2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio.^[1] 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.

2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Head coach	Paul Silas
General manager	Jim Paxson
President	Jim Paxson
Owners	Gordon Gund George Gund III
Arena	Gund Arena
Results
Record	35–47 (.427)
Place	Division: 5th (Central) Conference: 9th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	Fox Sports Net Ohio · WUAB
Radio	WTAM
< 2002–03 2004–05 >

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.^[2]

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.

Draft picks

Main article: 2003 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	1	LeBron James	Small Forward	USA	St. Vincent-St.Mary (Akron, OH)
2	31	Jason Kapono	Forward	USA	UCLA

Roster

2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From F/C 4 Battie, Tony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976-02-11 Texas Tech F 1 Boozer, Carlos 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 258 lb (117 kg) 1981-11-20 Duke SF 5 Brown, Kedrick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1981-03-18 Northwest Florida State C 52 Diop, DeSagana 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1982-01-30 Oak Hill Academy (HS) C 11 Ilgauskas, Zydrunas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1975-06-05 Lithuania F 23 James, LeBron 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1984-12-30 St. Vincent-St. Mary (HS) F 24 Kapono, Jason 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1981-02-04 UCLA G 0 McInnis, Jeff 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1974-10-22 North Carolina F 54 Nailon, Lee 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1975-02-22 TCU F 14 Newble, Ira 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975-01-20 Miami (OH) G 12 Ollie, Kevin 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1972-12-27 Connecticut SG 2 Wagner, Dajuan 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1983-02-04 Memphis F 55 Williams, Eric  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972-07-17 Providence

Head coach Paul Silas Assistant coach(es) Bob Donewald Jr. Mark Osowski Stephen Silas Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: April 6, 2004

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.^[3] 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.^[4] He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season,^[5] 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.^[6] The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.^[7]

Standings

Central Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Indiana Pacers	61	21	.744	–	34–7	27–14	20–8
x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	7	31–10	23–18	17–11
x-New Orleans Hornets	41	41	.500	20	25–16	16–25	14–14
x-Milwaukee Bucks	41	41	.500	20	27–14	14–27	15–13
Cleveland Cavaliers	35	47	.427	26	23–18	12–29	14–14
Toronto Raptors	33	49	.402	28	18–23	15–26	11–17
Atlanta Hawks	28	54	.341	33	18–23	10–31	10–18
Chicago Bulls	23	59	.280	38	14–27	9–32	11–17

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Indiana Pacers	61	21	.744	–
2	y-New Jersey Nets	47	35	.573	14
3	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	7
4	x-Miami Heat	42	40	.512	19
5	x-New Orleans Hornets	41	41	.500	20
6	x-Milwaukee Bucks	41	41	.500	20
7	x-New York Knicks	39	43	.476	22
8	x-Boston Celtics	36	46	.439	25
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	35	47	.427	26
10	Toronto Raptors	33	49	.402	28
11	Philadelphia 76ers	33	49	.402	28
12	Atlanta Hawks	28	54	.341	33
13	Washington Wizards	25	57	.305	36
14	Chicago Bulls	23	59	.280	38
15	Orlando Magic	21	61	.256	40

