwards, will reach plenty of midseason classics of his own. Jarrett Culver, last year’s top pick, would like to build off a steady rookie season.

Record vs. Last Season: 1-1  |  2020-21 Home: 2/1 | 2020-21 Away: 1/31

After coming up short of expectations in the Bubble this fall, Tyronn Lue moves up into the head coaching spot, replacing Doc Rivers at the helm. But aside from the aforementioned Montrezl Harrell’s departure for the Lakers, but the Clips essentially stood pat.

Of course, Kawhi Leonard is one of the game’s greatest two-way players and Patrick Beverly, one of its best individual defenders. The Clippers picked up Luke Kennard in a three-team deal to fill the scoring void and Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka for veteran leadership, trying to make the franchise’s first trip to the Finals.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-2  |  2020-21 Home: 2/3 | 2020-21 Away: 2/14

Every year, there’s sexy team pick entering the upcoming season – and this year that team is the Suns, who made an incredible Bubble run to end last season and now feel they’re close enough to compete that they dealt for future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in the offseason.

The pairing of scoring machine Devin Booker and 2018’s top pick DeAndre Ayton proved to be an excellent tandem as the Suns found their identity late last year. Cameron Johnson is a solid long-range threat and Dario Saric has averaged double-figures in all four seasons in the league. And this fall Phoenix nabbed one of college hoops premier defenders in Jalen Smith.

Record vs. Last Season: 0-0  |  2020-21 Away: 2/8

Mike Malone’s deep young squad comes into this season after one of the most incredible postseason runs in recent memory – becoming the first team to overcome 3-1 deficits in back-to-back Playoff series, reaching the Conference Finals before falling to the eventual Champs.

The Nuggets didn’t tinker much in the offseason, and that’s because they didn’t have to. They’re already stacked with accomplished talent like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Will Barton. And that doesn’t even account for talented players who’re even younger – like Michael Porter Jr., Monte Morris and Bol Bol.

Record vs. Last Season: 2-0  |  2020-21 Away: 2/10

a-team-by-team-look-at-the-2020-21-schedule

A Team-by-Team Look at the 2020-21 Schedule

clenadams

You didn’t think we’d make it the entire way through Hispanic Heritage Month without a Cava-List featuring some of the greatest calls by the incomparable Rafa Hernandez-Brito, did you?

Incomparable is just one of the plethora of adjectives suitable to describe Rafa. He’s also gregarious, talented, jocular, intelligent, dedicated, loyal and, at times, boisterous. You can hear and feel the man’s presence from a mile away. He’s a pro’s pro and also one of the greatest guys you’ll ever meet.

Rafa joined the Cavaliers as the Spanish radio play-by-play man in the summer of 2014 after an illustrious broadcasting career that spanned Super Bowls, heavyweight championships, the Final Four, and the World Cup. If there’s a sporting event that’s been broadcast en Espanol, odds are that, at one time or another, the Mayor (El Alcalde) has called it.

”The way I see it, in Summer 2014,” explains Rafa. “Dan Gilbert went to Miami to make two acquisitions: LeBron James and myself – I’m not sure about the order.”

That’s the other thing about the swarthy Salvadorian. He ain’t shy.

Rafa has been immersed in Hispanic Heritage Month – which was originally introduced by Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and extends from September 15, a date when most Central American celebrate their independence, through October 16.

“Because it’s such a diverse culture, during that month even we get to learn about each other,” said Hernandez-Brito. “The Cavs are really concentrated on making sure that the relationship we have with the Hispanic community is not just transactional. It’s not about selling tickets; we really want to make an impact and create some change within the community. It’s something I’m really thrilled about.”

Only five NBA teams have Spanish broadcasters that travel aside from Hernandez-Brito: all three Texas teams and both Florida squads, both of whom have large Hispanic communities.

”Dan Gilbert has been so visionary about the game and the market and the business itself,” he recalls. “When LeBron came back, the Cavs decided to expand their reach – not just in Northeast Ohio, but everywhere, because the game is so global. I have fans that listen to my games in Chile, in Argentina, in Barcelona.”

If they’re listening out there, they’ve heard some of the spectacular calls that we have. So today, we present some of the best calls – as described in his own words – by the Spanish voice of the Cavaliers.

