Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
By Frank Urbina
4. Austin Carr (SG) — No. 1 pick in 1971 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Cavaliers): 635 GP, 16.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 0.8 STL, 0.1 BLK, 1.8 TOV, 45.1 FG%, 2/6 3PT, 80.8 FT%
The man known as Mr. Cavalier, Austin Carr, is next up on our countdown.
Carr was the first great player in the team’s history, who spent the early years of his career carrying the expansion franchise on a nightly basis. Over that time span, between 1971-74, the former Notre Dame star averaged 21.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Eventually, he helped lead Cleveland to three straight NBA Playoff appearances (their first three ever), before his time in Northeast Ohio came to an end in 1980.
Throughout his playing days, Carr made one All-Star team as well as the All-Rookie First Team in 1972. But more than that, it’s what he’s done with the organization in his post-playing days that earned him the No. 4 spot in our ranking.
Currently, the former studly 2-guard serves as the color commentator for the Cavaliers’ television broadcasts. His raspy, energetic voice is immediately recognizable by anyone who’s seen a Cavs highlight over the past decade-plus. He has become known for being unafraid of calling out opposing players when he feels they’re acting buffoonish as well. Just observe:
Overall, Carr is a class act who’s done an outstanding job of representing the Cavs organization over the past 46 years, and he embodies the Mr. Cavalier moniker in a way that makes fans of the Ohioan franchise swell with pride.