2008 Cleveland Cavaliers

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Orlando Magic, who beat the Cavaliers 4 games to 2 to win the Eastern Conference Finals and advance to the 2009 NBA Finals, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Cleveland Cavaliers, winners of the Central Division, for the stellar season they had!

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished the 2007-08 season in 2nd place in the Central Division and scored a playoff berth, though they were knocked out in the East Semifinals by eventual 2008 NBA Championship winners the Boston Celtics. Though their performance was nothing to be ashamed of, it did mark the third season in a row that they made it to the playoffs but didn’t take home the championship. The Cavs are hoping that the acquisition of Mo Williams will be the difference between getting close and actually winning. Williams and LeBron James should make a powerful duo, and the Cavaliers are starting the 2008-09 season as early favorites in the Eastern Conference. Tickets to Quicken Loans Arena are always a hot commodity, so if you want to see the Cleveland Cavaliers in action in the 2008-09 season, get yours today!

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 Quicken Loans Arena (formerly 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. Progressive 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. Quicken Loans Arena is also the stomping ground for Cleveland's American Hockey League team, the Barons.