Cleveland Cavs info

Since 1970, Cleveland Cavaliers ticket holders have had something to cheer about. As the Cavs celebrate their 35th anniversary, things could not be better for the franchise. They have the best young player in the league, and a team that should help him bring the NBA Playoffs to Gund Arena for the first time since 1998. “King James” is joined by Larry Hughes this year. Hughes helped the Wizards get to the playoffs last year, and hopes to do the same in Cleveland. The inside is strong with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Drew Gooden, making this year the best for Cavalier tickets since the early nineties.

Speaking of the early nineties, that Cavaliers team goes down as one of the finest NBA squads never to have won anything. Led by Mark Price, the Cavs of that era could beat teams in any number of ways. Price’s shooting was the finest of his time. The six-footer would unload his deadly outside shot at will. If defenses keyed on Price, he had a collection of teammates that knew what to do with the ball. The post was in good hands with Larry Nance and Brad Daugherty. Nance was a 6’10” freak who could jump out of the gym in his prime. Daugherty, while injury prone, was a smooth seven-footer who had the passing skills of a point guard, and a polished post game to boot. Throw in slasher Ron Harper, and the streaky Craig Ehlo, and you have a recipe for a championship.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers came into their own just as Michael Jordan was starting his ascent towards NBA greatness. When they met in the NBA Playoffs, Jordan proved unstoppable. This dominance was prophesized their first NBA Playoff matchup. It was the final game of their 1989 series, and Jordan and Ehlo were matching each other shot for shot in the fourth quarter. In the game’s final play, Jordan hit a running 15-foot jumper over a desperately outstretched Ehlo as time expired. The shot would not only close the door on the Cavaliers' playoff hopes, it went on to be one of the most replayed shots in the history of the game. Generations grew up watching Jordan leaping in the air to celebrate the victory, while Ehlo crumpled in defeat on the floor. The Cavaliers were never able to get revenge in the years that followed, as the Bulls got stronger over time, and the Cavs struggled with injuries to all their key players.

The Cavaliers hope that James can lead them to the NBA Playoffs in 2005, and make everyone forget about past failures. And James is perfectly equipped to do so. The 20-year-old phenomenon continues to develop into the most unstoppable force in the league. If he continues to come of age, folks will be buying Cleveland Cavalier tickets to the NBA Finals.