There’s nobody in the NBA like the notorious RHB and if you don’t believe me … read the story behind the call of Larry Nance Jr.’s game-winning tip-in two seasons ago against Indiana …

”So, this was the game after Derrick Rose won the Game 3 – banking home a three-pointer over Tristan Thompson.

”The legend of Delly was already growing, but he had a very big game in this one too. He’s the one who made the assist. Of course, the play was drawn up for him – but we all remember how that turned out.

”I was so pumped about the win and the fact that we tied the series. We would have been in big trouble coming home down, 3-1.

”I thought LeBron hit a three and, again, back to where we were located at the United Center, I’m in the hockey booth and the shot came in the opposite corner. So I thought it was a three. And it was the first time I’d ended a call with “BOOM!” because I was so pumped.

”That was probably the first call that got me some attention locally.”

”We had been watching him throughout the season, how he would have these amazing moments. And of course, we know about his athleticism.

”But that game, guarding Harden, that corner three he hit – I was so excited. Because just previous to that, he’d done a crossover on Harden that nearly put Harden on his backside, but he missed the shot. So, I saved some of the energy for that three.

”But I was so happy to see a young guy wanting the ball. We lost the game, but Kevin Porter said: “Here I am!” to everyone who loves the Cavs. He was on fire that night!

”We used that call for Kevin Porter on Noche Latina -- for him to impersonate it. All he got was the screaming part at the end.”

“That was a great game because obviously we were part of the rebuilding process then. And I have always loved how much Larry Nance Jr. has grown as a basketball player since he came back to Cleveland.

”We all know how hard it is to win Indiana. That game was, I think, the second leg of back-to-back, the Pacers had won seven in a row and we were not doing well – still rebuilding.

”But that night, my partner on the broadcast was Christian Stoinev – who’s the dude who does the halftime show with the chihuahua – Scooby. He was doing the game with me. So if you hear the play, it was right in front of us, you can hear him yell: ‘Larry Nance!’ before I said anything.

”That was the first game-winning bucket for Larry Nance Jr. and you could see and feel the emotion of the team. They really worked their butt off that night and that was one of my favorite calls.”

“This was Kyrie’s second 50-point game that year. Everyone remembers when he had those 11 threes against Portland at home not long before. And I remember that vividly as well.

”San Antonio was such a hard place to play at. And whenever you hear about my calls, you have to hear about my angle, because as you know, the position we’re in for Spanish Broadcasts is not exactly prime.

”In San Antonio, we’re behind the basket at the bottom of the first level in a corner. So, I do get blind spots, but for this one I was right there. It was right in my sights. Kyrie took that shot and just splashed it.

”So we had the satisfaction of winning in a tough arena, Kyrie getting that double-nickel and beating Gregg Popovich – which is always fun.”

”You cant do a list of best plays without including these two, right?

”Everybody thinks of Game 7 – and with good reason – as one of the greatest games ever played. But those last four minutes, when they were tied at 89-apiece, it was some of the worst basketball ever played. The Warriors building houses one brick at a time and the Cavs couldn’t hit a shot either.

”The block originates with Kyrie shooting an air-ball on a floater. I don’t even remember what came out of my mouth on the play – I was just a fan with a microphone. But when I say “Toponazo!” – which means “huge block” – by LeBron, the next thing that came out of my mouth was “nobody is taking the title away from LeBron.” I don’t know what possessed me to say it!

"I swear I wasn’t sure we were going to win it until Golden State was inbounding the ball with six seconds left after another miss by Curry. But that’s what came out of my mouth on the block. But I really felt that way – that he wouldn’t be denied.

"I remember thinking if we win Game 5, there’s no way the Warriors can beat us at home in Game 6. And if there’s a Game 7, anything can happen – because we had LeBron and they didn’t.”

“I remember it came after a timeout, and all series long, Ty Lue kept figuring out that we had to attack Curry.

”I don’t think that’s a secret to anybody watching those games now. But I set it up that way, and that’s why in my call, you hear me say whosever is being guarded by Curry has to set a screen. We knew the shot would be either Kyrie or LeBron – that was the luxury we had.

"So, J.R. sets the screen against Curry on the right side and I’m really just watching Kyrie doing his dance from right to left, really yo-yoing the ball. And when he puts it up, nothing other than that long “Siiiiiiiiii” and “Tio Drew” came out! That was just the natural reaction to what I was witnessing. And maybe because it was the first bucket in what seemed like a week.

