What a difference a year makes, indeed, especially if you're a Cleveland Cavaliers fan.

Just a season ago-heck, just a few months ago -- the Cavs had little going for them except for the bright future of budding star Kyrie Irving and the No.1 NBA Draft pick that manifested itself into Andrew Wiggins. And even the lure of the future could not distract the fans from the grim reality that was their 33-49 record in the NBA standings that had them place 10th in the Eastern Conference, well out of playoff contention.

No matter what Cleveland had tried in the last few years, there was no escaping the fact that LeBron James' infamous "Decision" to take his talents to South Beach in the summer of 2010 had left the Cavaliers' roster and their fans in the Dark Ages as they struggled clumsily to rebuild.   

But that was then. This is now.

Two months removed from the last game of the 2014 NBA Finals, the Cavs' fortunes turned around overnight when Cleveland's favorite son James decided to return home in free agency to where it all began for the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA champion. That signing alone turned the Cavs from doormats to contenders. Added to that, it looks like All-Star forward Kevin Love may be the next big domino to tip Cleveland's way in a projected All-Star "Big Three" trio of James, Irving and Love. How could this rejuvenated and threatening team get any more dangerous?

Well, how about adding arguably the greatest three-point shooter and one of the most feared clutch players in NBA history to the mix?

Free agent Ray Allen, a two-time NBA champion and 10-time NBA All-Star, would be returning for his 19th NBA season and hasn't decided whether or not he wants to lace up his sneakers one more time. However, reports say the Cavs are "optimistic" that they can sign the all-time leader in three pointers made and attempted for another go-round with old Miami Heat teammate James and one last shot at another NBA title.

The Cavs are certainly in prime position to grab their first-ever NBA title with James, Irving and potentially Love leading the way. But the Cavs are still young, inexperienced and will need the veteran mentoring that is required in the tough, grueling crucible of the NBA playoffs.

Enter Allen.

A tested playoff warrior with two rings and four NBA Finals appearances to his name, Allen has seen and done it all in nearly two decades of NBA basketball. He knows all the tricks, he knows all the shortcuts and how to prepare for those big games. As a crunch time player, he is beyond compare. It was Allen's icy three-point dagger with five seconds left in Game 6 of a memorable 2013 NBA Finals that gave the sinking Heat life against a game San Antonio Spurs squad and changed the tide of the series en route to Miami's second straight NBA championship. He's an old hand with a cool head, and that's exactly what this maturing, full-of-potential Cavaliers roster needs. Having one of the game's great guards serving as teacher could only make an already-talented Irving even better.

Consider this: several of the great NBA teams of the past have had someone who could hit the three-ball from downtown in the clutch on a nightly basis. The Chicago Bulls' second dynasty had sharpshooter Steve Kerr. The Lakers of the early 2000s had Derek Fisher. The Spurs have Manu Ginobili. Allen was that guy for Miami the last two seasons. Without Allen, the Heat might not have been two-time NBA champs.

But Allen's bag of tricks doesn't stop there. He's also a pretty good passer, which can be essential in igniting Cleveland's offense and helping to boost the confidence of youngsters that need to get going on offense to shine. In addition, he's a solid defender, and defense is at a premium in the playoffs, where defense is what often wins the game.

Yet, more importantly than that, Allen is a winner. With his help, in 2008, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett hoisted the Boston Celtics' first NBA championship for the first time since 1986. And he helped LeBron take home his second ring thanks to a moment Allen etched in the annals of NBA history. If there is anything that the Cavs could use, it's the experience that comes from having conquered the top of the mountain before. James and Allen have become friends over the last two years, a friendship that has no doubt gotten stronger as the wars of the playoffs brought them deeper into June. Allen knows that where LeBron goes, championship dreams follow. And James knows that Allen, always in great condition, is as cold-blooded as they come when it comes to the big moments. Allen lives for them, thrives in them, and that is invaluable. And come the elimination games that Cleveland will find themselves playing in next spring, the Cavs are going to find Allen a more welcoming sight working with them rather than against them, as he did when the Cavaliers and Celtics fought each other in playoff years past.

Getting James made Cleveland contenders. Getting Love could guarantee them the Finals. But adding Allen as the finishing touch? That could be the finishing touch the Cavs need to finally taste NBA championship gold.

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