I love looking back at these types of moments (as a Cavs history buff) . And as someone who can only view highlights of that team (or [in]famous hardwood classics), I might have done my research of that team, but I only have limited hindsight as well (was only 2 years old when that shot happened).
There was so much potential as a team. We had a center who (while a bit more brittle) was drafted 1st from a generation filled with talented centers drafted 1st overall: Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson. We had a point guard who is considered an elite shooter in NBA history a la shorter Steve Nash or Steph Curry; he was just in the wrong era (an era with hand-checking). And we had a power forward considered an all-time shot-blocker as one of the few forwards to lead the NBA in that category.
Yeah... Daugherty, Price, and Nance were a great combo of all-stars, but we actually had even more guys who brought their A game. The shooting guard was a great player who could've been an all-star if he had enough chances/trust/health. The multi-faceted big man who could've filled in at any of the three frontcourt positions (and mostly off the bench as the great sixth-man). The "Santa Claus from Lubbock, Texas" wasn't too bad either, just not the right answer to the (Heir) Air Jordan...
I guess what makes me sad is how short that window was. I guess even in 1989, it was somewhat clear that they were good (and coached pretty damn well), but were fragile even then (though getting hit by an elbow is pretty bad situation). What if Brad Daugherty was as durable as his peers (most of them played double the amount of years Brad did)? What if Price managed to play at that high level for at least the last four years of his career ('94-'98)? What if Ron was able to carve out his career for us (not just healthy, but not removed because of bad connections?)?
I started following the Cavs properly in 1997-1998. I guess I wonder what we would be like with everybody from '89, but 10 years later without the health issues? And if we fixed our lagging depth and brought new blood into the fold as we moved along (like when we got Tyrone Hill, Terrell Brandon, Bob Sura, Derek Anderson, Brevin Knight, etc.). It's a pitiful what-if which would look so different with that butterfly-effect.
Fortunately, we won't have to worry any more. Getting that championship helps ease my mind, even 3 years later. Nothing, not even 30 years in the past, will stop me in my tracks.