"But when he made that, I swear it felt so good – and I’m glad my vocal chards didn’t rip because I was going with the long “Siiiiiiiiiii!!!!”

"And that has become my call and my license plate. People remember the call. I see people on the street, and they say that to me.”

the-cava-list-rafa-hernandez-britos-top-calls

The Cava-List: Rafa Hernandez-Brito's Top Calls

The Cavaliers downtown mini-bubble wrapped up last week and the team (along with Cavs.com) will be focusing on the 2020 NBA Draft in the coming weeks leading up to November 18.

While we gear up for the big night – with the Wine &amp; Gold holding the No. 5 overall pick for the second straight season – here’s a little Cava-List to get you through the rest of the week before the Browns and Colts square off on Sunday.

Normally, I don’t like to write the words “me” or “I” when publishing as Joe Gabriele on the website, but today we’re going to examine the franchise’s uniform number history, and this story definitely affects which way it’s going to go. Enough time has passed.

I have screwed up many times over my 18 seasons with the Cavaliers. This is one of them.

In 2013, I decided to write a feature – similar to today’s Cava-List – focused on uniform numbers from the past. My mistake was choosing to select “the best” player to ever wear every number.

Unsure as to what the organization’s attitude was towards LeBron James – then still with the Miami Heat after an … uh … interesting departure in 2010 – I chose Tyron Corbin as the greatest No. 23 in team history.

The piece wasn’t up an hour on Cavs.com before the local and national media had pounced on us. Even Dwyane Wade weighed in on social media.

Luckily, Cavs.com is on the Internet and no one had to scream: “Stop the presses!” Early that evening, I quickly swapped Tyron Corbin – who played 86 solid outings for the Cavs back in the mid-to-late-80s – for King James, re-published the list, and everything was everything.

To me, the greatest irony of the story was that I was actually one of LeBron’s biggest defenders when he left. I told anyone who’d listen that it was as if he was going to college and would eventually return.

It all worked out in the end. I still have my job and me and Numeral 23 are cool. I hope he wins his fourth ring over the next week or so.

Today’s Cava-List will look at some uniform number odds and ends over the history of the franchise – from No. 0 (Kevin Love) to No. 99 (Jae Crowder). And I’ll do my best to avoid ranking the guys, except to say – with respect to John Morton, Carl Thomas, Derek Anderson, Rod Higgins, Gary Freeman, Mike Bratz, Bruce Flowers, Rowland Garrett and yes, Tyron Corbin – that LeBron James was the best Cavalier to ever wear uniform No. 23.

Of course, there are seven Cavs uniform numbers that’ll never be worn again: 42 – Nate Thurmond, 7 – Bingo Smith, 34 – Austin Carr, 22 – Larry Nance, 43 – Brad Daugherty, 25 – Mark Price, and 11 – Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

But only one of those numbers is the only one that was ever worn and ever will be. That belongs to Bingo Smith – who chose No. 7 when he arrived in the 1970 expansion draft and donned it for 10 memorable seasons in Cleveland.

0 - Lari Ketner, Jeff McInnis, C .J . Miles, Kevin Love

00 - Milos Babic, Benoit Benjamin, Darnell Jackson, Chris Andersen

1 - Ken Higgs, Darnell Valentine, Terrell Brandon, Wesley Person, Carlos Boozer, Stephen Graham, Daniel Gibson, Jarrett Jack, James Jones, Derrick Rose, Rodney Hood, Nik Stauskas

2 -  Mo Howard, Reggie Williams, Mike Woodson, Reggie Geary, Scott Brooks, Mark Bryant, Jim Jackson, Dajuan Wagner, Flip Murray, Mo Williams, Kyrie Irving, Collin Sexton

3 -  Elmore Smith, Ennis Whatley, Eddie Johnson, Craig Ehlo, Bob Sura, Jeff Trepagnier, Tierre Brown, J .R . Bremer, Sasha Pavlovic, Sebastian Telfair, Ramon Sessions, Dion Waiters, Kendrick Perkins, Mike Dunleavy, Derrick Williams, Isaiah Thomas, George Hill, Patrick McCaw, Kobi Simmons, Cameron Payne, Marquese Chriss