Record vs. opponents

2003-04 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MEM	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NOH	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	3–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–2	0–3	1–3	1–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–2	2–2
Boston	1–3	–	1–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	0–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	3–1
Chicago	1–3	2–1	–	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–3	2–2	2–2	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–0	1–1	1–3
Cleveland	3–1	1–3	2–2	–	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	0–2	1–2	3–1	4–0	2–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	2–2
Dallas	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	–	2–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	2–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	3–1	3–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	1–1
Denver	0–2	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	–	0–2	3–1	2–2	0–2	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	3–1	2–0
Detroit	3–1	3–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	–	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	3–0
Golden State	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	1–1	–	2–2	0–2	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	2–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–2	1–1
Houston	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–2	1–1	2–2	–	1–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–3	3–1	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–0
Indiana	4–0	3–1	3–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	–	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–1
L.A. Clippers	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–2	–	1–3	0–4	0–2	2–0	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	3–1	–	2–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–0
Memphis	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–2	0–2	3–1	3–1	1–1	4–0	2–2	–	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–2	2–2	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–0
Miami	3–1	2–2	4–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	–	1–2	0–2	3–2	3–1	1–3	4–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–1	1–1	4–0
Milwaukee	2–2	3–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–1	–	0–2	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	3–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	3–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	2–0
New Jersey	3–1	2–2	3–0	2–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	–	2–1	3–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	1–1	4–0
New Orleans	2–2	4–0	2–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–2	–	1–2	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	3–1
New York	3–0	3–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–1	–	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	4–0
Orlando	3–1	1–3	1–3	1–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–3	–	2–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–2	1–1	4–0
Philadelphia	2–1	1–3	4–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–2	3–1	1–2	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–3	2–2	–	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	2–2
Phoenix	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	0–4	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	–	2–2	1–3	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–3	1–1
Portland	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	–	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–1	2–2	1–1
Sacramento	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	4–0	2–0	4–0	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	–	2–2	3–1	2–0	3–1	1–1
San Antonio	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	4–0	4–0	2–2	–	4–0	2–0	4–0	2–0
Seattle	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–3	3–1	0–2	4–0	1–3	3–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	–	1–1	1–3	1–1
Toronto	3–1	1–3	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–2	1–3	0–2	2–2	3–1	1–3	2–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	–	1–1	1–3
Utah	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–2	0–2	3–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	1–3	0–4	3–1	1–1	–	1–1
Washington	2–2	1–3	3–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–4	0–4	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	—

