With all the talk of free agency in the last month I started to remember some of my favorite former Cavs. Awhile back our friend Zoner over at Pippen Ain’t Easy decided to do an All Ex-Bulls Team post that I really enjoyed. So now I’m taking a crack at it for our (formerly) beloved Cavaliers.

DeSagana Diop-C

DeSagana was one of four High School players that declared for the NBA draft in 2001 and was selected 8th overall by the Cavs. Sadly, like most of Clevelands draft picks, Diop never lived up to the hype. In four seasons averaged 1.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, and 0.8 bpg while he averaged 10.8 minutes per game. After spending 4 years with the Cavs, Diop moved on and signed with Dallas and finished last year in Charlotte.

Carlos Boozer- PF

Being the Duke fan that I am, I loved it when Cleveland made a steal when they selected Carlos Boozer in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. Boozer averaged 10.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg during his rookie year and followed it up by 15.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg in 2003. After the 2003-2004 season the Cavaliers were able to retain Boozer for another year at $695,000 but decided to release him after the Cavaliers received a verbal agreement from Boozer that he would resign for 6 yrs and $39 Million. However, Boozer decided to sign with Utah for 6 yrs and $70 Million. Even though Boozer screwed us over in the long run and possibly cost the Cavaliers an NBA Championship, he was a great player and was loved by many fans.

Jason Kapono-SF

Losing Kapono is one of those moves that have bitten Cleveland in the ass. Although Kapono only spent one year in Cleveland he led the Cavaliers in three point field goal percentage. Since leaving Cleveland, Kapono has become the most accurate three point shooter in NBA history. A NBA All-Star Weekend Three Point Shootout winner, Kapono is tied with Steve Kerr for Career 3pt percentage at .454.

Larry Hughes-SG

In 2005, Cleveland signed Larry Hughes to a 5 year/ $70 Million contract. Cleveland always had high hopes for Hughes, but injuries plagued Hughes for most of his stay in Cleveland. In the 2006-2007 season Larry Hughes helped LeBron James lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Since leaving Cleveland, Hughes has made stops in Chicago and New York.

Andre Miller-PG

Andre Miller was selected to the All-Rookie First team in 1999 after the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him 8th overall earlier that year. Miller only spent three years in Cleveland but put up big numbers. He at least 10 ppg in all three seasons with the Cavs, and he was the only player in the NBA in 2002 to average double digit points and assists. Miller also set a Franchise record for most assists in a season and was the first Cavaliers player to be named player of the week twice. Miller is the best all-around point guard the Cavaliers have ever seen, and has been loved by fans for years.

Bench is after the jump.

Drew Gooden-PF

Drew was always a guy that I enjoyed watching play. I always thought of him as a poor man’s Boozer, without the attitude. He was a loyal player and played hard every night. I never understood why Gooden couldn’t stay in one place. He has double double ability and can hurt you inside the paint, when he’s not throwing up off the wall shots.

Shannon Brown-SG

What can I say about Shannon Brown? Not much since he never really played much in Cleveland. I was excited when we first drafted him. I saw what he could do in college and I hoped to see that continue in the NBA. Like many others, Shannon never really panned out for the Cavaliers. Most of his (little) success has come with other teams, mainly the Los Angeles Lakers. I never would’ve guessed that Shannon Brown would have a Championship ring before LeBron James.

Ricky Davis-SF

Davis was a solid player when he was in Cleveland. There’s no doubt that his explosiveness made him a fan favorite. However his selfishness and showboating sent him packing. I remember when Davis was a rebound shy of his first triple double and in the closing seconds of a game Davis intentially missed a shot in hopes of recording his 10th rebound. Instead, Davis was fouled and then fined by the Cavaliers following the game.

Flip Murray-G

I always liked Flip. He brought great energy off the bench and could put up some points in a hurry. He had a great shot on occasion, I love his ability to score off the bench, but when that would happen was anybody’s guess. He never was much of a team player but he made up for it with his occasional scoring.

“Big” Ben Wallace-PF

For as much as “Big Ben” pissed me off over the past couple seasons, I couldn’t help but love the guy. He was a team player, and he had great work ethic. But that’s about all he was while he was in Cleveland. Years ago, Wallace was a BEAST on defensive. Sadly, Cleveland was never able to see that side of Ben. But that didn’t stop fans from loving him.

Matt Harpring-SF

Harpring was a quality player who only spent one year in Cleveland, but left quite the impression. He came into a depleted Cavaliers team and put up good numbers (11.1 ppg and 4.3 rebounds in 56 games). As much as I like Matt I was glad when we traded him for Tyrone Hil and Jumaine Jones.

Donyell Marshall-PF

I’ll always remember Donyell for trying to enter a game wearing and Under Armour undershirt when he accidently removed his jersey while taking off his sweats. In all seriousness, without Donyell the Cavaliers wouldn’t have made it to the NBA finals in 2007 let alone made it out of the Eastern Conf. Semifinals. His 6 three pointers in game 6 of the semifinals clinched the series against the New Jersey Nets.