List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons
The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1970. This list summarizes the team's season-by-season records, including post-season, and includes select season-end awards won by the team's players and/or coaches. The Cavaliers were founded in 1970 as an expansion franchise and since their first season, they have always played in the Central Division and in the Eastern Conference.[1]
On October 14, 1970, the Cavs lost to the Buffalo Braves 92-107 in their first game.[2] They have been awarded the first overall draft pick six times, choosing Austin Carr in 1971, Brad Daugherty in 1986, LeBron James in 2003, Kyrie Irving in 2011, Anthony Bennett in 2013 and Andrew Wiggins in 2014.[3] In his last season with the Cavs, Carr won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the only Cavalier to ever win the award.[4] As a Cavalier, LeBron won Rookie of the Year as well as four MVP awards and two All Star Game MVP awards. He also led the Cavaliers to three NBA Finals and won the 2016 title as Finals MVP.[5] Cleveland's next first overall pick after James, Kyrie Irving, won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2014.[6]
In their 45 seasons, the Cavs have achieved a winning record 20 times. Highlights include 19 playoff appearances, which included winning the Central Division championship five times (1975–76, 2008–09, 2009-10, 2014-15, and 2015-16), winning the Eastern Conference championship three times (2006–07, 2014-15, and 2015-16), and winning the NBA Title in 2016.[1][7] In five straight playoff appearances with LeBron James in his first tenure with Cleveland, the Cavs won more playoff games than they lost each season, something they only ever managed, barely, once before, in the 1991-92 season. Overall, their winning percentage through the years is .456, with 1660 wins and 1967 losses in regular season play (as of March 13, 2015). They are 84 and 84 in the playoffs, a winning percentage of .500.
Key
Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
---|---|
(No.) | Number of games the coach coached |
Italics | Season in progress |
Losses | Number of regular season losses |
AMVP | All-Star Game Most Valuable Player |
COY | Coach of the Year |
EOY | Executive of the Year |
MVP | Most Valuable Player |
FMVP | NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award |
ROY | Rookie of the Year |
SPOR | Sportsmanship Award |
JWKC | J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award |
NBA Champions | |
Conference Champions | |
Division Champions | |
Playoff berth |
Seasons
Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2015–16 season.
Season | League | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970–71 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 27 | — | — | [8] |
1971–72 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 15 | — | — | [9] |
1972–73 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 20 | — | — | [10] |
1973–74 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 18 | — | — | [11] |
1974–75 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 | — | — | [12] |
1975–76 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 49 | 33 | .598 | — | Won Conference Semifinals (Bullets) 4–3 Lost Conference Finals (Celtics) 4–2 |
Bill Fitch (COY) | [13] |
1976–77 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 6 | Lost First Round (Bullets) 2–1 | — | [14] |
1977–78 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 3rd | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | Lost First Round (Knicks) 2–0 | — | [15] |
1978–79 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 5th[nb 1] | 30 | 52 | .366 | 18 | — | — | [17] |
1979–80 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 5th[nb 2] | 37 | 45 | .451 | 13 | — | Austin Carr (JWKC) | [19] |
1980–81 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32 | — | — | [20] |
1981–82 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 40 | — | — | [21] |
1982–83 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 28 | — | — | [22] |
1983–84 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 22 | — | — | [23] |
1984–85 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Central | 4th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 23 | Lost First Round (Celtics) 3–1 | — | [24] |
1985–86 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | — | — | [25] |
1986–87 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 31 | 51 | .380 | 26 | — | — | [26] |
1987–88 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 5th[nb 3] | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | Lost First Round (Bulls) 3–2 | — | [28] |
1988–89 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 6 | Lost First Round (Bulls) 3–2 | — | [29] |
1989–90 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Central | 4th[nb 4] | 42 | 40 | .512 | 17 | Lost First Round (76ers) 3–2 | — | [31] |
1990–91 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 6th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 28 | — | — | [32] |
1991–92 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 10 | Won First Round (Nets) 3–1 Won Conference Semifinals (Celtics) 4–3 Lost Conference Finals (Bulls) 4–2 |
Wayne Embry (EOY) | [33] |
1992–93 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Central | 2nd | 54 | 28 | .658 | 3 | Won First Round (Nets) 3–2 Lost Conference Semifinals (Bulls) 4–0 |
— | [34] |
1993–94 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th[nb 5] | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 | Lost First Round (Bulls) 3–0 | — | [36] |
1994–95 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 4th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | Lost First Round (Knicks) 3–1 | — | [37] |
1995–96 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 3rd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25 | Lost First Round (Knicks) 3–0 | — | [38] |
1996–97 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 | — | Terrell Brandon (SPOR) | [39] |
1997–98 | NBA | Eastern | 6th | Central | 5th | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | Lost First Round (Pacers) 3–1 | Wayne Embry (EOY) | [40] |
1998–99[nb 6] | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 7th | 22 | 28 | .440 | 11 | — | — | [41] |
1999–00 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 24 | — | — | [42] |
2000–01 | NBA | Eastern | 11th | Central | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 | — | — | [43] |
2001–02 | NBA | Eastern | 14th | Central | 7th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 21 | — | — | [44] |
2002–03 | NBA | Eastern | 15th | Central | 8th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 33 | — | — | [45] |
2003–04 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 26 | — | LeBron James (ROY) | [46] |
