The 2009–10 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 40th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Cavaliers bested the season with a 61-21 record, earning them first place. The season saw LeBron James win his second MVP award.
After defeating the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls in the first round, the Cavs couldn't go any further as they lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. Following the season, head coach Mike Brown was fired, James signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, but would return to the Cavaliers in 2014, Shaquille O'Neal signed as a free agent with the Celtics and Zydrunas Ilgauskas also left the team to join the Heat.
After LeBron's departure, the Cavaliers did not make the playoffs again until 2015.
June 25 – The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York City. The Cavs also acquire Shaquille O'Neal, in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.
July 8 – The free agency period started.
July 13 – The Cavs sign with Anthony Parker.
July 19 – Jamario Moon signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
August 12 – The Cavaliers sign with Leon Powe.
October 6 – The Cavs open the Pre-Season, with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, in The Q.
October 21 – The Cavs close the Pre-Season, losing to the Boston Celtics, in the Value City Arena.
October 27 – The Cleveland Cavaliers open the Regular Season, and are defeated by the Boston Celtics, in Quicken Loans Arena.
February 17 – The Cavs acquire Antawn Jamison and Sebastian Telfair, in a three-team trade, with the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers.
March 17 – The Cavaliers clinched the Central Division title for the second straight year, and the third time in franchise history.
March 23 – The Cavs waive Darnell Jackson and sign with Žydrūnas Ilgauskas.
April 2 – The Cavaliers clinched best record in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year, and the second time in franchise history.
April 4 – The Cavaliers clinched the best record in the league, and thus home court advantage throughout the playoffs for the second straight year, and the second time in franchise history.
April 14 – The Cavs close the Regular Season, with a loss against the Atlanta Hawks and a 61–21 record.
April 17 – The Cleveland Cavaliers open the First Round of the Playoffs, with a 96-83 victory, over the Chicago Bulls, in The Q.
April 27 – The Cavaliers close the First Round Series at 4–1, with a 96–94 victory over the Bulls, in The Q.
May 1 – The Cavs open the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with a 101–93 victory, over the Celtics, in the Quicken Loans Arena.
May 13- The Cavaliers lose in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, at 4–2 to the underdog Boston Celtics.
May 24 – Head Coach Mike Brown was fired.
Stats with the Cavaliers
1Did not start or finish the season with the Cavs.
LeBron James – NBA Most Valuable Player (2x)
LeBron James – All-NBA First Team (4x)
LeBron James – NBA All-Defensive First Team (2x)
Anderson Varejão – NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1x)
LeBron James – Player of the Week (6x)
LeBron James – Player of the Month (4x)
Mike Brown – Coach of the Month (December)
LeBron James – NBA All-Star Game Selection (6x)
December 2, 2009: Zydrunas Ilgauskas set the record for most games played as a Cavalier with 771 and moved into third place on the Cavaliers' all-time scoring list behind LeBron James and Brad Daugherty.
On March 19, 2010, LeBron James set a record as the youngest player in NBA history to record 15,000 career points.
At the end of the season, LeBron James was the all-time scoring leader of the Cavs, with 15,251 points.
On May 11, the Cavaliers suffered their worst playoffs defeat, against the Boston Celtics, by a margin of 32 points.
On December 23, the Cavaliers set a franchise record and tied with the NBA record of fewest points allowed in an OT period, against Sacramento Kings.
Daniel Gibson reached 200 career games and 5,000 minutes.*
Danny Green played his first season in the NBA.*
J.J. Hickson reached 100 career games and 2,000 minutes.*
Zydrunas Ilgauskas reached 21,000 minutes and 4,000 field goals made.*
LeBron James reached 15,000 career points, 500 career games, 22,000 minutes, 5,000 field goals made, 11,000 field goals attempted, 2,000 three-point shots attempted, 3,000 defensives rebounds, 1,000 fouls and 2,000 Playoffs points.*
Cedric Jackson played his first season in the NBA.*
Antawn Jamison reached 17,000 career points and 31,000 minutes.
Jamario Moon reached 200 career games, 5,000 minutes and 1,000 rebounds.
Shaquille O'Neal reached 41,000 minutes, 11,000 field goals made, 19,000 field goals attempted, 11,000 free-throws attempted, 3,000 assists and 4,000 fouls.
Anthony Parker reached 300 career games, 10,000 minutes, 1,000 three-point shots attempted, 1,000 defensives rebounds, 1,000 rebounds and 3,000 career points.
Leon Powe reached 200 career games.
Anderson Varejão reached 9,000 minutes, 1,000 field goals made, 2,000 field goals attempted, 1,000 free throws attempted and 1,000 fouls.*
Delonte West reached 10,000 minutes, 3,000 field goals attempted and 1,000 rebounds.
Mo Williams reached 14,000 minutes, 5,000 field goals attempted, 1,000 free-throws attempted, 2,000 assists, 1,000 turnovers and 6,000 points.
*Spent the entire NBA Career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, until reach these Milestones.
On December 30, the Cavs reached 3,200 regular seasons games, against the Atlanta Hawks.
On February 4, the Cavs reached 1,500 regular seasons victories against the Miami Heat.
On April 14, the Cavs reached 1,800 combined regular and post-seasons defeats, against the Atlanta Hawks
On May 7, the Cavs reached 70 post-season wins, against the Boston Celtics.
The Cavaliers reached 30 playoff series, against the Boston Celtics.
Injuries, Surgeries and Absences
Leon Powe – Knee surgery (before arriving Cleveland)
Jamario Moon – Abdominal Injury
Mo Williams – Left Shoulder Injury
Anderson Varejão – Left Hamstring Injury
Shaquille O'Neal – Right Thumb Surgery
LeBron James – Right Elbow Injury
