2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. In the years following their 1998 first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers dropped to the bottom of the league and became a perennial entrant in the annual NBA draft lottery. The franchise's freefall bottomed out during the 2002–03 season, as the Cavs fell to a 17–65 record, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the league's worst.

However, the fortunes of the franchise shifted dramatically in May 2003, when the Cavs won the first overall pick in the draft lottery. The Cavaliers selected high school phenom LeBron James from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in nearby Akron, providing the team with a centerpiece player around which to build.

The Cavaliers revised their look for the 2003–04 season, introducing a new logo and a variation on the wine and gold color scheme used by the club during the 1970s. Dark blue was also added as a trim color. Both the logo and uniforms lasted until 2010 during James' first stint in Cleveland before leaving the team to join the Miami Heat. He had controversially announced his departure from Cleveland in a nationally televised special on July 8, 2010.

The team made major moves during the season, trading Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart and a second-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Eric Williams, Tony Battie, and Kedrick Brown. Later, Darius Miles was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jeff McInnis and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.

The Cavaliers lost their first five games of the season, leading them to an awful 6–19 start. However, they played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 35–47 record. They fell just one game short of making the playoffs. James was named Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie First Team. Following the season, second-year forward Carlos Boozer signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz.

Offseason
Despite James being with Cleveland for the first season, Cleveland still did not make the playoffs, still needing improvement.

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. 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. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season, 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. The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.

Game log

 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * October 29
 * @ Sacramento
 * LeBron James (25)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 0–1
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * October 30
 * @ Phoenix
 * Ricky Davis (22)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * America West Arena 18,422
 * 0–2
 * America West Arena 18,422
 * 0–2


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 3
 * November 1
 * @ Portland
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21)
 * Carlos Boozer (9)
 * Ricky Davis (7)
 * Rose Garden 20,610
 * 0–3
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 4
 * November 5
 * Denver
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (23)
 * LeBron James (11)
 * James, Ollie (7)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 0–4
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5
 * November 7
 * @ Indiana
 * LeBron James (23)
 * Ricky Davis (12)
 * Ricky Davis (10)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
 * 0–5
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 6
 * November 8
 * Washington
 * Miles, Davis (26)
 * James, Davis, Boozer (8)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 17,706
 * 1–5
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 7
 * November 10
 * New York
 * Chris Mihm (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (8)
 * Ricky Davis (8)
 * Gund Arena 16,422
 * 2–5
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 8
 * November 12
 * @ Miami
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20)
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * American Airlines Arena 15,329
 * 2–6
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 9
 * November 14
 * @ Boston
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Ricky Davis (6)
 * FleetCenter 18,624
 * 2–7
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 10
 * November 15
 * Philadelphia
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (28)
 * Carlos Boozer (15)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 3–7
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 11
 * November 18
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Ricky Davis (27)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * Gund Arena 16,176
 * 4–7
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 12
 * November 19
 * @ Washington
 * LeBron James (28)
 * Chris Mihm (12)
 * James, Ollie (8)
 * MCI Center 19,705
 * 4–8
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 13
 * November 21
 * Minnesota
 * LeBron James (19)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
 * Ricky Davis (6)
 * Gund Arena 19,269
 * 4–9
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 14
 * November 22
 * @ Atlanta
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
 * Ricky Davis (6)
 * Philips Arena 19,445
 * 4–10
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 15
 * November 26
 * @ New Orleans
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20)
 * James, Mihm (8)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * New Orleans Arena 16,410
 * 4–11
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16
 * November 28
 * @ Detroit
 * Ricky Davis (25)
 * Chris Mihm (13)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 4–12
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 17
 * November 29
 * Memphis
 * LeBron James (33)
 * LeBron James (16)
 * James, Davis (7)
 * Gund Arena 18,102
 * 4–13
 * Ricky Davis (25)
 * Chris Mihm (13)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 4–12
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 17
 * November 29
 * Memphis
 * LeBron James (33)
 * LeBron James (16)
 * James, Davis (7)
 * Gund Arena 18,102
 * 4–13
 * 4–13


