The Cavs, once a nightly staple on SportsCenter, have become just that again, but for all of the wrong reasons. 

Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their 25th straight NBA game – all in the same season.

That’s something that no other team has done in the history of the league.

Reflections on the Cleveland organizationduring the King James’ regime revealed what many people didn’t want to believe – that LeBron was an overworked slave.  The proof is in the pudding, which would be the team’s lack of success this season.

But a struggle was suspected.  A catastrophe – maybe not.  But should it have been?

It’s amazing to fathom.  This team, which won 127 games in its last two full regular seasons, was hinged on James being a part of the organization indefinitely.  And now, what has developed is what happens when a team of role players – none of whom have an ability to create a shot for himself – tries to compete in a league saturated with players who have that ability (particularly given that most of the players grew up imitating Michael Jordan).

Unlike other futile teams, the Cavaliers are unable to put one consistent mismatch on the floor.  A starting unit which includes Ramon Sessions, Anthony Parker, Christian Ayenga, Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson is very troublesome, indeed.  On pure adrenaline perhaps, the Cavs stormed out of the gate to win seven of their first 16 games.  Albeit, Mo Williams and Andersen Varajeo were healthy, it was still quite stunning to see their early season success.  But upon further examination of Cleveland’s lineup, one would have to wonder…

How much longer can this losing streak go on?

Dejected looks on the faces of Cavs players have been a common sight this season.

At some point, the Cavs will break this infamous streak, but it won’t be a predictable event.  Every other team in the league has at least one dynamic, All-Star caliber player.  Minnesota has Kevin Love.  Sacramento has Tyreke Evans.  New Jersey has Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.  Even Toronto has 20-plus point scorer Andrea Bargnani, and budding star DeMar DeRozan.  On the front of a consistent lack of success this year, the Cavs can only be matched by the Washington Wizards on the road.  The Wizards have lost every game they have showed up to play away from home, dropping their first 25 games.  Thus, the date of February 13 versus Washington (at the Q) has been circled as a possible end to the Cavs’ streak.  But it more likely may be an end to Washington’s streak. The Wizards have actually posted an above .500 record at home (13-12), and indication that they simply need maturity and the requisite mental toughness to compete on the road.

And unlike the Cavs, they have direction in the form of a highly touted draft pick (John Wall) and some talented pieces (Nick Young, Andray Blatche) whom they feel will aid them in an attempted return to respectability.

But at the conclusion of this season, Cleveland should have a stranglehold on being the team with the highest probability of attaining the top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

And all of a sudden, the Cavs are back where they started eight years ago.

“With the #1 pick in the NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select…”

Who will it be this time?  Unfortunately for them, it won’t be another LeBron James.  The road back to contention will be much longer, and will include more than one lottery pick.

But for Cavs’ fans, hopefully, it won’t include many more historical feats like the current one.

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