Cleveland Cavaliers
From NBA wiki
| Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Division | Central Division |
| Founded | 1970 |
| History | Cleveland Cavaliers (1970-present) |
| Arena | Quicken Loans Arena formerly Gund Arena |
| City | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Team Colors | Wine, Gold, Navy Blue, and White |
| Owner | Dan Gilbert David Katzman Usher Raymond |
| General Manager | Danny Ferry |
| Head Coach | Mike Brown |
| Championships | None |
| Conference Titles | 1 |
| Division Titles | 1 (1976) |
The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) is a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a 1970 expansion team.
Contents |
[edit] Home arenas
- Cleveland Arena (1970-1974)
- Coliseum at Richfield (1974-1994)
- Quicken Loans Arena (formely called Gund Arena) (1994-present)
[edit] Franchise history
In the 1975-1976 season, with Carr, Bingo Smith, Jim Chones, Dick Snyder, and newly acquired Nate Thurmond, Fitch led the Cavs, as the team is commonly nicknamed, to a 49-33 record, which was the best record in the Central Division. He received the league's Coach of the Year award as the Cavs made their first-ever playoff appearance.
The Cavs won the series against the Washington Bullets, 4-3. Because of the many heroics and last-second shots, the series became known locally as the "Miracle of Richfield." However, hampered by injuries, particularly to Jim Chones, the Cavs proceeded to lose to the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs.
In the 1980s, new owner Ted Stepien quickly hired and fired a succession of coaches, made a number of poor trades and poor free agent signing decisions. Stepien's poor trades cost the team several first round draft picks, and led to a rule change in the NBA prohibiting teams from trading away first round draft picks in consecutive years. The rule is known as the "Ted Stepien Rule." Stepien threatened to move the franchise to Toronto, but brothers George Gund and Gordon Gund purchased the franchise in the mid 1980s and decided to keep the team in Cleveland. In 1993, Toronto would, in fact, get an expansion franchise, the Toronto Raptors.
In 1986, under the Gund brothers as owners, the team acquired, either through trades or the draft, Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper, and Larry Nance. These players (minus Harper, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Danny Ferry) formed the core of the team that led the Cavs to eight playoff seasons in the next nine years, including three 50-wins plus seasons. However, in 1989, the Cavs were paired against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. It was a best-of-five-series. Cleveland managed to beat the Bulls in overtime, 108-105 and tied the series 2-2. Home court advantage went to Cleveland. The game was evenly matched, until Cleveland managed to score on a drive and raise the lead by 1, with 3 seconds left. Chicago called time. The ball was inbounded to Michael Jordan, who went for a jump shot. Cleveland's Craig Ehlo jumped in front to block it, but Jordan seemed to stay in the air until Ehlo landed. "The Shot" went in as time ran out, with Chicago winning the series 3-2. The buzzer-beater is considered one of Jordan's greatest clutch moments, and the game itself one of the greatests. But the pinnacle of the Cavs' success came in the 1991-1992 season, when they compiled a 57-25 record and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, losing again to the Chicago Bulls 4-2. Cleveland had no success in the playoffs during this period.
After then, an era of decline came for Cavs. With retirements and departures of Nance,Daugherty and Price, team lost its power and no longer was able even to fight for playoffs, where once they used to be the greatest trouble against the Bulls.
For several years under leadership of point guard Terrell Brandon, Cavs became the most defensive team of NBA, setting its tactics all on defense,being the NBA's least point conceding team.But offensive inproductivity caused Cavs to have no success in this era.
Later on, players like Ricky Davis, Zydrunas Ilgauskas were added to the team, increasing the quality, but without any success.
However, after the Cavs' glory days came several losing seasons. Those seasons saw the Cavs drop to the bottom of the league, becoming a perennial lottery draft team. After another disappointing season in 2002-2003, the Cavs landed the number one draft pick in the NBA Lottery.
King James
The Cavs selected high school phenom LeBron James. James' status as both a local star (having played his high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in nearby Akron) and one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA history led many to view his selection as a turning point in the franchise's history. The 2003-2004 season offered great hope for the future, as James rose to become a dominating player, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Hope was even greater for the 2004-2005 season. James blossomed into a superstar, increasing his points average, shooting percentage, assists average, and rebounds average. Despite the loss of Carlos Boozer under very dubious circumstances, James teamed with Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to form the core of the Cavs team. After a promising start when the team seemed to be locked firmly into the Eastern Conference's 5th playoff spot, the Cavs began a downward spiral that eventually led to the firing of coach Paul Silas and general manager Jim Paxson. The Cavs failed to make the playoffs that year, tied with the resurgent New Jersey Nets for the eighth (and final) playoff spot (the Nets owned the tiebreaker over the Cavs).
The 2005 offseason was one of many changes for the Cavaliers. The team hired a new coach, Mike Brown, and a new general manager, former Cavaliers forward Danny Ferry. The team also signed free agents Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones (four-year, $16 million for Damon) to multi-year contracts. Along with new owner Dan Gilbert, the Cavaliers' front office consists of individuals new to their respective positions. Despite the relative inexperience of many of these newcomers, the franchise sees great hope in rising star LeBron James, whom many have compared to all-time great Michael Jordan.