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 18
 * December 2
 * @ Denver
 * LeBron James (19)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13)
 * Davis, James (5)
 * Pepsi Center 19,610
 * 4–14
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 19
 * December 3
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
 * Carlos Boozer (21)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * Staples Center 17,445
 * 4–15
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 20
 * December 6
 * Atlanta
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (10)
 * LeBron James (5)
 * Gund Arena 17,390
 * 5–15
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 21
 * December 9
 * Toronto
 * LeBron James (18)
 * Ira Newble (10)
 * Ricky Davis (6)
 * Gund Arena 16,139
 * 5–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 22
 * December 11
 * Detroit
 * Carlos Boozer (28)
 * Chris Mihm (10)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 15,115
 * 6–16
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * December 13
 * Boston
 * LeBron James (37)
 * Carlos Boozer (15)
 * Ricky Davis (8)
 * Gund Arena 17,353
 * 6–17
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 24
 * December 15
 * @ Indiana
 * LeBron James (27)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 14,951
 * 6–18
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 25
 * December 17
 * Houston
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Kevin Ollie (6)
 * Gund Arena 14,567
 * 6–19
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 26
 * December 19
 * @ Philadelphia
 * LeBron James (36)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
 * Kevin Ollie (12)
 * Wachovia Center 20,761
 * 7–19
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 27
 * December 20
 * @ Chicago
 * LeBron James (32)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
 * LeBron James (10)
 * United Center 22,282
 * 8–19
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 28
 * December 23
 * New Orleans
 * LeBron James (22)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * J. R. Bremer (4)
 * Gund Arena 16,609
 * 9–19
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 29
 * December 25
 * @ Orlando
 * LeBron James (34)
 * Carlos Boozer (19)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
 * 9–20
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 30
 * December 26
 * Chicago
 * LeBron James (18)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * Darius Miles (5)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 9–21
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * December 28
 * Portland
 * LeBron James (32)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 18,109
 * 10–21
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 32
 * December 30
 * Indiana
 * LeBron James (22)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Carlos Boozer (6)
 * Gund Arena 18,648
 * 10–22
 * LeBron James (32)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 18,109
 * 10–21
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 32
 * December 30
 * Indiana
 * LeBron James (22)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Carlos Boozer (6)
 * Gund Arena 18,648
 * 10–22
 * 10–22


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 33
 * January 2
 * @ New Jersey
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 19,968
 * 10–23
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 34
 * January 6
 * New York
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
 * Tony Battie (8)
 * LeBron James (10)
 * Gund Arena 15,277
 * 11–23
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 35
 * January 7
 * @ Toronto
 * LeBron James (21)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
 * LeBron James (5)
 * Air Canada Centre 19,874
 * 11–24
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 36
 * January 9
 * @ Boston
 * LeBron James (19)
 * Tony Battie (13)
 * LeBrob James (6)
 * FleetCenter 18,624
 * 11–25
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 37
 * January 12
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (12)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 11–26
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 38
 * January 13
 * @ Seattle
 * LeBron James (27)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 12–26
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 39
 * January 15
 * @ Golden State
 * LeBron James (29)
 * Carlos Boozer (10)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * The Arena in Oakland 19,602
 * 12–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 40
 * January 17
 * @ Utah
 * Carlos Boozer (32)
 * Carlos Boozer (18)
 * Eric Williams (5)
 * Delta Center 19,622
 * 13–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 41
 * January 20
 * Seattle
 * Carlos Boozer (32)
 * Carlos Boozer (20)
 * Carlos Boozer (4)
 * Gund Arena 14,048
 * 14–27
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 42
 * January 22
 * Sacramento
 * Dajuan Wagner (20)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Kevin Ollie (9)
 * Gund Arena 17,720
 * 14–28
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 43
 * January 24
 * Philadelphia
 * Eric Williams (20)
 * Carlos Boozer (15)
 * Jeff McInnis (6)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 15–28
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 44
 * January 26
 * Orlando
 * Carlos Boozer (23)
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * Jeff McInnis (7)
 * Gund Arena 14,382
 * 16–28
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 45
 * January 28
 * Miami
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (8)
 * Gund Arena 14,433
 * 17–28
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 46
 * January 30
 * @ Milwaukee
 * LeBron James (20)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (5)
 * Bradley Center 18,717
 * 17–29
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (8)
 * Gund Arena 14,433
 * 17–28
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 46
 * January 30
 * @ Milwaukee
 * LeBron James (20)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (5)
 * Bradley Center 18,717
 * 17–29
 * 17–29


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 47
 * February 1
 * @ Washington
 * LeBron James (38)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * Jeff McInnis (9)
 * MCI Center 15,541
 * 18–29
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * February 3
 * @ Detroit
 * Carlos Booxer (21)
 * Carlos Boozer (15)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 19–29
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 49
 * February 4
 * L.A. Lakers
 * LeBron James (32)
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * Carlos Boozer (7)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 19–30
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 50
 * February 6
 * @ Minnesota
 * Jeff McInnis (21)
 * James, Boozer (9)
 * James, McInnis (5)
 * Target Center 19,212
 * 19–31
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 51
 * February 7
 * Washington
 * Carlos Boozer (19)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 19–32
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 52
 * February 9
 * Boston
 * LeBron James (24)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16)
 * Jeff McInnis (9)
 * Gund Arena 15,146
 * 20–32
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 53
 * February 11
 * New Jersey
 * Eric Williams (14)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17)
 * McInnis, James (5)
 * Gund Arena 15,074
 * 20–33
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 54
 * February 18
 * Dallas
 * Carlos Boozer (24)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 18,349
 * 20–34
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 55
 * February 20
 * San Antonio
 * LeBron James (32)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
 * Jeff McInnis (8)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 21–34
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 56
 * February 22
 * @ New York
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (31)
 * Carlos Boozer (17)
 * Jeff McInnis (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 22–34
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 57
 * February 23
 * New Orleans
 * Carlos Boozer (24)
 * Carlos Boozer (9)
 * Jeff McInnis (9)
 * Gund Arena 17,093
 * 23–34
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 58
 * February 25
 * @ Houston
 * McInnins, Ilgauskas (17)
 * Carlos Boozer (18)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * Toyota Center 18,184
 * 23–35
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * February 27
 * @ Orlando
 * LeBron James (30)
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
 * 24–35
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * Toyota Center 18,184
 * 23–35
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * February 27
 * @ Orlando
 * LeBron James (30)
 * Carlos Boozer (16)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
 * 24–35
 * 24–35


