The 2010–11 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 41st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They finished the regular season with 19 wins and 63 losses, the team's worst record since 2002–03. This was also their first season since then without LeBron James, who was not on the roster as he left the team in the offseason to join the Miami Heat. The team also updated their logo and uniforms with a new color scheme, particularly the original shades of wine and gold used from 1970 to 1983.
The offseason included James becoming a free agent and signing with the Heat alongside Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Cavaliers also missed the playoffs for the first time since James' sophomore season in 2005, as well as posting a then-record 26 game losing streak spanning from December 20, 2010, to February 11, 2011, beginning the losing streak with a 90–101 loss to the Utah Jazz, but finally ending their losing streak with a 126–119 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Key dates
June 24 – The 2010 NBA draft was held in New York City. July 1 – The free agency period started. July 2 – Byron Scott hired as new head coach. July 8 – LeBron James announces that he will leave Cleveland and play for the Miami Heat. July 23 – The Cavaliers sign with the 2009 first-round pick, Christian Eyenga. July 26 – The Cavaliers traded Delonte West to the Boston Celtics and Sebastian Telfair to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ramon Sessions, Ryan Hollins and a 2013 second round Draft pick. July 30 – The Cavs sign with the free agent Joey Graham. August 16 – The Cavaliers sign with the Jamaican undrafted rookie, Samardo Samuels. September 20 – Jawad Williams resigns with the Cavaliers. September 28 – The Training Camp begins. October 5 – The Cavaliers open the pre-season with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, in Quicken Loans Arena. October 19 – After the victory over the Philadelphia 76ers the Cavs waived Danny Green and Manny Harris made the season roster. October 21 – The Cavaliers close the pre-season with a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and with a 6–2 record, in Schottenstein Center. October 27 – The Cavaliers open the regular reason with a victory over the Boston Celtics, in Quicken Loans Arena. November 18 – Christian Eyenga is sent to the Erie BayHawks, the Cavaliers' and Raptor's NBA D-League affiliate. December 27 – Jawad Williams is waived and Samardo Samuels is assigned to the NBA D-League. December 28 – The Cavaliers sign Alonzo Gee. January 1 – The Cavs recall Samardo Samuels, from the NBA D-League. January 2 – Eyenga is recalled from the Erie BayHawks. February 11 – The Cavaliers snap an NBA record 26 game losing streak with a 126–119 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. February 24 – The Cavs acquired the former All-Star Baron Davis and a 2011 First Round Draft Pick, from the L.A. Clippers, that received Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. The Cavs also sent a 2013 Second-Round Pick to the Boston Celtics, for Luke Harangody and Semih Erden. To clear the roster capacity, Leon Powe was waived. March 15 – The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks, and with this result, the Cavaliers are eliminated from the Playoffs. April 8 – Joe Tait is honored in the Quicken Loans Arena, and an honorary microphone banner is placed beside the other retired jerseys, on the rafters. April 13 – The Cavaliers finish the season, defeating the Washington Wizards, in The Q, and with a 19–63 record.
Draft picks
The Cleveland Cavaliers had no picks in the 2010 NBA draft, along with Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Bobcats.
Roster
Pre-season 2010 Pre-season game log: 6–2 (Home: 4–2; Road: 2–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home Decision Attendance Record Recap 1 October 5 (in Quicken Loans Arena) Charlotte Bobcats 72 – 87 Cleveland Cavaliers Won Not announced 1-0 1 2 October 7 (in Quicken Loans Arena) Washington Wizards 97 – 83 Cleveland Cavaliers Lost 19,124 1-1 2 3 October 10 (in Toyota Center) Cleveland Cavaliers 99 – 93 Houston Rockets Won 11,095 2-1 3 4 October 11 (in American Airlines Center) Cleveland Cavaliers 85 – 79 Dallas Mavericks Won 16,673 3-1 4 5 October 14 (in Petersen Events Center) San Antonio Spurs 80 – 106 Cleveland Cavaliers Won 5,121 4-1 5 6 October 16 (in Quicken Loans Arena) CSKA Moscow (Russia) 90 – 87 Cleveland Cavaliers Lost 20,263 4-2 6 7 October 19 (in U.S. Bank Arena) Philadelphia 76ers 95 – 111 Cleveland Cavaliers Won 6,217 5-2 7 8 October 21 (in Value City Arena) Milwaukee Bucks 77 – 83 Cleveland Cavaliers Won 7,092 6-2 8
Regular season
Standings
Game log
|- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | October 27 | Boston Celtics | | J. J. Hickson (21) | Anderson Varejão (10) | Daniel Gibson (8) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | October 29 | @ Toronto Raptors | | Antawn Jamison (13) | Jamario Moon, J. J. Hickson (6) | Ramon Sessions (4) | Air Canada Centre 15,711 | 1–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | October 30 | Sacramento Kings | | Ramon Sessions (21) | Anderson Varejão (9) | Daniel Gibson (7) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 1–2
