What we missed during our Cavalier Hiatus (Few wins, Many losses)

We took a little bit of a break, but we're back.

The Cavaliers are in the midst of yet another significant losing streak, and officially ended the month of December with 1 win.  We've lost 14 of 15, and there's not a whole lot to cheer for as we drop games to the likes of Charlotte, Minnesota, Sacramento, Detroit, and Philadelphia to name a few.

The franchise that won 66 games last year is now 8-24 on the season, on pace for close to a 20 win campaign.  Yikes. 

As Antawn Jamison put it, everyone in Cleveland can now put 2010 behind us and focus on the New Year.  2010 might prove to have been the most destructive, tumultuous year in the history of the franchise.  Our best shot at a championship disappeared overnight, and effectively ended the LeBron James era. 

That's not to say we haven't had some great moments this season; there have been a few.

For one, Cavalier-legend Darius Miles showed up to Quicken Loans Arena as a training camp invite of the Charlotte Bobcats.  Although he traded in the famous dreadlocks and double-fist head bump for a shaved head and old knees, it was still a joy to see D-Miles grace us with his presence.

We also managed to take down the Boston Celtics opening night, in a game that had a playoff atmosphere and left you feeling good about our chances for this season (Note: this was a false alarm). 

We watched as one of the most anticipated spectacles in all of sport took place in our backyard, as the now-maligned James made his return to the city scorned.  We booed him as loud as our voiceboxes would allow, chanted obscene and hateful things towards him, and watched as he destroyed our team defense en route to a 38 point beatdown that will forever be dubbed as, "The Return".

More recently, we watched Mo Williams hit a game-winner over the Bucks' Brandon Jennings, a much needed shot that lifted the spirits of a team in desperate need of anything resembling a win.

Antawn Jamison hit an 80 foot heave (forget that it was after the 1st quarter buzzer had sounded), in front of friends and family and a hostile Charlotte crowd of about 10 thousand.

Later that same game, Ramon Sessions provided us with what might have been the highlight of the season:  A power throwdown over Nazr Mohammed.  Dunks are a rare occurence this season, unless you count J.J. Hickson getting dunked on by James Harden in an old-fashioned Oklahoma City beatdown.

We've also "witnessed" the emergence of a future star, Manny Harris.  Manny's defensive intensity combined with his unlimited offensive potential will serve as the backbone of a Cavaliers' rise to prominence in the years to come.

No one can be sure how the roster will change this season; Jawad Williams has already gotten the axe, and Alonzo Gee has made a favorable first impression.  Byron Scott has made it clear that he would like to see a few more post-players added to our depleted roster.

Many are speculating that the team will attempt to trade away higher-salary contracts (Jamison) and play for next year's draft.  This franchise has already stockpiled draft picks and we hope to make a big splash by landing some big-name players. 

To say this season has been an epic fail would not be entirely inaccurate.  There are moments where you think we have a chance, and then the opposing team shuts the door.

There's one thing that has been constant throughout our 8 win campaign.  We always seem to play fairly well in the first half, and manage to keep the score close.  It's when the 4th quarter starts that the Cavs can't help but find a way to give away close games.  We gave the Heat a run for their money in Miami, but Wade and LeBron made sure we wouldn't come out of South Beach with a win.

All that being said, if you're still not a fan,then you never really were. The Youth Movement is upon us.  Byron Scott is the right coach for this team.  This is simply a minor setback.  This, is Cavaliers basketball.