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 60
 * March 1
 * @ Chicago
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * Jeff McInnis (6)
 * United Center 19,203
 * 24–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 61
 * March 3
 * Atlanta
 * LeBron James (24)
 * Carlos Boozer (15)
 * Jeff McInnis (9)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 25–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * March 5
 * @ New Orleans
 * LeBron James (19)
 * Eric Williams (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (11)
 * New Orleans Arena 17,795
 * 26–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 63
 * March 6
 * Milwaukee
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * Jeff McInnis (12)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 27–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 64
 * March 8
 * @ Atlanta
 * LeBron James (34)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * Philips Arena 14,050
 * 28–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 65
 * March 10
 * @ Toronto
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * Jeff McInnis (7)
 * Air Canada Centre 17,459
 * 29–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 66
 * March 14
 * Indiana
 * LeBron James (26)
 * Boozer, Ilgauskas (9)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 30–36
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67
 * March 16
 * Chicago
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * Gund Arena 17,776
 * 31–36
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 68
 * March 19
 * Utah
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 31–37
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 69
 * March 21
 * Detroit
 * Carlos Boozer (21)
 * Carlos Boozer (17)
 * Kevin Ollie (8)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 31–38
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 70
 * March 23
 * Phoenix
 * LeBron James (25)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * LeBron James (6)
 * Gund Arena 19,024
 * 31–39
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 71
 * March 26
 * @ Philadelphia
 * LeBron James (16)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * LeBron James (7)
 * Wachovia Center 20,804
 * 31–40
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 72
 * March 27
 * New Jersey
 * LeBron James (41)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * LeBron James (13)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 32–40
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 73
 * March 29
 * @ San Antonio
 * James, Ilgauskas (18)
 * Ilgauskas, Diop (6)
 * Ollie, Battie (5)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 32–41
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 74
 * March 30
 * @ Dallas
 * LeBron James (28)
 * Carlos Boozer (20)
 * James, Ollie, Cleaves (6)
 * American Airlines Center 20,575
 * 32–42
 * James, Ilgauskas (18)
 * Ilgauskas, Diop (6)
 * Ollie, Battie (5)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 32–41
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 74
 * March 30
 * @ Dallas
 * LeBron James (28)
 * Carlos Boozer (20)
 * James, Ollie, Cleaves (6)
 * American Airlines Center 20,575
 * 32–42
 * 32–42


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 75
 * April 2
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Carlos Boozer (26)
 * Carlos Boozer (11)
 * Mateen Cleaves (8)
 * Bradley Center 17,813
 * 32–43
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 76
 * April 3
 * Golden State
 * LeBron James (34)
 * Carlos Boozer (13)
 * LeBron James (10)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 32–44
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 77
 * April 6
 * Toronto
 * LeBron James (21)
 * Boozer, Ilgauskas (15)
 * Jeff McInnis (10)
 * Gund Arena 20,071
 * 32–45
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 78
 * April 7
 * @ Memphis
 * Dajuan Wagner (18)
 * Carlos Boozer (8)
 * Jeff McInnis (6)
 * Pyramid Arena 19,351
 * 32–46
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 79
 * April 9
 * @ Miami
 * LeBron James (24)
 * James, Ilgauskas (7)
 * LeBron James (8)
 * American Airlines Arena 20,213
 * 32–47
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 80
 * April 10
 * Miami
 * Jeff McInnis (16)
 * Carlos Boozer (14)
 * LeBron James (11)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 33–47
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 81
 * April 12
 * Milwaukee
 * LeBron James (27)
 * Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14)
 * LeBron James (9)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 34–47
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 82
 * April 14
 * @ New York
 * Jeff McInnis (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (12)
 * Jeff McInnis (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 35–47
 * April 14
 * @ New York
 * Jeff McInnis (19)
 * Carlos Boozer (12)
 * Jeff McInnis (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 35–47
 * 35–47

Regular season
* Statistics include only games with the Cavaliers

Award winners

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