1970: The Cleveland Cavaliers play their first ever game as an official NBA team.
1976: Led by “Mr. Cavalier” himself Austin Carr, the Cleveland Cavaliers get their first taste of the playoffs. The Cavaliers faced and beat the Washington Bullets 4-3 in the first round. The Cavaliers go on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals 2-4.
1989: After finishing the season second in the east with a 57-25 record, the Cavaliers would face the juggernaut team of Micheal Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. With the series tied 2-2 and the Cavaliers holding a 100-99 lead in the final seconds of game 5, the Cavaliers looked poised to win. However, Micheal Jordan would end up making one of the most famous shots in playoff history, “The Shot”, over Craig Elho to give Chicago the series win.
1992: After injury plagued seasons and losing records, the Cavaliers would finally return to form by winning their first playoff series in 16 years against the New Jersey Nets. The Cavaliers would make it to the Eastern Conference Finals only to lose to the eventual champions, the Chicago Bulls.
2003: After a horrendous season of 17-65, the Cleveland Cavaliers were give the highest odds to receive the first overall draft pick in the NBA draft. This pick would eventually become the hometown hero of Lebron James, who would be the key piece to future Cavalier playoff runs.
2007: With his first taste of the NBA playoffs the year before, Lebron James was determined to take the Cavaliers deeper into the playoffs. With impressive series wins over the Washington Wizards, the New Jersey Nets, and the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers had finally made it to their first ever Finals appearance. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers would be swept by the San Antonio Spurs 0-4.
2015: The Cleveland Cavaliers make it to their second appearance in the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers would be matched up against a three point shooting juggernaut team in the Golden State Warriors. With key injuries to stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Warriors were too much to handle for Lebron James, losing 2-4.
2016: Revenge was in their eyes as the Cleveland Cavaliers would have their NBA Finals rematch with the Golden State Warriors. Determined to keep his promise to the city of Cleveland and bring them home a championship, Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers would comeback from a 3-1 deficit to bring the franchise its first ever championship.
2017: Playoffs have begun and the Cavaliers currently hold a 2-0 lead against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs. After winning their first ever championship, will the Cleveland Cavaliers be able to bring home a second championship?