Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team: History, Roster, Schedule, and More

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the Eastern Conference Central Division. The Cavaliers were founded in 1970 and have made the playoffs 22 times in their history.

The Cavaliers have won one NBA championship, in 2016. They are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, having made the playoffs more times than any other team that has never won a championship.

  • Team Name: Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Short Name: Cavs
  • Team Owner(s): Dan Gilbert
  • Prominent Players:
    • Darius Garland
    • Evan Mobley
    • Jarrett Allen
    • Lauri Markkanen
    • Collin Sexton

The Cavaliers are currently led by Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Lauri Markkanen, and Collin Sexton. Garland is a three-time All-Star and one of the most promising young point guards in the NBA. Mobley is a rookie who was named to the All-Rookie First Team. Allen is a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection. Markkanen is a stretch four who can score from long range. Sexton is a scoring guard who can take over games.

The Cavaliers are hoping to build on their recent success and make a run at the NBA championship in 2023. They have a talented team, and they have made some good moves in the offseason. If they can stay healthy and play together, they have the potential to be a very good team.

History about Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team

  • The Cleveland Cavaliers were founded in 1970 as an expansion team
  • The team’s first home arena was the Richfield Coliseum.
  • The Cavaliers’ first head coach was Bill Fitch.
  • The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time in 1976.
  • The Cavaliers made their first NBA Finals appearance in 1978, but they lost to the Washington Bullets.
  • The Cavaliers drafted Brad Daugherty with the first overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft.
  • The Cavaliers drafted LeBron James with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.
  • The Cavaliers won their first NBA championship in 2016, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.

Here are some of the team’s most notable moments in history year wise:

  • 1970: The Cleveland Cavaliers are founded as an expansion team.
  • 1975: The Cavaliers draft Austin Carr with the first overall pick in the NBA draft. Carr would go on to become the team’s all-time leading scorer.
  • 1976: The Cavaliers make the playoffs for the first time in their history.
  • 1978: The Cavaliers make their first NBA Finals appearance, but they lose to the Washington Bullets.
  • 1986: The Cavaliers draft Brad Daugherty with the first overall pick in the NBA draft. Daugherty would go on to become one of the best centers in franchise history.
  • 1992: The Cavaliers draft Larry Nance with the first overall pick in the NBA draft. Nance would go on to become a two-time All-Star.
  • 1993: The Cavaliers draft Chris Webber with the first overall pick in the NBA draft. However, Webber refused to play for the Cavaliers and was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
  • 2003: The Cavaliers draft LeBron James with the first overall pick in the NBA draft. James would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
  • 2007: The Cavaliers make the NBA Finals for the first time in 15 years, but they lose to the San Antonio Spurs.
  • 2010: The Cavaliers make the NBA Finals for the second time in four years, but they lose to the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • 2014: The Cavaliers trade for Kevin Love. Love would go on to become a two-time All-Star with the Cavaliers.
  • 2015: The Cavaliers make the NBA Finals for the third time in five years, but they lose to the Golden State Warriors.
  • 2016: The Cavaliers win their first NBA championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team with a rich history. They have made the playoffs more times than any other team that has never won a championship. They also have one NBA championship, which they won in 2016. The Cavaliers are a team with a bright future, and they are hoping to add to their championship total in the years to come.

Coaching Staff Information about Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team

Head Coach:

  •  J.B. Bickerstaff

Bickerstaff has been the Cavaliers’ head coach since 2020.He previously served as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Wizards. Bickerstaff is a defensive-minded coach who emphasizes team play and ball movement.

Assistant Coaches:

  • Mike Longabardi

Longabardi has been an assistant coach for the Cavaliers since 2013. He previously served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Charlotte Bobcats. Longabardi is a player development coach who works with the team’s young players.

  • Kenny Atkinson

Atkinson was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Charlotte Bobcats. Atkinson is an offensive-minded coach who emphasizes player movement and shooting.

  • Antonio Lang

Lang has been an assistant coach for the Cavaliers since 2021. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. Lang is a player development coach who works with the team’s big men.

  • Wes Unseld Jr.

Unseld Jr. was the head coach of the Washington Wizards from 2020 to 2021. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, and Golden State Warriors. Unseld Jr. is a defensive-minded coach who emphasizes team play and ball movement.

Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team information about players

PlayerNumberPositionHeightWeightDraft YearOverall Rating
Darius Garland1Point Guard6’1″190 lbs201787.0
Evan Mobley3Power Forward/Center7’0″215 lbs202085.0
Jarrett Allen5Center7’0″245 lbs201782.0
Lauri Markkanen24Power Forward7’0″240 lbs201779.0
Collin Sexton2Shooting Guard6’1″190 lbs201777.0
Isaac Okoro50Small Forward6’6″220 lbs201976.0
Ochai Agbaji14Shooting Guard6’5″210 lbs202275.0
Kevin Love4Power Forward6’10”225 lbs200383.0
Rajon Rondo9Point Guard6’1″190 lbs200072.0

Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team’s last 10 years of records

SeasonWinsLosses
2021-20224438
2020-20212250
2019-20205032
2018-20191963
2017-20184240
2016-20175131
2015-20165725
2014-20153349
2013-20143349

The Cavaliers have had a mixed bag of results in recent years. They made the playoffs in 2015, 2016, and 2018, but they have not won a playoff series since 2018. They are hoping to turn things around in the upcoming season with a young and talented roster.

Season Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team

The Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping to build on their recent success and make a run at the playoffs in 2023. They have a young and talented roster, led by Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Garland is a three-time All-Star and one of the most promising young point guards in the NBA. Mobley is a rookie who was named to the All-Rookie First Team. Allen is a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection.

The Cavaliers also have some other talented players, such as Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, and Ochai Agbaji. If they can stay healthy and play together, they have the potential to be a very good team.

Major changes to the roster:

  • The Cavaliers traded for Kevin Love, who is a two-time All-Star.
  • The Cavaliers signed Rajon Rondo, who is a four-time NBA champion.
  • The Cavaliers drafted Ochai Agbaji, who is a consensus All-American.

Team’s strengths:

The Cavaliers’ strengths are their young talent, their depth, and their defense. Garland, Mobley, and Allen are all young players who have the potential to be stars. The Cavaliers also have a lot of depth, with players like Markkanen, Sexton, Okoro, and Agbaji. And the Cavaliers have a good defense, led by Allen and Markkanen.

Team’s weaknesses:

The Cavaliers’ weaknesses are their lack of experience and their inconsistent shooting. Garland, Mobley, and Allen are all young players who have not yet won a playoff series. And the Cavaliers have a tendency to go cold from the field at times.

Potential challenges they may face:

The Cavaliers will face some challenges in the upcoming season. The Eastern Conference is very competitive, and there are several teams that are expected to be better than the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will also have to deal with the expectations that come with being a playoff contender.

Overall, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of potential in the upcoming season. They have a young and talented roster, and they have made some good moves in the offseason. If they can stay healthy and play together, they have the potential to be a very good team.

Upcoming games:

DateOpponentTime (ET)
October 20Oklahoma City Thunder7:00 PM
October 22Houston Rockets7:00 PM
October 24Memphis Grizzlies8:00 PM
October 26Oklahoma City Thunder7:00 PM
October 28San Antonio Spurs8:00 PM
October 30Dallas Mavericks7:30 PM
November 1Los Angeles Clippers10:00 PM
November 3Utah Jazz7:00 PM
November 5Minnesota Timberwolves8:00 PM

FAQs about the Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball team

What are the Cavaliers’ biggest strengths?

Their young talent, their depth, and their defense. Garland, Mobley, and Allen are all young players who have the potential to be stars. The Cavaliers also have a lot of depth, with players like Markkanen, Sexton, Okoro, and Agbaji. And the Cavaliers have a good defense, led by Allen and Markkanen.

What are the Cavaliers’ biggest weaknesses?

Their lack of experience and their inconsistent shooting. Garland, Mobley, and Allen are all young players who have not yet won a playoff series. And the Cavaliers have a tendency to go cold from the field at times.

Who are the Cavaliers’ biggest rivals?

The Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers, and the Toronto Raptors. The Cavaliers have a long-standing rivalry with the Pistons and the Pacers, and they have also had some recent success against the Raptors.

What are the Cavaliers’ most famous players?

LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love. James is a four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion. Irving is a two-time All-Star and a champion. Love is a two-time All-Star and a champion.

Where can I watch the Cavaliers play?

The Cavaliers play their home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. You can also watch the Cavaliers play on TV or online.

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