History of the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the NBA's most resilient franchises. Since joining the league as an expansion team in 1970, the Cavaliers have experienced dramatic highs and lows, from years of rebuilding to championship contention. The franchise is best known for the arrival of LeBron James, whose extraordinary career transformed the Cavaliers into perennial contenders and delivered Cleveland's first major professional sports championship in more than five decades. Today, the Cavaliers remain one of the Eastern Conference's premier teams, building on a legacy defined by perseverance, legendary players, and one unforgettable championship.

The NBA Returns to Cleveland

Professional basketball returned to Cleveland in 1970 when the NBA awarded the city an expansion franchise alongside the Portland Trail Blazers, Buffalo Braves, and Cleveland became one of the league's newest teams.

The team's name was selected through a newspaper contest. "Cavaliers" was chosen because it represented fearless, daring individuals who never surrendered.

Businessman Nick Mileti became the franchise's first owner.

The Cavaliers played their inaugural season at the Cleveland Arena before moving into the brand-new Richfield Coliseum in 1974.

The expansion Cavaliers struggled during their early years, winning only 15 games during their inaugural 1970–71 season.

Building Through the Draft

Despite difficult beginnings, Cleveland gradually assembled a competitive roster through the NBA Draft.

Early stars included:

• Austin Carr
• Bingo Smith
• Jim Chones
• Campy Russell
• Foots Walker

Austin Carr, selected first overall in the 1971 NBA Draft, became one of the franchise's earliest stars despite suffering numerous injuries throughout his career.

The Miracle of Richfield

The Cavaliers became one of the NBA's surprise success stories during the 1975–76 season.

Under head coach Bill Fitch, Cleveland finished 49–33, winning its first division championship.

Nicknamed the "Miracle of Richfield," the Cavaliers defeated the Washington Bullets in an unforgettable seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

Although injuries caught up with the team in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, Cleveland had become one of the league's emerging franchises.

The Miracle of Richfield remains one of the most beloved seasons in Cavaliers history.

Difficult Years

Following the success of the mid-1970s, Cleveland struggled for much of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Frequent coaching changes, ownership instability, and questionable personnel decisions prevented the franchise from building sustained success.

One of the most infamous moments occurred when owner Ted Stepien traded away numerous future first-round draft picks.

These trades were so damaging that the NBA eventually created the "Stepien Rule," preventing teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive future drafts.

The rule remains in effect today.

The Mark Price Era

Hope returned during the late 1980s when General Manager Wayne Embry assembled one of the NBA's deepest young rosters.

Key players included:

• Mark Price
• Brad Daugherty
• Larry Nance
• Ron Harper
• Craig Ehlo
• Hot Rod Williams

Under head coach Lenny Wilkens, Cleveland became one of the Eastern Conference's strongest teams, regularly winning over 50 games.

"The Shot"

Despite their success, the Cavaliers repeatedly encountered one obstacle: Michael Jordan.

During the 1989 NBA Playoffs, Jordan's buzzer-beating jumper over Craig Ehlo eliminated Cleveland in Game 5 of the opening round.

The basket became known simply as "The Shot" and remains one of the defining moments in NBA history.

Brad Daugherty and Mark Price Lead the Franchise

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Brad Daugherty developed into one of the NBA's premier centers while Mark Price became one of basketball's greatest shooting point guards.

Unfortunately, injuries shortened the careers of both players and prevented Cleveland from reaching the NBA Finals.

Rebuilding Once Again

The Cavaliers entered another rebuilding phase during the late 1990s.

Key players included:

• Terrell Brandon
• Shawn Kemp
• Zydrunas Ilgauskas
• Andre Miller

Everything changed in 2003.

LeBron James Arrives

The Cavaliers won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery and selected Akron native LeBron James with the first overall pick.

James immediately exceeded expectations, winning the 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

First NBA Finals Appearance

As LeBron matured, Cleveland rapidly improved.

Key teammates included:

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas
• Drew Gooden
• Larry Hughes
• Anderson Varejão

During the 2006–07 season, James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance.

Although they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland had officially become a championship contender.

MVP Seasons

LeBron James won consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2009 and 2010.

The Cavaliers posted the NBA's best regular-season record both years but fell short in the playoffs.

"The Decision"

In the summer of 2010, LeBron James announced he would join the Miami Heat during the nationally televised special known as "The Decision."

The Cavaliers entered another rebuilding period, drafting young players including:

• Kyrie Irving
• Tristan Thompson
• Dion Waiters

Kyrie Irving won the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

LeBron Returns

In 2014, LeBron James announced that he was returning to Cleveland, famously stating:

"I'm coming home."

The Cavaliers quickly became championship favorites after adding:

• Kevin Love
• J.R. Smith
• Iman Shumpert
• Timofey Mozgov

The 2016 Championship

After losing the 2015 NBA Finals, Cleveland returned in 2016 to face the record-setting 73-win Golden State Warriors.

Facing a 3–1 series deficit, the Cavaliers won three consecutive games to capture the franchise's first NBA championship.

Game 7 featured three unforgettable moments:

• LeBron James' chasedown block on Andre Iguodala
• Kyrie Irving's game-winning three-pointer
• Kevin Love's defensive stop against Stephen Curry

The Cavaliers won 93–89, ending Cleveland's 52-year championship drought. LeBron James was unanimously named NBA Finals MVP.

Four Straight NBA Finals

From 2015 through 2018, Cleveland reached four consecutive NBA Finals, establishing itself as one of the NBA's elite franchises.

Another Rebuild

After LeBron departed for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, Cleveland focused on developing young talent including:

• Collin Sexton
• Darius Garland
• Isaac Okoro
• Evan Mobley

The Donovan Mitchell Era

In 2022, Cleveland acquired All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, pairing him with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen to form one of the NBA's brightest young cores.

Home Arenas

Cleveland Cavaliers Timeline

Franchise Greats

• LeBron James
• Mark Price
• Brad Daugherty
• Kyrie Irving
• Zydrunas Ilgauskas
• Austin Carr
• Larry Nance
• Kevin Love
• Anderson Varejão
• Donovan Mitchell
• Darius Garland
• Evan Mobley
• Jarrett Allen

Notable Coaches

• Bill Fitch
• Lenny Wilkens
• Mike Fratello
• Mike Brown
• David Blatt
• Tyronn Lue
• J.B. Bickerstaff
• Kenny Atkinson

Legacy

The Cleveland Cavaliers have built one of the NBA's most inspiring stories through perseverance, resilience, and redemption. From the Miracle of Richfield and the heartbreak of "The Shot" and "The Decision" to the unforgettable 2016 NBA Championship, the franchise has experienced every emotion imaginable.

Led by LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, the Cavaliers completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports history by overcoming a 3–1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors to bring Cleveland its first NBA championship.

Today, the Cavaliers continue building toward another championship behind a talented young core, ensuring that one of the NBA's proudest franchises remains among the league's brightest contenders.