4 -  Campy Russell, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Sedric Toney, Harold Miner, Shawn Kemp, Chris Mihm, Tony Battie, David Wesley, Ben Wallace, Antawn Jamison, Luke Walton, Iman Shumpert, Jaron Blossomgame

5 -  Bobby Lewis, Jimmy Cleamons, Mike Evans, John Bagley, Steve Kerr, Steve Colter, Earl Boykins, Kedrick Brown, Coby Karl, Ryan Hollins, Kevin Jones, Will Cherry, J .R . Smith

Two Cavaliers have worn both uniform Nos. 8 and 9, both are all-time fan favorites and were actually teammates on the 2016 squad that won the World Championship.

Matthew Dellavedova – who wore No. 18 upon his return to Cleveland in 2018 – wore No. 8 (and No. 9) in 2014, ’15 and ’16. Channing Frye, traded to the Cavs in 2016, wore No. 9 when he arrived in 2016 and again upon his return in 2019, but donned No. 8 in 2017-18.

6 - Larry Nance, Mitchell Butler, Shannon Brown, Jerome Moiso, Manny Harris, Ben Uzoh, Earl Clark, Andrew Bogut

8 -  Scott Wedman, Lonnie Shelton, Tim Kempton, Brian Skinner, Mateen Cleaves, Tarence Kinsey, Christian Eyenga, Jeremy Pargo, Matthew Dellavedova, Channing Frye, Jordan Clarkson

9 -  Randy Smith, Mickey Dillard, Larry Kenon, Tony Campbell, Dan Majerle, Litterial Green, Cedric Jackson, Semih Erden, Matthew Dellavedova, Luol Deng, Jared Cunningham, Channing Frye, Larry Sanders, Dwyane Wade

10 -  Joe Cooke, Dick Snyder, Walt Frazier, Ron Brewer, Stewart Granger, Robert Smith, Butch Graves, John Battle, Ryan Stack, Anthony Johnson, Milt Palacio, Wally Szczerbiak, Sergey Karasev, John Holland, Alec Burks

11 -  John Warren, Walt Frazier, Willie Smith, Cliff Robinson, Kevin Johnson, Mike Sanders, Terrell Brandon, John Crotty, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

12 -  Kevin Williams, Kevin Henderson, Gerald Madkins, Elmer Bennett, Brevin Knight, Bimbo Coles, Lucious Harris, Kevin Ollie, Billy Thomas, Joey Graham, D .J . Kennedy, Joe Harris, Jordan McRae, David Nwaba

13 -  James Silas, John Amaechi, Donny Marshall, Michael Stewart, Delonte West, Tristan Thompson

14 -  Foots Walker, Lowes Moore, Dirk Minniefield, Bobby Phills, Mark Hendrickson, Ira Newble, Danny Green, Lester Hudson, Shaun Livingston, Henry Sims, Sasha Kaun, DeAndre Liggins

15 -  Dave Sorenson, Cornell Warner, Chuckie Williams, Butch Lee, Roger Phegley, Keith Herron, Matt Harpring, Cedric Simmons, Jamario Moon, Donald Sloan, Marreese Speights, Anthony Bennett, London Perrantes, Sam Dekker

Kyle Korver is the only Cavalier in team history to wear uniform No. 26, which is not that noteworthy. But is he the greatest No. 26 in NBA history? (I know! I said I’d avoid ranking guys.)

The only No. 26 in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is Harry E. "Buddy" Jeannette, who won five championships in three different leagues – the NBL, ABL and the BAA – in the 1940s.

In between Buddy Jeannette and Kyle Korver – who ranks 4th on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list (2,450) – there are a lot of Jud Buchelers and Lester Hudsons, but no one in the former Cavalier sharpshooter’s orbit.

The only question from there becomes – ranked against Wade Boggs and Rod Woodson – if he’s the greatest 26 in sports history.

16 - Johnny Davis, Gary Alexander, Cedi Osman

17 -  Bobby Washington, Michael Hawkins, Smush Parker, Anderson Varejao

18 -  McCoy McLemore, Charlie Davis, John Williams, Kornel David, Anthony Parker, Mike Miller, Lenny Wilkens, Matthew Dellavedova

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