Game log

2003–04 game log Total: 35–47 (Home: 23–18; Road: 12–29)
October: 0–2 (home: 0–0; road: 0–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 29 @ Sacramento L 92–106 LeBron James (25) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (9) ARCO Arena 17,317 0–1 2 October 30 @ Phoenix L 86–95 Ricky Davis (22) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (8) America West Arena 18,422 0–2
November : 4–11 (home: 4–3; road: 0–8) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 3 November 1 @ Portland L 85–104 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) Carlos Boozer (9) Ricky Davis (7) Rose Garden 20,610 0–3 4 November 5 Denver L 89–93 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (23) LeBron James (11) James, Ollie (7) Gund Arena 20,562 0–4 5 November 7 @ Indiana L 90–91 LeBron James (23) Ricky Davis (12) Ricky Davis (10) Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345 0–5 6 November 8 Washington W 111–98 Miles, Davis (26) James, Davis, Boozer (8) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena 17,706 1–5 7 November 10 New York W 94–80 Chris Mihm (19) Carlos Boozer (8) Ricky Davis (8) Gund Arena 16,422 2–5 8 November 12 @ Miami L 83–88 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20) Carlos Boozer (16) LeBron James (7) American Airlines Arena 15,329 2–6 9 November 14 @ Boston L 82–91 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22) Carlos Boozer (11) Ricky Davis (6) FleetCenter 18,624 2–7 10 November 15 Philadelphia W 91–88 (OT) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (28) Carlos Boozer (15) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena 20,562 3–7 11 November 18 L.A. Clippers W 103–95 Ricky Davis (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena 16,176 4–7 12 November 19 @ Washington L 95–106 LeBron James (28) Chris Mihm (12) James, Ollie (8) MCI Center 19,705 4–8 13 November 21 Minnesota L 83–97 LeBron James (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Ricky Davis (6) Gund Arena 19,269 4–9 14 November 22 @ Atlanta L 83–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) Ricky Davis (6) Philips Arena 19,445 4–10 15 November 26 @ New Orleans L 72–82 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20) James, Mihm (8) LeBron James (9) New Orleans Arena 16,410 4–11 16 November 28 @ Detroit L 88–92 Ricky Davis (25) Chris Mihm (13) LeBron James (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076 4–12 17 November 29 Memphis L 115–122 (2OT) LeBron James (33) LeBron James (16) James, Davis (7) Gund Arena 18,102 4–13
December : 6–9 (home: 4–5; road: 2–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 18 December 2 @ Denver L 103–115 LeBron James (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13) Davis, James (5) Pepsi Center 19,610 4–14 19 December 3 @ L.A. Clippers L 80–90 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Carlos Boozer (21) LeBron James (8) Staples Center 17,445 4–15 20 December 6 Atlanta W 95–85 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (10) LeBron James (5) Gund Arena 17,390 5–15 21 December 9 Toronto L 93–100 LeBron James (18) Ira Newble (10) Ricky Davis (6) Gund Arena 16,139 5–16 22 December 11 Detroit W 95–86 Carlos Boozer (28) Chris Mihm (10) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena 15,115 6–16 23 December 13 Boston L 98–105 LeBron James (37) Carlos Boozer (15) Ricky Davis (8) Gund Arena 17,353 6–17 24 December 15 @ Indiana L 85–95 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7) LeBron James (6) Conseco Fieldhouse 14,951 6–18 25 December 17 Houston L 85–89 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (11) Kevin Ollie (6) Gund Arena 14,567 6–19 26 December 19 @ Philadelphia W 88–81 LeBron James (36) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9) Kevin Ollie (12) Wachovia Center 20,761 7–19 27 December 20 @ Chicago W 95–87 LeBron James (32) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) LeBron James (10) United Center 22,282 8–19 28 December 23 New Orleans W 97–86 LeBron James (22) Carlos Boozer (14) J. R. Bremer (4) Gund Arena 16,609 9–19 29 December 25 @ Orlando L 101–113 (OT) LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (19) LeBron James (6) TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283 9–20 30 December 26 Chicago L 80–87 LeBron James (18) Carlos Boozer (14) Darius Miles (5) Gund Arena 20,562 9–21 31 December 28 Portland W 86–74 LeBron James (32) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena 18,109 10–21 32 December 30 Indiana L 89–92 LeBron James (22) Carlos Boozer (11) Carlos Boozer (6) Gund Arena 18,648 10–22
January : 7–7 (home: 5–1; road: 2–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 33 January 2 @ New Jersey L 82–97 Carlos Boozer (16) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (9) Continental Airlines Arena 19,968 10–23 34 January 6 New York W 107–96 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Tony Battie (8) LeBron James (10) Gund Arena 15,277 11–23 35 January 7 @ Toronto L 69–75 LeBron James (21) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) LeBron James (5) Air Canada Centre 19,874 11–24 36 January 9 @ Boston L 82–107 LeBron James (19) Tony Battie (13) LeBrob James (6) FleetCenter 18,624 11–25 37 January 12 @ L.A. Lakers L 79–89 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (12) LeBron James (7) Staples Center 18,997 11–26 38 January 13 @ Seattle W 104–96 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (9) KeyArena 17,072 12–26 39 January 15 @ Golden State L 102–119 LeBron James (29) Carlos Boozer (10) LeBron James (6) The Arena