Cavaliers select 1970s All-Decade members

CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have put together a list of their finest players from the expansion era, as the franchise is in the midst of celebrating its 45th

CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers have put together a list of their finest players from the expansion era, as the franchise is in the midst of celebrating its 45th anniversary.

The All-70s team was presented via photo gallery on the team's website. (You should also read the great feature on ex-Cavaliers forward Dick Snyder by Cavs.com beat writer Joe Gabriele.)

Here are the members of the Cavs' All-1970s team:

AUSTIN CARR, 6-4, SG, 1971-80

No. 1 overall draft pick out of Notre Dame in 1971. ... Averaged better than 20 points per game in each of his first three seasons. ... As noted on Cavs.com, still among the franchise's all-time top five in games played, points scored, field goals made and field goals attempted. ... My dad told me AC was the greatest college player he ever saw. ... And a darn good NBA one, too.

BINGO SMITH, 6-5, G/F, 1970-80

Selected by the Cavs in the 1970 expansion draft from the San Diego Rockets. ... Averaged a career-high 15.9 points while playing all 82 games in 1974-75. ... Versatile swingman who possessed a high-arcing jumper. ... Third on the team's all-time list with 720 games played.

CAMPY RUSSELL, 6-8, SF, 1974-80, 1984-85

Drafted by the Cavs with the No. 8 overall pick in 1974. ... The pick that was used to draft Russell was obtained, along with Dick Snyder, from Seattle (for a Cavs' first-round pick). ... Nicknamed "Mr. Moves," averaged a career-high 21.9 points and made an All-Star Game appearance in 1978-79. ... Averaged 27.5 points in two playoff games the season before that. ... Came off the bench in all 410 games of his Cavs career.

JIM CHONES, 6-11, C/F, 1974-79

Acquired by the Cavs in a trade with the Lakers (for a 1975 first-round draft pick) in May 0f 1974. ... Averaged 15.5 points and 10.3 rebounds in his five seasons with the Cavs. ... Broke his foot in practice during the playoffs of the Miracle of Richfield season of 1975-76. ... Coach Bill Fitch has repeatedly insisted the Cavs would've won it all had Chones remained healthy.

NATE THURMOND, 6-11, C, 1975-77

Acquired by the Cavs in a trade with the Bulls in November of 1975. ... Cavs sported a record of 6-11 when they traded for Thurmond. They went 43-22 after and made their first playoff appearance. ... Grew up in Akron, attended Bowling Green and won a championship with the Warriors. ... Averaged just 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 114 career game with the Cavs. ... But his leadership and winning know-how were huge factors.

SIXTH MAN: Foots Walker, 6-0, PG, 1974-80

COACH: Bill Fitch, 1970-79

Honorable Mention: Dick Snyder, Jim Cleamons, Jim Brewer, Lenny Wilkens.

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