The Cavs are the oldest team in the NBA never to have been in the NBA Finals.
In March, the Cavaliers clinched their first playoff appearance since the 1997-98 season. They wound up receiving the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference and faced the Washington Wizards in the first round. After the two teams split the first two games in Cleveland, LeBron James scored a game-winning basket with 5.7 seconds remaining in game 3. The Wizards then won game 4 to tie the series. With the series back in Cleveland, the Cavs emerged victorious in the fifth game, 121-120 in an exciting overtime contest that saw LeBron James hit the game winning shot with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Game 6 also went to overtime, on a Gilbert Arenas three-point shot at the end of regulation to tie the score. In the extra session, however, Damon Jones nailed a long jumper in the final seconds to clinch the game for the Cavs - advancing them into the second round for the first time in 13 years.
In the second round, the Cavs lost the first two games to the Detroit Pistons, but then won the next three, including one at the Palace of Auburn Hills (producing the Pistons' only three game losing streak of the season). However, they lost a close Game 6 at home and then fell to Detroit, 79-61, in game 7. This game produced two records of futility for the Cleveland organization. First, they earned the record for least points scored in a Game 7, and secondly, they tied the record for least points scored in a half with 23.
The two playoff rounds were a showcase for the emergence of LeBron James, which he has achieved many "youngest ever to...." records considering his age (21). More importantly, it marks the rebirth of a once stagnant basketball franchise.
[edit] Season-by-season records
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Percentage
| Season | W | L | % | Playoffs | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970-71 | 15 | 67 | .183 | ||
| 1971-72 | 23 | 59 | .280 | ||
| 1972-73 | 32 | 50 | .390 | ||
| 1973-74 | 29 | 53 | .354 | ||
| 1974-75 | 40 | 42 | .488 | ||
| 1975-76 | 49 | 33 | .598 | Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals | Cleveland 4, Washington 3 Boston 4, Cleveland 2 |
| 1976-77 | 43 | 39 | .524 | Lost First Round | Washington 2, Cleveland 1 |
| 1977-78 | 43 | 39 | .524 | Lost First Round | New York 2, Cleveland 0 |
| 1978-79 | 30 | 52 | .366 | ||
| 1979-80 | 37 | 45 | .451 | ||
| 1980-81 | 28 | 54 | .341 | ||
| 1981-82 | 15 | 67 | .183 | ||
| 1982-83 | 23 | 59 | .280 | ||
| 1983-84 | 28 | 54 | .341 | ||
| 1984-85 | 36 | 46 | .439 | Lost First Round | Boston 3, Cleveland 1 |
| 1985-86 | 29 | 53 | .354 | ||
| 1986-87 | 31 | 51 | .378 | ||
| 1987-88 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lost First Round | Chicago 3, Cleveland 2 |
| 1988-89 | 57 | 25 | .695 | Lost First Round | Chicago 3, Cleveland 2 |
| 1989-90 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Lost First Round | Philadelphia 3, Cleveland 2 |
| 1990-91 | 33 | 49 | .402 | ||
| 1991-92 | 57 | 25 | .695 | Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals | Cleveland 3, New Jersey 2 Cleveland 4, Boston 3 Chicago 4, Cleveland 2 |
| 1992-93 | 54 | 28 | .659 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals | Cleveland 3, New Jersey 2 Chicago 4, Cleveland 0 |
| 1993-94 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Lost First Round | Chicago 3, Cleveland 0 |
| 1994-95 | 43 | 39 | .524 | Lost First Round | New York 3, Cleveland 1 |
| 1995-96 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Lost First Round | New York 3, Cleveland 0 |
| 1996-97 | 42 | 40 | .512 | ||
| 1997-98 | 47 | 35 | .573 | Lost First Round | Indiana 3, Cleveland 1 |
| 1998-99 | 22 | 28 | .440 | ||
| 1999-2000 | 32 | 50 | .390 | ||
| 2000-01 | 30 | 52 | .366 | ||
| 2001-02 | 29 | 53 | .354 | ||
| 2002-03 | 17 | 65 | .207 | ||
| 2003-04 | 35 | 47 | .427 | ||
| 2004-05 | 42 | 40 | .512 | ||
| 2005-06 | 50 | 32 | .610 | Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals | Cleveland 4, Washington 2 Detroit 4, Cleveland 3 |
| Totals | 1299 | 1621 | .445 | ||
| Playoffs | 35 | 55 | .389 |
Stats updated June 10, 2006
[edit] Uniform
[edit] Uniform History
The Sixers have perhaps had more uniform changes than any other team in the NBA, compared to teams such as the Lakers and the Celtics who have kept relatively the same uniform design since the start of their franchises.
