The Cavaliers stampeded to a franchise-record 66 wins and only the team's second Central Division title. Counting the playoffs, the Cavs were 76-20 this season (.844). Their 10-4 mark in the postseason was their best winning percentage ever in the playoffs (.714).
But, of course, they didn't get out of the Eastern Conference final. They lost, 4-2, to their Achilles' heel -- the Orlando Magic. The Magic were likely the only team in the East that could have prevented them from making their second appearance in the NBA Finals in the last three years. The Cavs were the league's top-ranked defensive team during the regular season and through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Then the Magic exploited that vaunted defense and averaged 103.7 points and shot 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the arc in the six-game series. It wasn't a fluke. They exposed the Cavs' defense.
"We scored points," Cavs forward/center Wally Szczerbiak said. "We couldn't stop them."
That had to be a bitter pill to swallow for the Cavs' Mike Brown, the NBA's Coach of the Year.
Their upset in the East final cheapened their magnificent regular season just a bit. Everything laid out in front of them perfectly until Orlando outlasted Boston in the East semifinals. That proved to be the worst matchup for the Cavs.
Forward LeBron James averaged 38.5 points in the Orlando series, but his supporting cast didn't show up. Guard Mo Williams, center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and forward Anderson Varejao's numbers tumbled, which added fuel to the naysayers' contention that this remains a one-man show.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT: James earned the Most Valuable Player award, a first for the franchise. He chose to hold the press conference at his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.
Before arriving at the gym, he drove through the desolate neighborhoods of Akron where he grew up.
His mother, Gloria James, wasn't surprised he chose to reminisce on his big day.
"He's never forgotten where he's come from," she said. "(He figured) 'I have friends, family and supporters in this room.' It didn't surprise me he took the long route. He figured that's where his true supporters were. He didn't want to deprive them. He wanted to show his appreciation for their support."
NBA officials were hesitant at first but then decided it was a great idea.
"It's usually in the arena on an off day," said Brian McIntyre, the NBA's senior vice president of basketball communications. "They had the idea of bringing it down here. It was the first time anyone thought about it. We thought about it for a few seconds and said, 'Damn, that's a hell of an idea.' His speech was to the kids here. What a connection."
The awards didn't stop there for James. He was a first-team All-NBA forward, was a first-team All-Defensive player and was second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year.
TURNING POINT: There really wasn't a turning point in the regular season -- the Cavs consistently dominated from start to finish. But in the playoffs, the loss to Orlando in Game 1 of Eastern Conference final burst the Cavs' seeming invincibility at home. They never recovered.
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