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2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season

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2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Head coachPaul Silas
PresidentJim Paxson
General managerJim Paxson
Owners
ArenaGund Arena
Results
Record35–47 (.427)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Central)
Conference: 9th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Ohio · WUAB
RadioWTAM
< 2002–03 2004–05 >

The 2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] In the years following their 1998 first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers dropped to the bottom of the league and became a perennial entrant in the annual NBA draft lottery. The franchise's freefall bottomed out during the 2002–03 season, as the Cavs fell to a 17–65 record, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the league's worst.

However, the fortunes of the franchise shifted dramatically in May 2003, when the Cavs won the first overall pick in the draft lottery. The Cavaliers selected high school phenom LeBron James from St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in nearby Akron, providing the team with a centerpiece player around which to build.[2]

The Cavaliers revised their look for the 2003–04 season, introducing a new logo and a variation on the wine and gold color scheme used by the club during the 1970s. Dark blue was also added as a trim color. Both the logo and uniforms lasted until 2010 during James' first stint in Cleveland before leaving the team to join the Miami Heat. He had controversially announced his departure from Cleveland in a nationally televised special on July 8, 2010.

The team made major moves during the season, trading Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart and a second-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Eric Williams, Tony Battie, and Kedrick Brown. Later, Darius Miles was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jeff McInnis and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.

The Cavaliers lost their first five games of the season, leading them to an awful 6–19 start. However, they played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 35–47 record. They fell just one game short of making the playoffs. James was named Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie First Team. Following the season, second-year forward Carlos Boozer signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz.

Offseason

[edit]

Despite James being with Cleveland for the first season, Cleveland still did not make the playoffs, still needing improvement.

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 2003 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team
1 1 LeBron James Small Forward United States USA St. Vincent-St.Mary (Akron, OH)
2 31 Jason Kapono Forward United States USA UCLA

Roster

[edit]
2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 4 Tony Battie 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976-02-11 Texas Tech
F 1 Carlos Boozer 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 258 lb (117 kg) 1981-11-20 Duke
SF 5 Kedrick Brown 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1981-03-18 Northwest Florida State
C 52 DeSagana Diop 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1982-01-30 Oak Hill Academy (HS)
C 11 Zydrunas Ilgauskas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1975-06-05 Lithuania
F 23 LeBron James 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1984-12-30 St. Vincent-St. Mary (HS)
F 24 Jason Kapono 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1981-02-04 UCLA
G 0 Jeff McInnis 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1974-10-22 North Carolina
F 54 Lee Nailon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1975-02-22 TCU
F 14 Ira Newble 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975-01-20 Miami (OH)
G 12 Kevin Ollie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1972-12-27 Connecticut
SG 2 Dajuan Wagner 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1983-02-04 Memphis
F 55 Eric Williams Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972-07-17 Providence
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: April 6, 2004

Regular season

[edit]
  • Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, LeBron James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals and shooting 60% from the field.[3] After recording a season-high 41 points against the New Jersey Nets, James became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game.[4] He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season,[5] and was named Rookie of the Year; becoming the first Cavalier and youngest NBA player to ever receive the award. He joined Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season.[6] The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.[7]

Standings

[edit]
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 61 21 .744 – 34–7 27–14 20–8
x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 7 31–10 23–18 17–11
x-New Orleans Hornets 41 41 .500 20 25–16 16–25 14–14
x-Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 .500 20 27–14 14–27 15–13
e-Cleveland Cavaliers 35 47 .427 26 23–18 12–29 14–14
e-Toronto Raptors 33 49 .402 28 18–23 15–26 11–17
e-Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 33 18–23 10–31 10–18
e-Chicago Bulls 23 59 .280 38 14–27 9–32 11–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Indiana Pacers 61 21 .744 –
2 y-New Jersey Nets 47 35 .573 14
3 x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 7
4 x-Miami Heat 42 40 .512 19
5 x-New Orleans Hornets 41 41 .500 20
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 .500 20
7 x-New York Knicks 39 43 .476 22
8 x-Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 25
9 e-Cleveland Cavaliers 35 47 .427 26
10 e-Toronto Raptors 33 49 .402 28
11 e-Philadelphia 76ers 33 49 .402 28
12 e-Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 33
13 e-Washington Wizards 25 57 .305 36
14 e-Chicago Bulls 23 59 .280 38
15 e-Orlando Magic 21 61 .256 40

