Last season, the acquisition of Baron Davis and a draft pick--which turned out to be the #1 pick for Kyrie Irving--helped the Cavaliers move on from the drama of summer 2010 and begin re-establishing a winning attitude. In between summer 2010 and the Davis acquisition, the Cavs still had some talent, but they lacked an identity. With Davis in the locker room, the team became a more confident, more consistent team.
While the Cavs' record remains below .500 this season, their ability to stay competitive and come back from deficits in games this season is no coincidence. Unlike last season and many seasons past, this Cavaliers team does not give up on games. Until the final buzzer sounds, they believe they can win. They play together instead of in isolation; they do not just stand around and watch one or two guys do everything on offense or on defense. They play with energy and enthusiasm; they want to be on the court.
To help put things in perspective, let's look at a couple different scenarios from the past couple of years.
Two years ago, on national TV in the playoffs, the Cavs had what was believed to be a championship caliber team. They had the reigning league MVP, the reigning Coach of the Year, and a future hall-of-fame center. Yet, in the spotlight on a grand stage at home, in a pivotal Game 5 in a 2-2 series, the team lost by 32 points to the lower-seeded Boston Celtics. Whether it was just one individual or several individuals, someone quit during that game.
A couple weeks ago, a young, rebuilding Cavs team faced an aging but still championship caliber Celtics team. Despite a double-digit deficit for most of the second half, the Cavs kept battling. Riding a 12-0 run to close out the game, capped by a big shot by rookie Kyrie Irving, the Cavs made a comeback and won on the Celtics' home court. No Cleveland players quit during that game.
Playoffs or no playoffs, lottery pick or no lottery pick, this Cavaliers team is destined for success. It's not just about talent or luck; it's about attitude. To build a winning franchise with a winning culture, a team/organization/locker room must have a winning attitude. This team has it. As the Cavs continue to improve and keep on winning, they will face situations like they did two years ago. Unlike that team, however, this Cavs team will not have to question itself or motivate itself to keep competitive, as a winning attitude will be a driving force to bigger things ahead. As Nick Gilbert said after the Cavs won the draft lottery last year, "What's not to like?"