by Andrew Bohardt

Created on: December 22, 2008

33 years after their inception, the Cleveland Cavaliers were still waiting for some postseason success. The team, led by Brad Daugherty, Mark Price and Larry Nance, found success in the late 80s and early 90s, but with the likes of the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, the Cavs could never quite reach the NBA Finals. After the 1993 postseason, the three aforementioned players left Cleveland, and the team went into a decade-long depression.

The Cavs hit rock-bottom during the 2002-03 season, finishing a dreadful 17-65. The only bright spot occured late in the season when Cleveland won the NBA Draft lottery, giving them the opportunity to select "The Chosen One," LeBron James. James had been hyped as the "next Michael Jordan" since he arrived in high school, and thankfully for the Cavaliers, James has lived up to-and even exceeded-the lofty expectations placed on him.

In James' first season, the team improved by 18 games, and they haven't looked back since. Despite a lack of talent around him, James has put the Cavaliers on his back and carried them to winning records in each of the past four seasons. His crowning moment, however, came in the 2006-07 season. Not only did the Cavs finish the regular season with a 50-32 mark, but they also earned their first trip in franchise history to the NBA Finals. They were eventually swept in the Finals by the San Antonio Spurs, but the season provided hope for the future.

The 2007-08 season did not go as planned for the Cavs. Their regular-season record was five games worse than the previous season, and they bowed out of the playoffs in the second round. After the season, James spoke about his frustration with team's front office, and their inability to put more talent around him. The front office quickly responded by acquiring point guard Mo Williams, which has turned out beautifully.

The Cavs are off to an incredible start this season, winning 23 of its first 27 games. Williams has made a big difference, James is playing like the MVP of the league, and others, such as Ben Wallace, Daniel Gibson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West, have stepped up their games. Unfortunately, the Celtics are off to even better start, tying an NBA record for best start after 28 games (26-2). Between them and the Los Angeles Lakers, it will be tough for the Cavs to win the championship this season, but they still have James under contract next year. If they can keep him beyond 2010, the Cavs will be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in the near future.

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