Game log

[edit]
2003–04 game log
Total: 35–47 (Home: 23–18; Road: 12–29)
October: 0–2 (home: 0–0; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 29 @ Sacramento L 92–106 LeBron James (25) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (9) ARCO Arena
17,317 		0–1
2 October 30 @ Phoenix L 86–95 Ricky Davis (22) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (8) America West Arena
18,422 		0–2
November : 4–11 (home: 4–3; road: 0–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
3 November 1 @ Portland L 85–104 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) Carlos Boozer (9) Ricky Davis (7) Rose Garden
20,610 		0–3
4 November 5 Denver L 89–93 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (23) LeBron James (11) James, Ollie (7) Gund Arena
20,562 		0–4
5 November 7 @ Indiana L 90–91 LeBron James (23) Ricky Davis (12) Ricky Davis (10) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		0–5
6 November 8 Washington W 111–98 Miles, Davis (26) James, Davis, Boozer (8) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena
17,706 		1–5
7 November 10 New York W 94–80 Chris Mihm (19) Carlos Boozer (8) Ricky Davis (8) Gund Arena
16,422 		2–5
8 November 12 @ Miami L 83–88 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20) Carlos Boozer (16) LeBron James (7) American Airlines Arena
15,329 		2–6
9 November 14 @ Boston L 82–91 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22) Carlos Boozer (11) Ricky Davis (6) FleetCenter
18,624 		2–7
10 November 15 Philadelphia W 91–88 (OT) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (28) Carlos Boozer (15) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena
20,562 		3–7
11 November 18 L.A. Clippers W 103–95 Ricky Davis (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena
16,176 		4–7
12 November 19 @ Washington L 95–106 LeBron James (28) Chris Mihm (12) James, Ollie (8) MCI Center
19,705 		4–8
13 November 21 Minnesota L 83–97 LeBron James (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Ricky Davis (6) Gund Arena
19,269 		4–9
14 November 22 @ Atlanta L 83–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) Ricky Davis (6) Philips Arena
19,445 		4–10
15 November 26 @ New Orleans L 72–82 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20) James, Mihm (8) LeBron James (9) New Orleans Arena
16,410 		4–11
16 November 28 @ Detroit L 88–92 Ricky Davis (25) Chris Mihm (13) LeBron James (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		4–12
17 November 29 Memphis L 115–122 (2OT) LeBron James (33) LeBron James (16) James, Davis (7) Gund Arena
18,102 		4–13
December : 6–9 (home: 4–5; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 2 @ Denver L 103–115 LeBron James (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13) Davis, James (5) Pepsi Center
19,610 		4–14
19 December 3 @ L.A. Clippers L 80–90 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Carlos Boozer (21) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
17,445 		4–15
20 December 6 Atlanta W 95–85 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (10) LeBron James (5) Gund Arena
17,390 		5–15
21 December 9 Toronto L 93–100 LeBron James (18) Ira Newble (10) Ricky Davis (6) Gund Arena
16,139 		5–16
22 December 11 Detroit W 95–86 Carlos Boozer (28) Chris Mihm (10) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena
15,115 		6–16
23 December 13 Boston L 98–105 LeBron James (37) Carlos Boozer (15) Ricky Davis (8) Gund Arena
17,353 		6–17
24 December 15 @ Indiana L 85–95 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7) LeBron James (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
14,951 		6–18
25 December 17 Houston L 85–89 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (11) Kevin Ollie (6) Gund Arena
14,567 		6–19
26 December 19 @ Philadelphia W 88–81 LeBron James (36) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9) Kevin Ollie (12) Wachovia Center
20,761 		7–19
27 December 20 @ Chicago W 95–87 LeBron James (32) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) LeBron James (10) United Center
22,282 		8–19
28 December 23 New Orleans W 97–86 LeBron James (22) Carlos Boozer (14) J. R. Bremer (4) Gund Arena
16,609 		9–19
29 December 25 @ Orlando L 101–113 (OT) LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (19) LeBron James (6) TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283 		9–20
30 December 26 Chicago L 80–87 LeBron James (18) Carlos Boozer (14) Darius Miles (5) Gund Arena
20,562 		9–21
31 December 28 Portland W 86–74 LeBron James (32) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena
18,109 		10–21
32 December 30 Indiana L 89–92 LeBron James (22) Carlos Boozer (11) Carlos Boozer (6) Gund Arena
18,648 		10–22
January : 7–7 (home: 5–1; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
33 January 2 @ New Jersey L 82–97 Carlos Boozer (16) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (9) Continental Airlines Arena
19,968 		10–23
34 January 6 New York W 107–96 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Tony Battie (8) LeBron James (10) Gund Arena
15,277 		11–23
35 January 7 @ Toronto L 69–75 LeBron James (21) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) LeBron James (5) Air Canada Centre
19,874 		11–24
36 January 9 @ Boston L 82–107 LeBron James (19) Tony Battie (13) LeBrob James (6) FleetCenter
18,624 		11–25
37 January 12 @ L.A. Lakers L 79–89 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (12) LeBron James (7) Staples Center
18,997 		11–26
38 January 13 @ Seattle W 104–96 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (9) KeyArena
17,072 		12–26
39 January 15 @ Golden State L 102–119 LeBron James (29) Carlos Boozer (10) LeBron James (6) The Arena in Oakland
