Amazing the difference a year can make for a franchise in the NBA. Last year at this time the Cleveland Cavaliers were feeling the pain of getting bounced from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, while wondering if their superstar, LeBron James was going to leave. We all know how that played out.

Now after a season that saw the franchise lose 63 games and quickly become one of the NBA cellar dwellers, even those looking at Preakness Stakess odds believe that the Cavs have hope once again.

On Tuesday night, those looking at Preakness Stakes Betting note how the Cavs won the right to draft first in this year’s NBA Draft. The ping pong balls fell their way and now Cleveland must decide on who their pick will be.

Sadly unlike the last time they had the first pick, there is no LeBron. Not even close. This is one of the weaker drafts of recent years and with no clear cut superstar on the board, the Cavs will have to make the right choice for them going forward.

The great thing is they have two top-four picks in the draft, meaning they are going to improve fast.

With the first pick they will likely decide between point guard Kyrie Irving of Duke or Arizona forward Derrick Williams. Either way, they could end up getting both if the cards fall just right.

After the way LeBron left town and set the franchise back for what many thought would be decades, it is great to see optimism once again in Cleveland.

Now owner Dan Gilbert can retool a lot faster than expected and have the Cavaliers fighting for the playoffs once again. Gilbert was defiant when James left, but it was obvious all season his team needed plenty more firepower to live up to his promise that the Cavs would win the title before the Heat.

With Miami still alive in this year’s playoffs, that promise could be moot.

But regardless of how many titles James wins or does not win, he will always be remembered in Cleveland as a villain.

Getting the top pick won’t change the Cavaliers overnight like the LeBron pick but it is a huge step in the right direction for fans who deserve it.

It will all break down for Cleveland and the rest of the NBA at the end of June when David Stern introduces the first pick in the draft. Who do you think it will be?

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