Over the extended offseason, Cavs.com did a revolving feature called “Blast from the Past” – looking back through some of the unique aspects of Cavs history. The last installment was called “Journeyman’s Gallery.” It detailed some of the players who made a big splash during a small window of Cavaliers basketball. On Wednesday night, the Cavaliers waived guard Baron Davis, designating him as the team’s amnesty player.
In his short stint in Cleveland, the two-time All-Star played in 15 games, nine starts, for a total of 381 minutes. But there’s no denying: Even in a 19-win season, Baron Davis’ 381 minutes packed a punch.
On the first day of this year’s training camp, Coach Bryon Scott asserted that, in terms of the best mentor for Kyrie Irving: “You’re looking at him.” And after not practicing over the weekend, the 32-year-old Davis was absent on Media Day – getting a second opinion on what turned out to be an L2-3 bulging disk in his back.
So when the news of Davis’ departure came down on Wednesday evening, few were surprised.
But unlike some of the situations Baron left behind, the native southern Californian left nothing but good vibrations in Cleveland – repairing his relations with Byron Scott in the process.
“I love Cleveland – I love the fans, I love my teammates and this organization has been a great organization for me and my transition,” said Davis, in what turned out to be his last meeting with local media. “I just appreciate each and every moment that I’m here working out in these facilities and being with my teammates.”
Coach Scott, who butted heads with Baron in the Big Easy, shared that love when asked about No. 85 on Wednesday.
“I love Baron,” said Scott. “But I also want the best for him and I also want the best for this team and this organization.”
Davis – along with the lottery pick that eventually became Kyrie Irving – came to Cleveland at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. He arrived with career averages of 16.5 points and 7.3 assists per game over 801 contests. Among all active players, he ranked fourth (behind Jason Kidd, Steve Nash and Andre Miller) in total assists.
In his 15 games with Cavaliers, he averaged 13.9 points and 6.1 assists per. But here’s where his numbers depart from his brief run with the Wine and Gold.
Baron Davis came to Cleveland during one of the most difficult seasons in franchise history. In his first contest, a March 4 classic against the Knicks at the Garden, David made his debut by leading Cleveland to a thrilling 119-115 win – its 11th straight over New York.
In his first game in a Cavs uniform, Davis came off the bench to notch 18 points and five assists in 26 minutes of action. He went 4-for-7 from long-distance in the win – but no trey was bigger than the bomb with 10.9 seconds remaining that put the win on ice.
After Davis canned that huge three-pointer, he pointed demonstratively at Coach Scott, who pumped his fists in a rare display of emotion.
After leaving the team to be with his family after the passing of his grandmother in Los Angeles, Baron returned to lead the Cavaliers to a 6-6 mark over their last dozen games – no small feat considering the team had lost 26 straight before the Deadline deal.
Davis further endeared himself on March 29, when he helped the Cavaliers avenge an embarrassing early-season loss to the Heat. In that 102-90 watershed win, Davis canned a bomb to end the first quarter to curb an 8-0 Miami run and sunk a late basket to deflate the eventual Eastern Conference champs.
The Cavaliers averaged over 10 points more per contest (101.4 vs. 91.1) in Baron’s nine starts. And no player embodied the improved mindset and mentality than Ryan Hollins – Baron’s fellow Bruin – whose entire attitude changed after the trade. Just ask Dwyane Wade.
Nate Thurmond played just 114 games with the Cavaliers. Ben Wallace played 78 games, Joe Smith, 48, and Flip Murray, 28. Those players made the most of their time in Cleveland, as did Davis. Cavalier fans remember that.
Clevelanders loves players that like them back. And they can smell a carpetbagger or a guy who doesn’t want to be here. (See Clyde Frazier, 66 games.) Cleveland sports fans can dish out the disdain with the best of ‘em. But we also appreciate a player who appreciates us.
And it shouldn’t be underestimated that Baron is a well-respected veteran and will spread his impressions of Cleveland throughout the league. Word of mouth is a bigger factor in free agency than many people think.
On Friday night, the Cavaliers turn the car keys over to 20-year-old Kyrie Irving. Baron had them for only 15 games last year. But it was a heck of a short ride.