* Photo Credit:
– “Cleveland Cavaliers” by RMTip21 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Article by Darayus Sethna
On Wednesday, April 29th, I was able to access another exclusive conference call between Cavs television broadcaster, John Michael, and four time NBA All-Star, Mark Price. Price played a total of twelve years in the NBA (1986-1998), nine of which were with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For his career, Price averaged about 15 points and 7 assists per game. He shot 48% from the field, and over 90% from the free-throw line.
During the conference call, John Michael highlighted The Last Dance documentary that is currently airing on ESPN. He asked Price about the famous last second shot from Michael Jordan over Craig Ehlo in game five of the 1989 playoff series between the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls:
“It was just an unbelievable series… the last team that had the ball was probably going to win the game.”
That shot was one of Jordan’s first major moments of his illustrious fourteen year career with Chicago (1984-1998). Price exclaimed how he might be able to now enjoy the ESPN documentary, now that this particular nightmare of Cavaliers history is finally over.
Price also mentioned his time as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets last season (2018-2019). He elaborated on the similarities that he sees from this western conference powerhouse, and how they resemble many characteristics of what his old Cavalier team had to offer:
“They’ve ❲the Nuggets❳ got a phenomenal center ❲Nikola Jokić❳ and a scorer in Jamal Murray.”
Another interesting aspect in which Price was asked about consisted of his perspectives on this current Cavalier roster, especially with their young guard tandem of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. More specifically, he focused on how their youth and minimal experience in college was not always the route players in the past would take in their journey to the NBA:
“The point guard is by far the toughest position to play… They ❲Sexton and Garland❳ both have extremely high upside… They don’t have the experience ❲from college❳ coming in.”
Nonetheless, many players of the past are usually all asked that same question: LeBron or MJ?
According to Price, it is not always about the individual player themselves. Instead, it is their impact on the generations of fans they played for which determine their greatness:
“In my opinion, I think the great players who were at the top of their era, could play in any era.”
Although he had never won a championship in his twelve year career, it is clear that Mark Price paved the way for younger and smaller guards of the modern NBA, such as Sexton and Garland. With his exquisite play, Price illustrated that you do not only have to be seven feet and simply overpower your opponent; you can also be just as valuable when you are shorter than six feet- with skill, speed, and accuracy.
* To access the “Cleveland Sports Show” podcast and my other work, please visit darayus.news, where you will be able to view my “Twitter” account (@NordoniaSports) as well as my “SoundCloud” Channel.
* You can also locate my “Spotify” Channel by typing in “The Cleveland Sports Show” or “Darayus Sethna” in the “Spotify” search bar.
