Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 10 Moments in Franchise History

Don’t worry, the only shot you’ll see of Michael Jordan in this article will be one of him guarding Ron Harper. 

While still looking for their first NBA Championship, the Cavaliers fans have experienced instances where they are sitting on top of the world. Although winning has come in waves, hope has remained constant. Fans can take solace in the fact that dreadful seasons have often been followed by calculated moves made to forward the team’s progress. 

From the moments that made you jump out of your seat, to those where you can be proud of your support for Cleveland, here are the Top 10 Moments in Franchise History.

10. Receiving the No. 1 and No. 4 Picks in the 2011 NBA Draft

Needing to provide a reason to look forward to the next year’s team, Cavaliers’ General Manager Chris Grant made a move of desperation by trading away Mo Williams and Jamario Moon for Baron Davis (with his excessive contract) and the Clippers’ first round pick in 2011. Considering the Cavaliers’ 19-63 record and the Clippers’ 32-50 record, Cavaliers fans had a reason to be optimistic leading into the 2011NBA Draft Lottery. 

What occurred on that fateful Thursday night was the best possible outcome for the future of the Cavaliers. Nick Gilbert, son of Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert, provided some much-needed luck in order to secure the first and fourth picks. Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson were selected in the 2011 NBA Draft, providing hope that the Cavaliers’ return to prominence would be shorter than expected.

9. LeBron James’ Buzzer Beater Against Magic to Win Game 2

To simply quote one of the YouTube clip’s commenter's, it was “a finish to remember, a legacy to forget.”

8. Decision Fallout: Cleveland Stands United

The darkest hour for Cavaliers fans was also a moment of strength and unity, led by Dan Gilbert’s open letter to the Cleveland Fans. The statements made by Gilbert embodied all of the feelings held by an angry Northeastern Ohio, reassuring fans that the Cavaliers’ direction still pointed towards a championship in the midst of the “cowardly betrayal.” 

Cleveland fans were sadly the only ones that showed up for the first home game against the Heat on December 2, 2010. With an incredibly hostile and playoff type atmosphere, fans chanted “Akron Hates You”, “De-lon-te” and various vulgarities. The city of Cleveland showed that LeBron was not welcome in his former place of employment. The Cavaliers’ players decided to show up for the second home game matchup by defeating the Heat 102-90. The greatest satisfaction stemmed from LeBron and the Heat’s failure to win a promised championship, leaving “Mavalier” fans across Ohio celebrating the King’s demise.

7. The 1986 Offseason Transactions

The 1986 offseason is proof that a team can be built from the NBA Draft. The Cavaliers’ entered the draft with the No. 8 and No. 29 picks, along with picks in rounds three and seven. The Cavaliers’ draft day was their busiest in team history, stealing the No. 1 pick from the 76ers by trading away Roy Hinson in order to select Brad Daugherty, and acquiring second round pick Mark Price for a future second rounder. General Manager Wayne Embry also selected fellow Miami University standout Ron Harper with the eighth pick to close out an incredible draft. 

Cleveland was not finished following the draft, inking coach Lenny Wilkens to a multi-year deal to give Wilkens a “chance to guide younger players and build a contender.” Those aspirations became reality, as the Cavaliers reached the playoffs in five of the next seven seasons.

6. Gordon Gund Purchases the Cavs

Ted Stepien made his bid for worst owner in franchise history after a series of moves that left fans in Cleveland questioning their alliance with the Cavaliers. From a possible move to Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or Toronto. Then four coaches in a single season trading away a No. 1 pick (turned out to be James Worthy) for journeyman Don Ford, to replacing Joe Tait, Cavaliers fans were begging for a change. 

Gordon Gund was the saving grace for Cavaliers fans, purchasing the team for $20 million in 1983. They flourished under Gund’s ownership, reaching the playoffs in 10 of the next 15 years, and moving from the Richfield Coliseum to Gund Arena in downtown Cleveland (now Quicken Loans Arena).

5. Winning the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery

Cavaliers fans knew what was at stake leading into the 2003 Draft Lottery. Akron’s former favorite son, LeBron James, was the key to unlimited success, the next Michael Jordan, a player who could rehabilitate any struggling team. After five years of sub .500 seasons, the team was desperate for a superstar, fans congregating at bars and at home to see if something could go right for the struggling franchise. 

The ping pong balls bounced the right way that night, and Cavaliers fans celebrated like they had won an NBA title. James helped the Cavaliers return to their winning ways, making the playoffs in five of the next seven years.

4. 65th Win Against Boston Towards End of 2008-09 Regular Season

The Cavaliers did everything right in the 2008-09 regular season, winning 66 games, tied for tenth all-time, and a franchise record. The season was also notable for the team’s 13 game winning streak and for winning the second most games at home in NBA history. 

The most satisfying game was a 107-86 win against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers in the previous year’s playoffs, but the victory signified a possible pathway to the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers represented a multi-faceted team, not just a one-man show, leaving their mark as one of the great teams in NBA history.

3. Cavaliers Beat Bird, McHale, and Parish in 92’ Playoffs

The great Celtics of the 1980’s might have been on their last leg, but Boston still held the No. 2 seed, going into the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Cleveland. The Cavaliers and Celtics needed seven games to declare a winner, including Larry Bird’s final game. 

Cleveland had their own trio of Mark Price, Larry Nance and Brad Daugherty that led the team to a win in the deciding seventh game held at the Richfield Coliseum. Daugherty played exceptionally well in the series, and led the team with 28 points in the series-clincher.

2. The Miracle of Richfield

Dick Snyder’s running right-handed layup sealed the 87-85 Cavalier victory, and an uncontrollable celebration by Cavaliers fans.  

The team’s first playoff appearance was a remarkable seven game series against the Washington Bullets. The 1975-76 team of Austin Carr, Jim Brewer, Jim Chones, Campy Russell, Bingo Smith and Nate Thurmond captivated Northeast Ohio in a way that had not been seen in the franchise’s short six year history.

1. Beating the Pistons to Reach the 2007 NBA Finals

Down two games to none in the 2007 NBA Playoffs, Cavaliers fans feared that the Pistons had their team’s number, resulting in the same outcome as the previous year’s playoff elimination to the Pistons. Pundits pointed to the slim chances of winning a series facing the multi-game deficit, but Cleveland showed resiliency to win the next four games. 

Game 6 might have gone down as one of the greatest performances in NBA history. LeBron James was unstoppable, scoring 48 points in a thrilling double overtime victory. The most satisfying moment came at the end of 48 minutes in Game 7, the Cavaliers had conquered the Eastern Conference for the franchise’s first (and only) NBA Finals trip.