in Oakland 19,602 12–27 40 January 17 @ Utah W 102–96 (OT) Carlos Boozer (32) Carlos Boozer (18) Eric Williams (5) Delta Center 19,622 13–27 41 January 20 Seattle W 99–94 Carlos Boozer (32) Carlos Boozer (20) Carlos Boozer (4) Gund Arena 14,048 14–27 42 January 22 Sacramento L 89–95 Dajuan Wagner (20) Carlos Boozer (11) Kevin Ollie (9) Gund Arena 17,720 14–28 43 January 24 Philadelphia W 95–87 Eric Williams (20) Carlos Boozer (15) Jeff McInnis (6) Gund Arena 20,562 15–28 44 January 26 Orlando W 99–98 Carlos Boozer (23) Carlos Boozer (16) Jeff McInnis (7) Gund Arena 14,382 16–28 45 January 28 Miami W 94–93 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) Jeff McInnis (8) Gund Arena 14,433 17–28 46 January 30 @ Milwaukee L 95–101 LeBron James (20) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) Jeff McInnis (5) Bradley Center 18,717 17–29
February : 7–6 (home: 3–4; road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 47 February 1 @ Washington W 104–100 LeBron James (38) Carlos Boozer (14) Jeff McInnis (9) MCI Center 15,541 18–29 48 February 3 @ Detroit W 85–82 Carlos Booxer (21) Carlos Boozer (15) LeBron James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076 19–29 49 February 4 L.A. Lakers L 106–111 (OT) LeBron James (32) Carlos Boozer (16) Carlos Boozer (7) Gund Arena 20,562 19–30 50 February 6 @ Minnesota L 92–103 Jeff McInnis (21) James, Boozer (9) James, McInnis (5) Target Center 19,212 19–31 51 February 7 Washington L 88–106 Carlos Boozer (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (6) Gund Arena 20,562 19–32 52 February 9 Boston W 97–89 LeBron James (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena 15,146 20–32 53 February 11 New Jersey L 85–105 Eric Williams (14) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17) McInnis, James (5) Gund Arena 15,074 20–33 54 February 18 Dallas L 98–114 Carlos Boozer (24) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena 18,349 20–34 55 February 20 San Antonio W 89–87 LeBron James (32) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Jeff McInnis (8) Gund Arena 20,562 21–34 56 February 22 @ New York W 92–86 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (31) Carlos Boozer (17) Jeff McInnis (4) Madison Square Garden 19,763 22–34 57 February 23 New Orleans W 104–100 Carlos Boozer (24) Carlos Boozer (9) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena 17,093 23–34 58 February 25 @ Houston L 84–90 McInnins, Ilgauskas (17) Carlos Boozer (18) Jeff McInnis (10) Toyota Center 18,184 23–35 59 February 27 @ Orlando W 112–107 (OT) LeBron James (30) Carlos Boozer (16) Jeff McInnis (10) TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283 24–35
March : 8–7 (home: 5–3; road: 3–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 60 March 1 @ Chicago L 81–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (6) United Center 19,203 24–36 61 March 3 Atlanta W 112–80 LeBron James (24) Carlos Boozer (15) Jeff McInnis (9) Gund Arena 20,562 25–36 62 March 5 @ New Orleans W 88–85 LeBron James (19) Eric Williams (11) Jeff McInnis (11) New Orleans Arena 17,795 26–36 63 March 6 Milwaukee W 106–97 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (12) Gund Arena 20,562 27–36 64 March 8 @ Atlanta W 108–102 LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (11) Jeff McInnis (10) Philips Arena 14,050 28–36 65 March 10 @ Toronto W 106–92 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30) Carlos Boozer (13) Jeff McInnis (7) Air Canada Centre 17,459 29–36 66 March 14 Indiana W 107–104 LeBron James (26) Boozer, Ilgauskas (9) Jeff McInnis (10) Gund Arena 20,562 30–36 67 March 16 Chicago W 111–87 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17) LeBron James (8) Gund Arena 17,776 31–36 68 March 19 Utah L 88–97 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (7) Gund Arena 20,562 31–37 69 March 21 Detroit L 76–96 Carlos Boozer (21) Carlos Boozer (17) Kevin Ollie (8) Gund Arena 20,562 31–38 70 March 23 Phoenix L 86–103 LeBron James (25) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (6) Gund Arena 19,024 31–39 71 March 26 @ Philadelphia L 71–86 LeBron James (16) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (7) Wachovia Center 20,804 31–40 72 March 27 New Jersey W 107–104 LeBron James (41) Carlos Boozer (11) LeBron James (13) Gund Arena 20,562 32–40 73 March 29 @ San Antonio L 91–103 James, Ilgauskas (18) Ilgauskas, Diop (6) Ollie, Battie (5) SBC Center 18,797 32–41 74 March 30 @ Dallas L 109–126 LeBron James (28) Carlos Boozer (20) James, Ollie, Cleaves (6) American Airlines Center 20,575 32–42
April : 3–5 (home: 2–2; road: 1–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 75 April 2 @ Milwaukee L 89–107 Carlos Boozer (26) Carlos Boozer (11) Mateen Cleaves (8) Bradley Center 17,813 32–43 76 April 3 Golden State L 100–103 LeBron James (34) Carlos Boozer (13) LeBron James (10) Gund Arena 20,562 32–44 77 April 6 Toronto L 86–87 LeBron James (21) Boozer, Ilgauskas (15) Jeff McInnis (10) Gund Arena 20,071 32–45 78 April 7 @ Memphis L 74–92 Dajuan Wagner (18) Carlos Boozer (8) Jeff McInnis (6) Pyramid Arena 19,351 32–46 79 April 9 @ Miami L 91–106 LeBron James (24) James, Ilgauskas (7) LeBron James (8) American Airlines Arena 20,213 32–47 80 April 10 Miami W 91–80 Jeff McInnis (16) Carlos Boozer (14) LeBron James (11) Gund Arena 20,562 33–47 81 April 12 Milwaukee W 93–89 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14) LeBron James (9) Gund Arena 20,562 34–47 82 April 14 @ New York W 100–90 Jeff McInnis (19) Carlos Boozer (12) Jeff McInnis (7) Madison Square Garden 19,763 35–47
2003–04 schedule

