2004 Cavs Roster: The Season in Review

In 2004, the Cleveland Cavaliers boasted one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. Led by superstar LeBron James, the Cavs had a regular season record of 42-40 and reached the second round of the playoffs.

Key Players

LeBron James

James, then just 19 years old, was already one of the best players in the league. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in the 2004 season. James was named to his first All-Star team and was also named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Ilgauskas was a 7-foot-3 center who was a key part of the Cavs' defense. He averaged 9.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the 2004 season. Ilgauskas was also named to the All-Defensive Second Team.

Carlos Boozer

Boozer was a 6-foot-10 forward who was a key part of the Cavs' offense. He averaged 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in the 2004 season. Boozer was also named to the All-Star team.

Drew Gooden

Gooden was a 6-foot-10 forward who was a key part of the Cavs' bench. He averaged 10.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the 2004 season. Gooden was also a key part of the Cavs' defense.

Eric Snow

Snow was a 6-foot-3 point guard who was a key part of the Cavs' leadership. He averaged 6.4 points and 6.3 assists per game in the 2004 season. Snow was also a key part of the Cavs' defense.

Regular Season

The Cavs had a regular season record of 42-40 in 2004. They finished third in the Central Division, behind the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. The Cavs qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Highlights

• The Cavs won their first 10 games of the season, which is tied for the best start in franchise history.
• James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February and March.
• The Cavs had a seven-game winning streak in March, which is the longest winning streak in franchise history.

Struggles

• The Cavs lost seven of their last nine games of the regular season.
• The Cavs were 10-22 on the road in the 2004 season.
• The Cavs were 11th in the Eastern Conference in defensive rating in the 2004 season.

Playoffs

The Cavs reached the second round of the playoffs in 2004, where they lost to the New Jersey Nets in six games.

Highlights

• The Cavs won their first two playoff games against the Washington Wizards.
• James averaged 32.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in the playoffs.
• The Cavs lost the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New Jersey Nets, but they won the next two games to tie the series.

Struggles

• The Cavs lost the final two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New Jersey Nets, including a 26-point loss in Game 6.
• The Cavs were 2-5 on the road in the 2004 playoffs.
• The Cavs were 19th in the NBA in defensive rating in the 2004 playoffs.

Conclusion

The 2004 Cavs roster was one of the most talented in franchise history. Led by LeBron James, the Cavs had a successful regular season, reaching the second round of the playoffs. However, the Cavs were ultimately unable to reach the NBA Finals, as they were defeated by the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Key Stats

Effective Strategies

• The Cavs used a high-tempo offense that led the NBA in pace.
• James was the primary scorer for the Cavs, but he also had a number of talented teammates who could contribute.
• The Cavs used a strong defense to force turnovers and create scoring opportunities.

How to Step-by-Step Approach

1. Draft LeBron James.
2. Build a team around James with talented players who can contribute in a variety of ways.
3. Use a high-tempo offense to create scoring opportunities.
4. Play strong defense to force turnovers and create scoring opportunities.

FAQs

1. What was the Cavs' record in the 2004 season? The Cavs had a regular season record of 42-40 in 2004.
2. Who was the Cavs' leading scorer in the 2004 season? LeBron James was the Cavs' leading scorer in the 2004 season, averaging 27.2 points per game.
3. Who was the Cavs' leading rebounder in the 2004 season? Carlos Boozer was the Cavs' leading rebounder in the 2004 season, averaging 11.4 rebounds per game.
4. Who was the Cavs' leading assist man in the 2004 season? LeBron James was the Cavs' leading assist man in the 2004 season, averaging 7.2 assists per game.
5. Who was the Cavs' head coach in the 2004 season? Paul Silas was the Cavs' head coach in the 2004 season.
6. Who did the Cavs lose to in the second round of the 2004 playoffs? The Cavs lost to the New Jersey Nets in the second round of the 2004 playoffs.