King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: A complete guide to the East NOT being weak

By Alishah Pearine

AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDEPENDENCE, OH – OCTOBER 3: LeBron James
INDEPENDENCE, OH – OCTOBER 3: LeBron James /

The Drought From 2007-2010

2007-08 Playoff Run

With the loss to San Antonio, it was clear all LeBron wanted was to get back to the NBA Finals. But with Boston acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics let it be known, throughout the Eastern Conference, that everything was going through them.

The Cavaliers finished the season off rather disappointing at 45-37 with an offensive rating of 106 (24th best) and a defensive rating of 106.4 (11th best).

LeBron finished the season averaging 30 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7 assists per game and was locked in for another playoff run.

Here are some highlights from his jaw-dropping season:

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Washington Wizards 

What would a first-round matchup be without the Cavaliers and Wizards meeting each other for the third consecutive year? With Arenas feeling lingering effects from his meniscus tear a season ago, he was in and out of the lineup all year and wasn’t the same player from year’s past. The Wizards relied on Antwan Jamison and Caron Butler much more in the series against the Cavaliers.

Jamison averaged 16.8 points and 12 rebounds per game and Caron Butler averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers /

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron averaged 29.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.7 assists while Zydrunas averaged14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Even though the Wizards weren’t the same team from two seasons ago, the Cavs weren’t any better. The Cavaliers only won 45 games and the Wizards had won 43 with a lot of wins coming without Arenas so they were already accustomed to playing without him. The difference between the two teams, like it, always has been, was LeBron James.

Eastern Conference Semifinals: Boston Celtics 

The Boston Celtics had been wreaking havoc throughout the entire NBA since the Big 3 formed. They finished off their first season with a record of 66-16, finishing 10th in offensive ratings and 1st in defensive ratings. They also held their opponents to 90 points per contest—2nd best in the league.

Beating them was going to be a daunting task. especially with players the likes of Delonte West, Zydrunas and Wally Szczerbiak.

Regardless, LeBron and the Cavaliers pushed the Boston Celtics to 7 games and suffered a heartbreaking 97-92 loss. LeBron and Pierce battled it out, both posting 40+ points in the final game. It was the Celtics’ defense, valuable contributions from Rajon Rondo and of course the Big 3 that helped Boston win 4-3 and eventually win the NBA Championship.