Changes

By 1974, the Cleveland Arena had fallen into disrepair, prompting the Cavaliers to move to the new Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio (roughly halfway between Cleveland and Akron).  The location was picked in part in an effort to draw fans from a wider radius of Northeast Ohio.  The team had their first winning season in 1975–76, winning the Central Division title, and being known in Cleveland sports lore as the "Miracle of Richfield".  The "Miracle" team had advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, but after starting center Jim Chones broke his ankle in practice, the team would lose in the conference finals to the Boston Celtics 4 games to 2. After two more playoff seasons, the team would go into a playoff drought.

By 1974, the Cleveland Arena had fallen into disrepair, prompting the Cavaliers to move to the new Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio (roughly halfway between Cleveland and Akron).  The location was picked in part in an effort to draw fans from a wider radius of Northeast Ohio.  The team had their first winning season in 1975–76, winning the Central Division title, and being known in Cleveland sports lore as the "Miracle of Richfield".  The "Miracle" team had advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, but after starting center Jim Chones broke his ankle in practice, the team would lose in the conference finals to the Boston Celtics 4 games to 2. After two more playoff seasons, the team would go into a playoff drought.

In 1980, businessman Ted Stepien purchased the team, and in his three years of ownership, the team would suffer from what was viewed as Stepien's questionable trades (especially regarding draft picks - leading the NBA to institute what was known as the "Stepien Rule" - in which a team could not trade their first round pick in consecutive years), as well as numerous head coaching changes and persistent rumors of the team moving to a new city.

In 1980, businessman Ted Stepien purchased the team, and in his three years of ownership, the team would suffer from what was viewed as Stepien's questionable trades (especially regarding draft picks - leading the NBA to institute what was known as the "Stepien Rule" - in which a team could not trade their first round pick in consecutive years prior to the draft), as well as numerous head coaching changes and persistent rumors of the team moving to a new city.

Cleveland businessmen George and Gordon Gund bought the team in 1983, with it bringing some stability.  From the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, under GM Wayne Embry, head coach Lenny Wilkens, and a core group of players including Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, John "Hot Rod" Williams, Larry Nance, and Craig Ehlo, the Cavs were a consistent playoff team, though were constantly stymied by the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls (including the infamous buzzer beating jumper by Jordan in the 1989 playoffs known in Cleveland sports lore as "The Shot").

Cleveland businessmen George and Gordon Gund bought the team in 1983, with it bringing some stability.  From the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, under GM Wayne Embry, head coach Lenny Wilkens, and a core group of players including Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, John "Hot Rod" Williams, Larry Nance, and Craig Ehlo, the Cavs were a consistent playoff team, though were constantly stymied by the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls (including the infamous buzzer beating jumper by Jordan in the 1989 playoffs known in Cleveland sports lore as "The Shot").