| | CLEVELAND -- Mark Price was almost automatic from the
free-throw line during his 12 seasons in the NBA. So was the Cavs'
decision to retire the former All-Star guard's number.
Price, whose arrival in Cleveland coincided with the franchise's
greatest run of success, had his No. 25 jersey retired during
halftime ceremonies Saturday night of the Cavaliers game against
the Milwaukee Bucks.
Price, the NBA's all-time leader in free-throw percentage,
played nine seasons for the Cavs, finishing as the club's career
leader in assists, steals and 3-pointers.
Fittingly, Price was presented with a piece of the floor from
the Richfield Coliseum, the Cavs former home, and stood just behind
the 3-point arc as his number was raised to the ceiling of Gund
Arena.
"I always wanted to give my all on the court for you," he told
the crowd. "I think that's why my time here in Cleveland was so
special, because y'all work hard. I loved playing here."
Taken with the 25th overall pick in the 1986 draft out of
Georgia Tech by the Dallas Mavericks, Price was immediately traded
to the Cavs for $125,000 and a second-round pick.
Cleveland also acquired Ron Harper and Brad Daugherty in that
draft, and it would be those three who would lead the franchise to
a strong six-year run which included a trip to the Eastern
Conference finals in 1992.
But perhaps the six-foot Price's greatest accomplishment was how
the Cavs played with him in the lineup. With Price, Cleveland was
345-237. When Price was sidelined with injuries and unable to play,
the Cavs were 61-95.
In '92, Price, considered too small to make it in the league,
became the first -- and still only -- Cavs player to be named first
team all-NBA, joining Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone
and Charles Barkley.
He endeared blue-collar Cleveland fans with his hard-nose
playing style and wholesome image away from the court, and became
the most popular player in franchise history.
Price, a four-time All-Star, converted nearly 91 percent of his
2,362 free-throw attempts in his career, missing just 23 from
1991-93 (567-590). He won the All-Star game's Long Distance
Shootout twice.
Price, currently an assistant coach at Georgia Tech, was joined
at the ceremony by his wife, Laura, and their four children as well
as Price's parents. Also present were Price's college coach Bobby
Cremins, former Cavs teammate Craig Ehlo, Cavs president Wayne
Embry and Cleveland owner Gordon Gund. Daugherty sent a video
tribute.
Price joined Nate Thurmond, Bingo Smith, Austin Carr, Larry
Nance and Brad Daugherty as Cavs to have their numbers retired. | |
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