Player stats

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Regular season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Tony Battie*	50	1	19.5	.427	.125	.768	4.8	.7	.36	.94	5.4
Carlos Boozer	75	75	34.6	.523	.167	.768	11.4	2.0	.99	.73	15.5
Kedrick Brown*	34	16	16.5	.465	.388	.643	2.3	1.1	.38	.15	5.3
Mateen Cleaves	4	2	23.0	.304	.000	.500	1.8	4.8	1.00	.50	3.8
DeSagana Diop	56	3	13.0	.388	.000	.600	3.6	.6	.46	.91	2.3
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas	81	81	31.3	.483	.286	.746	8.1	1.3	.48	2.48	15.3
LeBron James	79	79	39.5	.417	.290	.754	5.5	5.9	1.65	.73	20.9
Jason Kapono	41	3	10.4	.403	.477	.833	1.3	.3	.32	.05	3.5
Jelani McCoy	2	0	6.0	.000	.000	.000	2.0	.0	.00	.00	.0
Jeff McInnis*	31	31	35.4	.417	.388	.836	2.6	7.5	1.16	.13	11.7
Lee Nailon*	22	4	18.0	.451	.000	.800	3.0	.8	.18	.05	7.7
Ira Newble	64	25	19.5	.391	.105	.783	2.4	1.1	.39	.30	4.0
Kevin Ollie	82	7	17.1	.370	.444	.835	2.1	2.9	.62	.10	4.2
Dajuan Wagner	44	4	16.1	.366	.360	.681	1.3	1.2	.59	.16	6.5
Eric Williams*	50	36	27.5	.366	.253	.787	3.8	1.9	.96	.16	9.4

* 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

References

1. 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers
2. "Sports of The Times; Drafting A Savior? Be Careful". New York Times. June 27, 2003. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
3. basketball-reference.com, James 2003-04 Game Log^{[permanent dead link‍]}, accessed April 27, 2007.
4. espn.com, James receives 78 of 118 first-place votes, accessed May 7, 2007.
5. nba.com, LeBron James: Player Info Page Archived May 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 27, 2007.
6. nba.com, LeBron James: NBA Bio Archived May 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 27, 2007.
7. basketball-reference.com, 2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers, accessed April 27, 2007.

• Cleveland Cavaliers on Database Basketball
• Cleveland Cavaliers on Basketball Reference