19,602 		12–27
40 January 17 @ Utah W 102–96 (OT) Carlos Boozer (32) Carlos Boozer (18) Eric Williams (5) Delta Center
19,622 		13–27
41 January 20 Seattle W 99–94 Carlos Boozer (32) Carlos Boozer (20) Carlos Boozer (4) Gund Arena
14,048 		14–27
42 January 22 Sacramento L 89–95 Dajuan Wagner (20) Carlos Boozer (11) Kevin Ollie (9) Gund Arena
17,720 		14–28
43 January 24 Philadelphia W 95–87 Eric Williams (20) Carlos Boozer (15) Jeff McInnis (6) Gund Arena
20,562 		15–28
44 January 26 Orlando W 99–98 Carlos Boozer (23) Carlos Boozer (16) Jeff McInnis (7) Gund Arena
14,382 		16–28
45 January 28 Miami W 94–93 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) Jeff McInnis (8) Gund Arena
14,433 		17–28
46 January 30 @ Milwaukee L 95–101 LeBron James (20) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) Jeff McInnis (5) Bradley Center
18,717 		17–29
February : 7–6 (home: 3–4; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
47 February 1 @ Washington W 104–100 LeBron James (38) Carlos Boozer (14) Jeff McInnis (9) MCI Center
15,541 		18–29
48 February 3 @ Detroit W 85–82 Carlos Booxer (21) Carlos Boozer (15) LeBron James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		19–29
49 February 4 L.A. Lakers L 106–111 (OT) LeBron James (32) Carlos Boozer (16) Carlos Boozer (7) Gund Arena
20,562 		19–30
50 February 6 @ Minnesota L 92–103 Jeff McInnis (21) James, Boozer (9) James, McInnis (5) Target Center
19,212 		19–31
51 February 7 Washington L 88–106 Carlos Boozer (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (6) Gund Arena
20,562 		19–32
52 February 9 Boston W 97–89 LeBron James (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena
15,146 		20–32
53 February 11 New Jersey L 85–105 Eric Williams (14) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17) McInnis, James (5) Gund Arena
15,074 		20–33
54 February 18 Dallas L 98–114 Carlos Boozer (24) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena
18,349 		20–34
55 February 20 San Antonio W 89–87 LeBron James (32) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Jeff McInnis (8) Gund Arena
20,562 		21–34
56 February 22 @ New York W 92–86 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (31) Carlos Boozer (17) Jeff McInnis (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		22–34
57 February 23 New Orleans W 104–100 Carlos Boozer (24) Carlos Boozer (9) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena
17,093 		23–34
58 February 25 @ Houston L 84–90 McInnins, Ilgauskas (17) Carlos Boozer (18) Jeff McInnis (10) Toyota Center
18,184 		23–35
59 February 27 @ Orlando W 112–107 (OT) LeBron James (30) Carlos Boozer (16) Jeff McInnis (10) TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283 		24–35
March : 8–7 (home: 5–3; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
60 March 1 @ Chicago L 81–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (6) United Center
19,203 		24–36
61 March 3 Atlanta W 112–80 LeBron James (24) Carlos Boozer (15) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena
20,562 		25–36
62 March 5 @ New Orleans W 88–85 LeBron James (19) Eric Williams (11) Jeff McInnis (11) New Orleans Arena
17,795 		26–36
63 March 6 Milwaukee W 106–97 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (12) Gund Arena
20,562 		27–36
64 March 8 @ Atlanta W 108–102 LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (11) Jeff McInnis (10) Philips Arena
14,050 		28–36
65 March 10 @ Toronto W 106–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (7) Air Canada Centre
17,459 		29–36
66 March 14 Indiana W 107–104 LeBron James (26) Boozer, Ilgauskas (9) Jeff McInnis (10) Gund Arena
20,562 		30–36
67 March 16 Chicago W 111–87 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena
17,776 		31–36
68 March 19 Utah L 88–97 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (7) Gund Arena
20,562 		31–37
69 March 21 Detroit L 76–96 Carlos Boozer (21) Carlos Boozer (17) Kevin Ollie (8) Gund Arena
20,562 		31–38
70 March 23 Phoenix L 86–103 LeBron James (25) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (6) Gund Arena
19,024 		31–39
71 March 26 @ Philadelphia L 71–86 LeBron James (16) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (7) Wachovia Center
20,804 		31–40
72 March 27 New Jersey W 107–104 LeBron James (41) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (13) Gund Arena
20,562 		32–40
73 March 29 @ San Antonio L 91–103 James, Ilgauskas (18) Ilgauskas, Diop (6) Ollie, Battie (5) SBC Center
18,797 		32–41
74 March 30 @ Dallas L 109–126 LeBron James (28) Carlos Boozer (20) James, Ollie, Cleaves (6) American Airlines Center
20,575 		32–42
April : 3–5 (home: 2–2; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
75 April 2 @ Milwaukee L 89–107 Carlos Boozer (26) Carlos Boozer (11) Mateen Cleaves (8) Bradley Center
17,813 		32–43
76 April 3 Golden State L 100–103 LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (10) Gund Arena
20,562 		32–44
77 April 6 Toronto L 86–87 LeBron James (21) Boozer, Ilgauskas (15) Jeff McInnis (10) Gund Arena
20,071 		32–45
78 April 7 @ Memphis L 74–92 Dajuan Wagner (18) Carlos Boozer (8) Jeff McInnis (6) Pyramid Arena
19,351 		32–46
79 April 9 @ Miami L 91–106 LeBron James (24) James, Ilgauskas (7) LeBron James (8) American Airlines Arena
20,213 		32–47
80 April 10 Miami W 91–80 Jeff McInnis (16) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (11) Gund Arena
20,562 		33–47
81 April 12 Milwaukee W 93–89 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena
20,562 		34–47
82 April 14 @ New York W 100–90 Jeff McInnis (19) Carlos Boozer (12) Jeff McInnis (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		35–47
2003–04 schedule

