Can LeBron, Cavaliers Lift the "Cleveland Curse?"

For as long as I can remember, I've been hearing about this "Cleveland Curse." What exactly is it and can it be lifted?

Let's start off with Chief Wahoo and the Cleveland Indians. The team was their best from 1995 through 2001, where they won their division five times and the AL Pennant twice. Even though they've had their contending years, they haven't won a World Series since 1948.

Since 2001, the Tribe has made the playoffs once (won the division in 2007). Some say curse, some blow it off like it's nothing. The only upside about the Indians' championship drought is the Chicago Cubs' drought is a lot longer.

The Indians could be contenders this upcoming season. Nobody is a standout in their division so it's anybodies as of now (even though I do favor the Twins to win the division and the AL East to win the wild card).

So could it be a curse?

Next comes the oh-so-lovable Kardiac Kids. The last championship the Browns won was the NFL championship in 1964 against the Baltimore Colts. Since then, no professional Cleveland sports team (meaning MLB, NBA, and NFL) has won a championship.

Many of Browns fan are still haunted by John Elway and "The Drive" that occurred in the 1987 AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos. A very memorable heart-breaker for Cleveland fans. 98 yards in five minutes and two seconds is pretty impressive, especially in the playoffs.

Since the invention of the Superbowl, the Browns haven't won a championship nor have they made it to the event. It doesn't look like they will contend for years either. A lot of thanks for that can go to the Denver Broncos for beating the Browns in the AFC Championship game three times (1986, '87, and '89). 

Do you believe in curses yet?

Next comes the Cavaliers. They started out as an expansion tem in 1970. The team saw some success in its first 10 years with the "Miracle of Richfield," until the "Stepien Years" hit.

Ted Stepien, a Nationwide Advertising magnate bought the team from Joe Zingale, who had just bought the team the same year from Nick Mileti.

Stepien's years weren't so nice to the Cavs. His years were so bad that the NBA created the "Ted Stepien Rule," which prohibits NBA teams from trading first round picks in consecutive years. Also during his time, the Cavs lost 24 straight games, the all-time longest losing streak in the NBA.

When the Gund brothers (George and Gordon) bought the franchise in 1983, it led to hope for the team. They changed the wine and gold colors to burnt orange, red and navy blue.

Their big accomplishments were drafting/trading for Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper, and Larry Nance. The combination of these players would lead to eight playoff appearances in nine seasons.

Another memorable moment in Cleveland history is "The Shot" which occurred in 1989. NBA superstar Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls drained a buzzer-beater to beat the Cavs in the series 3-2.

From then, the Cavs made occasional playoff appearances but never made it too far. Until LeBron James...Along with James came the return of the wine and gold team colors.

James was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. He would win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in '03.

When James first showed up, the team wasn't all too great. Their poor performance would lead to the firing of coach Paul Silas and general manager Jim Paxson after the '04-'05 season.

Under new owner Dan Gilbert, replacements hired were new head coach Mike Brown and new general manager, former Cavaliers forward Danny Ferry. Since the two were hired, the Cavs made the playoffs in '06, '07, '08, and they just recently clinched a spot in the 2009 playoffs.

The Cavs made it to the NBA Finals in the 2006-'07 season. Although they were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in four games, at least they can say they made it.

A big mark since the "LeBron James Era" started was the 11-player, three-team trade that occurred 2007-08. It consisted of the Cavaliers, Seattle Supersonics, and the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavs traded Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Ira Newble for Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith, and Delonte West. This trade has created a solid core for the Cavs, and is a big reason for their recent success.

After the '07-'08 season, the Cavs traded Damon Jones and recently acquired Joe Smith for Maurice "Mo" Williams. Williams solidified the guard positions opposite West and has also benefited the Cavs' recent success.

Now to why Cleveland Cavaliers could lift the "Cleveland Curse."

The Cavs currently hold the number one record in the NBA (59-13). The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics are both currently 5.0 games behind the Cavs. The Western Conference record leader is the currently the L.A. Lakers and they are 1.0 games behind the Cavs.

The Cavaliers have won 11 straight games and haven't shown any signs of slowing down. They are pushing for home-court advantage and with the current home record of 34-1, it could lead to Cleveland's first championship in 44 years.

Since it looks like the Cavs have clinched the first seed, they won't have to face both the Magic and Celtics, their two biggest Eastern Conference threats. It's likely that they will face one another or not at all. Either way, one will be eliminated by the time they face the Cavs.

The L.A. Lakers are the Cavs' biggest threat (saying they make it to the NBA Finals). The Lakers are the Cavs' only home loss all season and are 2-0 against Cleveland this season. With Cleveland leading for home-court advantage, it should be interesting.

So is it a curse or not? If so, will the Cavaliers winning the NBA Finals lift it?

If the Cavs were to win the NBA Finals, it would lift the curse. Cleveland Sports fans would have hope, knowing their teams can actually win a championship. Not to mention LeBron wouldn't leave C-town with a 'ship under his belt.

They Cavs are building a dynasty so they can be good for years to come. The Indians are possible contenders, especially with their highly-ranked prospects waiting in the wings. The Browns are rebuilding and will come around eventually.

Lifting the curse now could set Cleveland up for the next couple years...Saying that there is such a curse at all.