subject: Top 20 Cleveland Cavaliers: #15 Wesley Person [print this page] Top 20 Cleveland Cavaliers: #15 Wesley Person
Let's be real: I have no grounds for making this pick. Wesley Person sneaks in at #15 on my list.. and I'm not even really sure why. It's my 22nd birthday today, sodon't ask questions. Wes was born in Alabama, and attended the University of Auburn. He was well-regarded for his shooting ability, and was expected to be a 1st round draft pick in the 1994 NBA Draft.
The Phoenix Suns saw something they liked in Person, and drafted him with the 24th overall pick. He only played three forgettable seasons in Phoenix before the Cavaliers acquired him in 1997. The Cavaliers saw a solid player and a great perimeter threat, and he was a key part of the 97-98 season. That year happened to be his best statistical season, when he averaged 14.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.53 steals a game.
Speaking of the 1997 season, this was pretty much Wesley's best as a professional basketball player. He played in all 82 games, shot 43% from the 3 point line, and averaged 39 minutes a game.His 3 pointstroke was nothing to joke about: he led the league in both 3's made and attempted. Playing alongside Wes Person that year was Brevin Knight, Danny Ferry, Shawn Kemp, Bob Sura, and a rookie named Zydrunas Ilgauskas.In one of his best games that year, he scored 31 points.. coming off the bench. When he was on, he was one of the best pure shooters in the Assocation. Combine Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan, and you get Wesley Person.. sort of.
The Good News: that year we finished 47-35, and made the playoffs. The Cavaliers were the best defensive team in the league. The Bad News: the Cavaliers got bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs, losing 3 games to 1to the Indiana Pacers. Wesley finished the year second in scoring for Cleveland behind the legendary (I use the term lightly) Shawn Kemp.
The Cavaliers and Wesley Personparted ways after the 2002 season. Heplayed with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, MiamiHeat, and Denver Nuggets before his playing days were over in 2005. Clearly his best years werein Cleveland.
Wesley Person represents the good-old-Cavalier-days of the late 90's. The man was a threatfrombehind the arcevery time he touchedthe ball. His career 3 point percentage wasalmost 42%. Makes sense that he was selected tocompete inmultiple All-Star Weekend 3 point shootout contests.Although henever did win one, his presence in the festivitiesmade me proud to bea Cavaliers fan. I'm not sure how hemade it higher on the list thanTerrellBrandon and BobbyPhills, but I think it's because I saw moreof him. He blossomed early and faded quickly, but he is still a Cavalier great. LeBron never got the chancetodial-up Wesley, buthe told me he wishesWes-P had stuck aroundfor a few more years. It's true, Wesley Person is Underrated
