The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to fight for their first NBA crown

LeBron James, franchise player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has become a certified NBA All-Star. In 2007, James led the Cavs to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. However, did he know that prior to that year, the Cavaliers had reached the Conference Finals two previous years (1976, 1992) and had been Division Champions during the 1975-1976 season? While the Cavaliers recently achieved their greatest success in franchise history, they have in fact been making history since 1970.

Where did the Cavaliers name originate? The team named the Cavaliers as such after a team name contest that included approximately 11,000 entries. “Horsemen” defeated other team name finalists including:

or Ranger

or jays

or Presidents

A “knight” can refer to a knight trained in horsemanship and weapons; or a gentleman

The Cavaliers made their debut in the NBA during the 1970-1971 season. Unfortunately, the team faced challenges that other expansion teams never experienced. First of all, their first roster included several players that other teams had discarded. Also, the Cavs had to play their first seven games on the road, as the Ice Capades had made reservations at Cleveland Arena for that stretch. To make matters worse, the Cavaliers lost their first game 107-92 to the Buffalo Braves. It would be an understatement to say that the Cavs’ first season was unsuccessful. They finished the season with a 15-67 record.

However, the Cavaliers quickly and dramatically turned their fortunes around. During the 1975-1976 season, the Cavs went on multiple winning streaks and won their division, with a 49-33 record. This was quite a feat for a team playing in only its sixth season in the NBA. The Cavaliers picked up a big series win against the Washington Bullets, defeating them 87-85 in Game 7. The Cavaliers then battled the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost the series in six games.

The Cavaliers would return to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 1991-1992 season. Although their 57-25 regular season record was the best record in franchise history, the Cavs placed second in their division. The Cavaliers disposed of the New Jersey Nets in just four games and then faced the Boston Celtics, picking up the Game 7 victory, 122-104. However, the Cavaliers lost again in the Eastern Conference Finals, and were eliminated in six games by the Chicago Bulls.

More recently, the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, during the 2006-2007 season. The Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, finished the season with an impressive 50-32 record. In the playoffs, the Cavs easily defeated the Washington Wizards and then needed six games to eliminate the New Jersey Nets. This time, the Cavs won the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the Detroit Pistons in six games. However, the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cavs in the NBA Finals.

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers achieved their greatest success in 2007, on two other occasions they came within one series of the NBA Finals. Wear Cleveland Cavaliers merchandise to cheer on the team in their first NBA Finals!

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