2005 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to go to the playoffs in 2004-05, thanks to the talent of superstar LeBron James. No one stepped up to help LeBron, though, and the Cavaliers barely topped .500 and missed the playoffs. Nevertheless, changes will turn the team into a powerhouse, so you had better get your tickets now, while they're still available.

The Cleveland Cavaliers came to Ohio in 1970. Since then, they have played host to some great NBA stars. Ron Harper averaged nearly 20 points a game while wearing a Cavalier's uniform. The "Reign Man" Shawn Kemp collected rebounds and had his career high scoring average as a Cavalier. Big man Brad Daugherty, drafted number one in the 1986 draft, is the team's all time leader in points and rebounds. He was universally regarded as the best Cavalier ever. Then came LeBron.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team geared towards the future, not the past. The biggest event in Cavalier history was by far the drafting of LeBron James in 2003. James, perhaps the most highly touted high school basketball star ever, was the prized jewel of his draft class. James became an instant basketball icon, and ticket sales soared from the moment he was signed. Everyone wants a chance to see this kid play. The organization hopes that his leadership, his celebrity, and most importantly his game can raise the Cavaliers to new heights.

The 2003 season was a huge transition for the Cleveland, Ohio basketball franchise. The team, which has called Gund Arena home since 1994, brought in head coach Paul Silas to head up an energetic group of youngsters. LeBron James came to the league with impressive credentials. It was widely wondered whether or not he could possibly live up to the hype of daily press clipping, the weight of a franchise on his shoulders, and a $90 million shoe deal. James proved early on that he had the game to back up the hype. James' supporting cast changed dramatically in 2003. While seven footer Zydrunas Ilgauskas provided an inside presence, double-double man Carlos Boozer is the team's most effective inside threat. Early in the season, scorer Ricky Davis was James's best supporting teammate, but a trade with the Boston Celtics replaced Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, and Michael Stewart with Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown, and Eric Williams. For years the Cavaliers have struggled in the Eastern Conference. The team is hopeful that LeBron can transform the youthful, inexperienced team into a legitimate contender in the near future.

The NFL's Cleveland Browns play at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Known for its incredibly enthusiastic crowds, aptly dubbed the "Dawg Pound," Cleveland Brown Stadium is a difficult place for visiting teams to play. Jacobs Field is home to the Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. The Indians, armed with one of the best lineups in all of baseball, were legitimate World Series contenders in the 1990s, wining six American League Central Division titles in seven years. Gund Arena is also the stomping ground for Cleveland's American Hockey League team, the Barons.