- 1970
- 1980
- 1983
- 2003
- 2010
- 2014
- 2016
-
Expansion in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers first began to play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team under the ownership of Nick Mileti. Playing their home games at Cleveland Arena under the direction of head coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15–67 record in their inaugural season. The team hoped to build around the number one 1971 draft pick Austin ... -
Ted Stepien Ownership
In 1980, after just a few months, Zingale sold the team to Nationwide Advertising magnate Ted Stepien on April 12, 1980. The new owner oversaw the hiring and firing of a succession of coaches and was involved in making a number of poor trade and free-agent signing decisions. The result of Stepien’s questionable trading acumen was the loss of several ... -
The Gunds Take Over
Though Stepien eventually threatened to move the franchise to Toronto and rename it the Toronto Towers, brothers George and Gordon Gund purchased the franchise in the mid-1980s and decided to keep the team in Cleveland. Shortly after purchasing the Cavaliers in 1983, the Gunds changed the team colors from wine and gold to burnt orange and navy blue. Furthermore, they ... -
The First LeBron James Era
Several losing seasons followed which saw the Cavaliers drop to the bottom of the league and become a perennial lottery draft team. After another disappointing season in 2002–03, the Cavaliers landed the number one draft pick in the NBA Lottery. With it, the team selected local high school phenomenon and future NBA MVP LeBron James. As if celebrating a new ... -
LeBron Leaves for Miami
With the Cavaliers out of the playoffs, the focus then turned to James’ impending free agency. On July 8, 2010, James announced in a nationally televised one-hour special titled The Decision on ESPN that he would be signing with the Miami Heat. The repercussions of this announcement left many in the city of Cleveland infuriated and feeling betrayed. A number ... -
The Return of King James
On June 25, 2014, James opted out of his contract with the Heat, officially becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1. On July 11, he revealed via a first-person essay in Sports Illustrated that he intended to rejoin the Cavaliers. In contrast to The Decision, his announcement to return to Cleveland was well received. On July 12, he officially ... -
NBA Finals Winner 2016
The 2016 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s 2015 – 2016 season. The tournament ended with the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers defeating the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. LeBron James was named NBA Finals MVP.
History of the Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team began to play as an expansion team in 1970, along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Buffalo Braves. Home games were first held at Cleveland Arena from 1970 to 1974, followed by the Richfield Coliseum from 1974 to 1994. Since 1994, the Cavs have played home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland, which is shared with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Dan Gilbert has owned the team since March 2005.
Established
1970
City
Cleveland
League History
1970 - Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
1970 - Present / Cleveland Cavaliers
Nickname
Cavaliers - Fans voted Cavaliers the team nickname in 1970 in a poll conducted by the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. The other suggested finalists included Jays, Foresters, Towers, and Presidents. The President's nickname was presumably to the fact that seven former U.S. Presidents were born in Ohio, second only to Virginia. Jerry Tomko, the father of future Major League Baseball pitcher Brett Tomko, is who suggested Cavaliers in the contest, wrote, "Cavaliers represent a group of daring fearless men, whose life pact was never surrendered, no matter what the odds."
Championship
NBA Championships 1
2016
Arena
2020 - Present / Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
2005 - 2019 / Quicken Loans Arena
1994 - 2004 / Gund Arena
1974 - 1994 / Coliseum at Richfield
1970 - 1974 / Cleveland Arena
Owner
2004 – Present / Dan Gilbert, Usher Raymond, Gordon Gund
1983 – 2004 / Gordon and George Gund III
1980 – 1983 / Ted Stepien
1979 – 1980 / Joe Zingale
1970 – 1979 / Nick Mileti
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
7 / Bobby “Bingo” Smith
11 / Žydrūnas Ilgauskas
22 / Larry Nance
25 / Mark Price
34 / Austin Carr
42 / Nate Thurmond
43 / Brad Daugherty
– / Joe Tait
*Blue is this team’s history