Most of the fans had long since gone home. Those who stayed hoped they would see glimpses of the future.
In the last Cavaliers home game, a 107-93 hammering by Dallas last Wednesday, Ricky Davis and Jumaine Jones closed the scoring with dunks worthy of showing up on Inside Stuff. Davis took a lob pass and rammed it home. Seconds later, after a steal, Jones double-pumped and threw down a jam at the buzzer.
``Me and Jumaine showed the fans that we've got a great future,'' Davis said. ``We've got great athleticism.''
Davis and Jones are still very raw. But they are providing some high-wire excitement to a team that desperately has needed it in recent years.
``That's what we've got to have if we want to get fans (in Gund Arena),'' Cavs coach John Lucas said.
The Cavs have had few great athletes in their history. The two most notable, Ron Harper and Derek Anderson, both were dispatched after short stays.
Davis and Jones are far from being in the class of those two players. But each has had their moments this season, and each has room to grow.