Player stats

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tony Battie* 50 1 19.5 .427 .125 .768 4.8 .7 .36 .94 5.4
Carlos Boozer 75 75 34.6 .523 .167 .768 11.4 2.0 .99 .73 15.5
Kedrick Brown* 34 16 16.5 .465 .388 .643 2.3 1.1 .38 .15 5.3
Mateen Cleaves 4 2 23.0 .304 .000 .500 1.8 4.8 1.00 .50 3.8
DeSagana Diop 56 3 13.0 .388 .000 .600 3.6 .6 .46 .91 2.3
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas 81 81 31.3 .483 .286 .746 8.1 1.3 .48 2.48 15.3
LeBron James 79 79 39.5 .417 .290 .754 5.5 5.9 1.65 .73 20.9
Jason Kapono 41 3 10.4 .403 .477 .833 1.3 .3 .32 .05 3.5
Jelani McCoy 2 0 6.0 .000 .000 .000 2.0 .0 .00 .00 .0
Jeff McInnis* 31 31 35.4 .417 .388 .836 2.6 7.5 1.16 .13 11.7
Lee Nailon* 22 4 18.0 .451 .000 .800 3.0 .8 .18 .05 7.7
Ira Newble 64 25 19.5 .391 .105 .783 2.4 1.1 .39 .30 4.0
Kevin Ollie 82 7 17.1 .370 .444 .835 2.1 2.9 .62 .10 4.2
Dajuan Wagner 44 4 16.1 .366 .360 .681 1.3 1.2 .59 .16 6.5
Eric Williams* 50 36 27.5 .366 .253 .787 3.8 1.9 .96 .16 9.4

* Statistics include only games with the Cavaliers

Award winners

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers
  2. ^ "Sports of The Times; Drafting A Savior? Be Careful". New York Times. June 27, 2003. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  3. ^ basketball-reference.com, James 2003-04 Game Log[permanent dead link], accessed April 27, 2007.
  4. ^ espn.com, James receives 78 of 118 first-place votes, accessed May 7, 2007.
  5. ^ nba.com, LeBron James: Player Info Page Archived May 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 27, 2007.
  6. ^ nba.com, LeBron James: NBA Bio Archived May 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 27, 2007.
  7. ^ basketball-reference.com, 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed April 27, 2007.
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