Year
| Home /font></div>
| Away
|
| 1970-1981 | Yellow with red and white checkered outline and red Caviliers lettering. | Red with yellow and red checkered outline and yellow Caviliers lettering. |
| 1982-1993 | Blue jersey with | |
| 1966 | 1966-1970 | The Sixers went to the straightforward look during their first championship run. Simple block letters with the traditional "PHILA" on the front replaced the star-spangled banner look. |
| 1970 | 1970-1971 | This uniform was the most unpopular and hardest uniform to produce. |
| 1971 | 1971-1976 | SonderLevitt Advertising designed a uniform that had a much longer lifespan than its predecessor. With the new art deco-like lettering, the uniforms retained the star-inset blue side stripe, a graphic element that remained a feature through the 70’s. |
| 1977 | 1977-1978 | Lettering on the jersey was readjusted. |
| 1978 | 1978-1991 | This uniform becomes the Sixers “hallmark” look, the Sixers will win more games in this uniform than any other in the history of the franchise. |
| 1991 | 1991-1994 | The Sixers uniform was redesigned by Champion Products and was a departure from the classic Sixers uniform. The design featured multicolored stars against a royal blue field that curved up from shorts to the jersey. |
| 1994 | 1994-1997 | This uniform was actually a throwback to the classic Sixers look. Designed by Lucy Loeb, the front featured “SIXERS” in a more ornate block lettering |
| 1997 | 1997-2000 | The Sixers unveiled a completely new look including the first major logo change since becoming the Philadelphia 76ers in August of 1963. In keeping with the traditional red and blue, the logo was “modernized” by adding silver, gold and black. For the first time in franchise history, the Sixers wore black uniforms on the road. Trimmed in red and gold, the jersey that features the word “SIXERS” on the front with white numbers trimmed in red on the back |
| 2000 | 2000-present | The Sixers made a few changes in their uniforms in there NBA Finals season. They removed the gold off the "SIXERS" logo and made it black with red drop shadow trim on there white uniforms. And on there black uniforms they put the red trim around the "SIXERS" logo. |
- 1970-1982 - Home - Yellow home and with white and red checkered outline and Red Cursive Caviliers across, Away- Red home and with white and yellow checkered outline and yellow Cursive Caviliers across
- 1982-1993 - home-White jersey with Blue and Orange Cavs across, Away -Blue with orange Cleveland acrosss.
- 1994-2003 - Home-White with Blue Cavs and blue outline, Away Black with Blue Cleveland across.
- 2003-present - Home White with red cursive Caviliers across and white stripe down sides, Away - Red with white cursive Caviliers across and red stripe down sides.
[edit] Players of note
[edit] Basketball Hall of Famers:
- Wayne Embry (Former team president and first African American to serve in that role in the NBA; inducted as a contributor.)
- Nate Thurmond
- Lenny Wilkens (Inducted as both player and coach.)
[edit] Not to be forgotten:
- Terrell Brandon
- Jim Chones
- Brad Daugherty
- Craig Ehlo
- Danny Ferry
- World B. Free
- Ron Harper
- Tyrone Hill
- John Johnson
- Shawn Kemp
- Steve Kerr
- Andre Miller
- Larry Nance
- Wesley Person
- Bobby Phills
- Mark Price
- Campy Russell
- Bob Sura
- John "Hot Rod" Williams
[edit] Retired numbers:
- 7 Bingo Smith, F, 1970-79
- 22 Larry Nance, F, 1988-94
- 25 Mark Price, G, 1986-95
- 34 Austin Carr, G, 1971-80
- 42 Nate Thurmond, C, 1975-77
- 43 Brad Daugherty, C, 1986-94
[edit] Current roster
[edit] Coaches and others
[edit] Coaches
- Bill Fitch 1970-1979
- Stan Albeck 1979-1980
- Bill Musselman 1980-1981
- Don Delaney 1980-1982
- Bob Kloppenburg 1981-1982
- Chuck Daly 1981-1982
- Bill Musselman 1981-1982
- Tom Nissalke 1982-1984
- George Karl 1984-1986
- Gene Littles 1985-1986
- Lenny Wilkens 1986-1993
- Mike Fratello 1993-1999
- Randy Wittman 1999-2001
- John Lucas 2001-2003
- Keith Smart 2002-2003
- Paul Silas 2003-2005
- Brendan Malone 2004-2005
- Mike Brown 2005-Present
[edit] Media
[edit] Radio
WTAM (AM 1100) in Cleveland is the flagship station of a 16 station Cavaliers radio network [1]. Veteran broadcaster Joe Tait has served as the team's radio play-by-play announcer since its inception in 1970, with a brief break away from the team in the period when it was owned by Ted Stepien. Tait is considered one of the prominent announcers in professional sports.
[edit] Television
The Cavaliers' TV games air on cable and satellite on Fox Sports Net Ohio, and also on WUAB (Channel 43) in Cleveland, the flagship of TV for sports in Cleveland.
Starting in 2006, play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod and analyst Scott Williams, a former Cavaliers player, will handle local TV commentary. McLeod has been named as a replacement for long-time Cavs TV analyst Michael Reghi. Cavs legend Austin Carr is an analyst for games on WUAB.
[edit] External links
- Cleveland Cavaliers official web site
- Basketball-Reference.com: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland Cavaliers InsideHoops.com coverage
- Cleveland Cavaliers Historical web site
- Sports E-Cyclopedia
- Cleveland Cavaliers Discussion Forums
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