1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers: Franchise First

1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers: Franchise First

1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers: Franchise First

The 1970-1971 NBA season marked the very first season in the history of the franchise that would be known as the Cleveland Cavaliers. A tradition of basketball was beginning to form near Lake Erie, though it took some time for the Cavaliers to find the right pieces to the puzzle. The early 1970’s were not kind at all to the team as far as on-court production was concerned as they posted numerous losing seasons. The mid 1970’s marked the beginning of some success for this young franchise.

In the 1975-1976 NBA season the Cleveland Cavaliers went 49-33, finishing 1 game ahead of the Washington Bullets to win the Central Division. The Cavaliers went 19-12 at home, which was called the Coliseum at Richfield, and they went 20-21 on the road. The Cavaliers went 15-11 in divisional play. Through most months of the regular season the Cavaliers fared well as they went 11-4 in December, 9-6 in January, 9-2 in February, 9-7 in March and 4-3 in April.

Center Jim Chones had 1,298 total points, 739 rebounds, 163 assists and 93 blocks, making 563 of 1,258 field goal shots and 172 of 260 free throws. Small forward Michael Campanella “Campy” Russell had 1,232 total points and 345 rebounds, making 483 of 1,003 field goal shots and 266 of 344 free throws. Shooting guard Robert “Bingo” Smith had 1,101 total points and 341 rebounds, making 495 of 1,121 field goal shots and 111 of 136 free throws. Shooting guard Dick Snyder had 1,037 points and 220 assists, making 441 of 881 field goal shots and 155 of 188 free throws.

Point guard Jim Cleamons had 1,000 points, 354 rebounds, 428 assists and 124 steals, making 413 of 887 field goal shots and 174 of 218 free throws. Power forward Jim Brewer had 940 points and 891 rebounds, making 400 of 874 field goal shots and 140 of 214 free throws. Shooting guard Austin Carr had 658 points, making 276 of 625 field goal shots and 106 of 134 free throws. Point guard Clarence “Boots” Walker had 370 points, 288 assists and 98 steals, making 84 of 108 free throws.

During the course of the regular season no one would have thought that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be a team that would go on a couple lengthy winning streaks, but this would indeed be the case. The first long winning streak of note for Cleveland would be a 7-game winning streak. This streak began with a 109-95 win over the New York Knicks on December 11, and this streak ended with a very tight 99-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 21. The second long winning streak the Cavaliers enjoyed would be an 8-game winning streak. This streak began with a close 92-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on February 6, and the streak ended with a close 107-103 victory over the Houston Rockets on February 22.

Having won 49 regular season games, the most in franchise history at the time, the Cavaliers would establish a franchise first, and it would be their first ever appearance in the playoffs. Their first test in the postseason was an imposing one as they would face the Washington Bullets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The #2 Seed Cavaliers would survive the series, winning 4 games to 3.

In Game 1 on April 13 at the Coliseum at Richfield the Bullets beat the Cavaliers 100-95. In Game 2 on April 15 at the Capital Centre the Cavaliers rebounded to win 80-79. Bingo Smith had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Dick Snyder had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. In Game 3 on April 17 at the Coliseum at Richfield the Cavaliers won 88-76. Smith had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Austin Carr had 17 points and 3 rebounds. Jim Cleamons had 14 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.

In Game 4 on April 21 at the Capital Centre the Bullets won 109-98. In Game 5 on April 22 at the Coliseum at Richfield the Cavaliers barely edged out the Bullets 92-91. Snyder had 26 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists. Carr had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. In Game 6 on April 26 at the Capital Centre the Bullets beat the Cavaliers 102-98 in overtime. In the deciding Game 7 on April 29 at the Coliseum at Richfield the Cavaliers stepped up just enough to put away the Bullets with a narrow 87-85 victory. Dick Snyder led the offensive charge with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Having won their first playoff series in franchise history, the Cleveland Cavaliers were hoping to build on this newly found momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals as they would face a storied basketball franchise in the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers their run would end as the Celtics eliminated them 4 games to 2.

The middle games of the series belonged to Cleveland, starting with Game 3 on May 11 at the Coliseum at Richfield. The Cavaliers won 83-78. Jim Cleamons had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Austin Carr had 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. In Game 4 on May 14 the Cavaliers won again at home by the score of 106-87. Cleveland gave itself a good enough cushion on the scoreboard with the help of players like Bingo Smith, who had 27 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Jim Cleamons had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Austin Carr had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

The next 2 years saw the Cleveland Cavaliers go back to the playoffs, but only for them to experience early exits. After the 1977-1978 campaign, the Cavaliers would have to wait 6 more years before getting another shot in the playoffs.