2004–05 | NBA | Eastern | 9th | Central | 4th | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | — | Eric Snow (JWKC) | [47] |
2005–06 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 14 | Won First Round (Wizards) 4–2 Lost Conference Semifinals (Pistons) 4–3 |
LeBron James (AMVP) | [48] |
2006–07 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 3 | Won First Round (Wizards) 4–0 Won Conference Semifinals (Nets) 4–2 Won Conference Finals (Pistons) 4–2 Lost NBA Finals (Spurs) 4–0 |
— | [49] |
2007–08 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Central | 2nd | 45 | 37 | .549 | 14 | Won First Round (Wizards) 4–2 Lost Conference Semifinals (Celtics) 4–3 |
LeBron James (AMVP) | [50] |
2008–09 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 66 | 16 | .805 | — | Won First Round (Pistons) 4–0 Won Conference Semifinals (Hawks) 4–0 Lost Conference Finals (Magic) 4–2 |
LeBron James (MVP) Mike Brown (COY) |
[51] |
2009–10 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 61 | 21 | .744 | — | Won First Round (Bulls) 4–1 Lost Conference Semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 |
LeBron James (MVP) | [52] |
2010–11 | NBA | Eastern | 15th | Central | 5th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 43 | — | — | [53] |
2011–12[nb 7] | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 5th | 21 | 45 | .318 | 29 | — | Kyrie Irving (ROY) | [54] |
2012–13 | NBA | Eastern | 13th | Central | 5th | 24 | 58 | .293 | 25.5 | — | — | [55] |
2013–14 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Central | 3rd | 33 | 49 | .402 | 23 | — | Kyrie Irving (AMVP) Luol Deng (JWKC) |
[56] |
2014–15 | NBA | Eastern | 2nd | Central | 1st | 53 | 29 | .646 | — | Won First Round (Celtics) 4–0 Won Conference Semifinals (Bulls) 4–2 Won Conference Finals (Hawks) 4–0 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–2 |
— | [57] |
2015–16 | NBA | Eastern | 1st | Central | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | Won First Round (Pistons) 4–0 Won Conference Semifinals (Hawks) 4–0 Won Conference Finals (Raptors) 4–2 Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–3 |
LeBron James (FMVP) | [58] |
All-time records
Statistic | Wins | Losses | Win% |
---|---|---|---|
Regular season results | 1728 | 1996 | .464 |
Post-season results | 100 | 89 | .529 |
Regular and post-season results | 1828 | 2085 | .467 |
Notes
- ^ The Cavaliers and the Pistons ended the 1978–79 season with identical 30–52 records.[16]
- ^ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1979–80 season with identical 37–45 records.[18]
- ^ The Cavaliers and the Bucks ended the 1987–88 season with identical 42–40 records.[27]
- ^ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1989–90 season with identical 42–40 records.[30]
- ^ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1993–94 season with identical 47–35 records.[35]
- ^ Due to the circumstances of a lockout, the 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games, with teams beginning play on February 5, 1999.
- ^ Due to the circumstances of a lockout, the 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games, with teams beginning play on December 25, 2011.
References
- General
- "Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- "Cleveland Cavaliers Season Summaries". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- Specific
- ^ a b "Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1970-71 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ^ "Draft Index Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
- ^ "LeBron James Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ^ "Kyrie Irving Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ^ "Team Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1970-1971 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1971-1972 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1972-1973 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1973-1974 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1974-1975 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1976-1977 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1977-1978 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1978-79 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1978-1979 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1979-80 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1979-1980 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1980-1981 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1981-1982 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1982-1983 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1983-1984 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1984-1985 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1985-1986 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1986-1987 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1987-88 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1987-1988 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1988-1989 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1989-90 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1989-1990 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1990-1991 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1991-1992 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1992-1993 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1993-94 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1993-1994 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1994-1995 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1995-1996 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1996-1997 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1997-1998 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1998-1999 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "1999-2000 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2000-2001 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2001-2002 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2002-2003 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2003-2004 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2004-2005 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2005-2006 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2006-2007 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2007-2008 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2008-2009 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2009-2010 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2010-2011 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2011-2012 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- ^ "2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ "2013-14 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ^ "2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ "2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 19, 2016.