2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season

NBA season
team = Cleveland Cavaliers
misc =
end_year = 2004
wins = 35
losses = 47
division = Central
division_place = 5
conf_place = 9
coach = Paul Silas
arena = Quicken Loans Arena
owners = Gordon Gund
television =
radio =
playoffs = Did not qualify
bbr_team = CLE

After several losing seasons saw the Cavaliers drop to the bottom of the league and become a perennial lottery draft team. After another disappointing season in 2002-03, the Cavaliers landed the number one draft pick in the NBA Lottery. The Cavaliers selected high school phenomenon LeBron James. Also in 2003 the team colors were changed from burnt orange, red and navy blue back to wine and gold along with a new primary logo. James' status as both a local star (having played his high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in nearby Akron) and as one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA history led many to view his selection as a turning point in the franchise's history. The 2003-04 season offered great hope for the future, as James rose to become a dominating player, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Offseason

Draft picks

Regular season

* Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, LeBron James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals and shooting 60% from the field.basketball-reference.com, [http://basketball-reference.com/fc/gl.cgi?player=jamesle01&year=2004 James 2003-04 Game Log] , accessed April 27 2007.] After recording a season-high 41 points against the New Jersey Nets, James became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game. [espn.com, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1786166 James receives 78 of 118 first-place votes] , accessed May 7 2007.] He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season,nba.com, [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lebron_james/career_stats.html LeBron James: Player Info Page] , accessed April 27, 2007.] and was named Rookie of the Year; becoming the first Cavalier and youngest NBA player to ever receive the award. He joined Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season.nba.com, [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lebron_james/bio.html LeBron James: NBA Bio] , accessed April 27 2007.] The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs. [basketball-reference.com, [http://basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2004.html 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers] , accessed April 27 2007.]

eason standings

Player stats

Regular season

* Statistics include only games with the Cavaliers

Award Winners

* LeBron James, Forward, Rookie of the Year
* LeBron James, Forward, NBA All-Rookie First Team

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=2003&tm=CLE&lg=N Cleveland Cavaliers on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2004.html Cleveland Cavaliers on Basketball Reference]