NBA All-Time Losing Streak: The Cleveland Sports "Curse" Lives On

The Curse in Cleveland looks to be alive and well as the Cavaliers lost their 25^th straight game on Monday night, setting an NBA record for most consecutive losses.

Will this streak stand alone in the trophy case of Cleveland sports’ nightmares or just simply be considered an aftershock of what transpired over the summer. Time will tell.

If you are a Cleveland Sports fan you may not want to click any further. It may be hazardous to your health.

Here is a countdown of 10 of the worst moments in Cleveland Sports history over the past 50 years.

You will learn that in Cleveland, some wounds never heal.

10. "The Streak"

On Monday night, the Cavaliers set an all-time NBA record with their 25^th consecutive loss. The Cavs are now 8-44 on the season. Sharp turn-around for a team that finished 61-21 last year.

It would seem as though when Lebron sold his soul to the devil over the summer, the contract stipulated he could leave the curse in Cleveland.

9. "The Fumble"

January 17, 1988 – Mile High Stadium. AFC Championship game. Ernest Byner was having arguably the best game of his NFL career. He had 67 rushing yards, including a 16 yard touchdown on the ground. Byner also had 7 receptions for 120 yards and a 53 yard touchdown reception from Bernie Kosar. Then a black cloud was seen above Mile High Stadium.

With 1:12 left in the game, Ernest Byner fumbled on the Denver 2 yard line, just before crossing into the end zone. That touchdown and extra point would have tied the game for the Browns. Byner’s fumble was also the 4^th turnover off the day by the Browns. Denver would take a late safety and win the game 38-35.

8. 2007 ALCS

Oh how the future looked bright in Cleveland just 4 years ago. The Indians had the best record in baseball and just across the street the Cavs were showcasing one of the league’s best teams.

The 2007 ALCS showcased two of the best teams in all of baseball. Both the Red Sox and Indians tied for best record in the MLB going 96-66.

After 4 games the Tribe had a 3-1 series lead and were looking to close the series in Cleveland on the shoulders of Ace C.C. Sabathia. Instead, Boston would go on to win the series in seven games, the curse had struck again.

7. 1995 World Series

In 1995 the Cleveland Indians boasted a lineup with the likes of Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel and Orel Hershiser just to name a few.

Playing in front of sold-out crowds at newly opened Jacobs Field, the Tribe finished the season with a record of 100-44.

Even the “Bull-Dog” couldn’t shake the curse of Cleveland. The Indians would lose the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in 5 games. The Indians first World Series appearance since 1954.

6. "The Shot"

“Bulls Win…Bulls Win It!.” Growing up as a kid in Cleveland, if you wanted to get out of going to school, all you had to do was watch the clip of Michael Jordan’s buzzer-beater against the Cavs. It was sure to make you want to puke!

5. "Red Right 88"

Brian Sipe and the “Kardiac Kids” were treated like rock stars in Cleveland during the early ‘80s. Sipe was the league’s MVP. The Browns finished the season 11-5 and were matched up against the Raiders in the 1981 AFC Division game.

Oakland had a 14-12 lead with 42 seconds left in the game. It was 2^nd and -9, the Browns had the ball on the Oakland 13-yard line. Coach Sam Rutigliano called a pass play, "Red Right 88" and instructed Sipe to "throw it into Lake Erie" if the play was anything less than wide open. Oakland defensive back Mike Davis would pick-off Sipe’s pass attempt and the Raiders would go on to win Super Bowl XV.

4. "The Drive"

John Elway will always be a villainous character in the city of Cleveland. It was January 11, 1987 and the AFC Championship game was being played once again in Mile High Stadium. With just a little more than five minutes left to play, the Browns were up 20-13, had Denver pinned on their own 2 yard line.

“Scully, WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!”

Was heard by one Cleveland fan who made the long trip across the country with his childhood friend to realize a boyhood dream.

Then John Elway came along. The future NFL Hall of Famer would lead his team straight down the field, crushing the hopes and dreams of all Cleveland faithful yet again. The Broncos would go on to win the game 23-20 in overtime.

3. "The Betrayal"

July 8, 2010 will be a day that forever lives in infamy for the city of Cleveland. We thought we were “Witnessing” a Savior but were instead betrayed by Judas.

 Listen it wasn’t that he left. Sure that was a tough blow, but it was how he left. He spit in the faces of Clevelanders for all of the world to see. That is something that can never be forgiven. Lebron James became the NBA’s “Drama King”.

The “Decision” could go down as one of the darkest days in Cleveland Sports history. The effects linger to this day.

2. Game 7 of The 1997 World Series

The 1997 Fall Classic would mark the closest Cleveland would ever get to winning a Championship since 1964.

In Game 7, the Indians were two outs away from winning the World Series and ending the curse once and for all. They would go on to lose to the Florida Marlins in the bottom of the 11^th inning.

Cleveland fans were forced to witness yet another meltdown.

1. "The Move"

The Cleveland Browns had been the heart and soul of Cleveland for generations dating back to their legendary founder, Paul Brown. The Browns represent the gritty, blue-collar mentality of Cleveland and its sports fans.

On November 6^th, 1995 Art Modell announced that he would be relocating the team to Baltimore, a move that literally broke the hearts of all Cleveland Sports fans.

The Browns would return as an expansion franchise in 1999, but the wounds will never heal.