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | November 2, 2010 | Atlanta | | J. J. Hickson (31) | Anderson Varejão (12) | Anderson Varejão,Ramon Sessions (3) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 1–3 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | November 5 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | | Anderson Varejão (23) | Anderson Varejão (12) | Mo Williams (7) | Wells Fargo Center 10,589 | 2–3 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | November 6 | @ Washington Wizards | | Mo Williams (28) | Anderson Varejão (11) | Jamario Moon (5) | Verizon Center 14,442 | 3–3 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 7 | November 9 | @ New Jersey Nets | | J. J. Hickson (18) | J. J. Hickson (10) | Mo Williams (7) | Prudential Center 10,188 | 4–3 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 8 | November 10 | New Jersey Nets | | J. J. Hickson (15) | Antawn Jamison (9) | Anthony Parker,Daniel Gibson (5) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 4–4 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | November 13 | Indiana Pacers | | Antawn Jamison (19) | Antawn Jamison (9) | Ramon Sessions (5) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 4–5 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 10 | November 16 | Philadelphia 76ers | | Daniel Gibson (18) | Jamario Moon (8) | Ramon Sessions,Daniel Gibson (8) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 5–5 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 11 | November 19 | @ New Orleans Hornets | | Antawn Jamison (20) | Anderson Varejão (13) | Ramon Sessions (5) | New Orleans Arena 14,755 | 5–6 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 20 | @ San Antonio Spurs | | Mo Williams (21) | Anderson Varejão (9) | Mo Williams (6) | AT&T Center 16,982 | 5–7 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 13 | November 23 | @ Indiana Pacers | | Daniel Gibson,Ramon Sessions (15) | Anderson Varejão,Antawn Jamison (10) | Ramon Sessions (5) | Conseco Fieldhouse 12,629 | 5–8 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | November 24 | Milwaukee Bucks | | Mo Williams (25) | Anderson Varejão (13) | Mo Williams,Ramon Sessions (5) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 6–8 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 15 | November 26 | @ Orlando Magic | | Antawn Jamison (22) | Antawn Jamison (7) | Mo Williams (8) | Amway Center 18,846 | 6–9 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 16 | November 27 | Memphis Grizzlies | | Mo Williams (25) | Anderson Varejão (11) | Mo Williams (12) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 7–9 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 17 | November 30 | Boston Celtics | | Anderson Varejão,Daniel Gibson (16) | Anderson Varejão (12) | Mo Williams,Ramon Sessions (4) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 7–10
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | December 2 | Miami Heat | | Daniel Gibson (21) | Anderson Varejão (8) | Mo Williams (4) | Quicken Loans Arena 20,562 | 7–11 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 19 | December 4 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | | Ramon Sessions (18) | Leon Powe,Jawad Williams (6) | Ramon Sessions (6) | Target Center14,422 | 7–12 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 20 | December 5 | @ Detroit Pistons | | Antawn Jamison (22) | Anderson Varejão (14) | Mo Williams (10) | The Palace of Auburn Hills13,081 | 7–13 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 7 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | | J. J. Hickson (18) | Anderson Varejão (8) | Mo Williams (7) | Wells Fargo Center10,662 | 7–14 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 22 | December 8 | Chicago Bulls | | Antawn Jamison (21) | Anderson Varejão (12) | Mo Williams (10) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 7–15 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 23 | December 11 | @ Houston Rockets | | Antawn Jamison (24) | Anderson Varejão (8) | Mo Williams (9) | Toyota Center15,532 | 7–16 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 12 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | | Anthony Parker (12) | Anderson Varejão (16) | Mo Williams (4) | Oklahoma City Arena18,203 | 7–17 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 25 | December 15 | @ Miami Heat | | Daniel Gibson (26) | Anderson Varejão (15) | Mo Williams (9) | American Airlines Arena19,899 | 7–18 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 17 | @ Indiana Pacers | | Mo Williams (22) | Antawn Jamison (7) | Mo Williams (11) | Conseco Fieldhouse12,021 | 7–19 |- bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 27 | December 18 | New York Knicks | | Mo Williams (23) | Anderson Varejão (17) | Mo Williams (14) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–19 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 20 | Utah Jazz | | Daniel Gibson (29) | J. J. Hickson (9) | Mo Williams (10) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–20 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 29 | December 22, 2010 | @ Atlanta | | Antawn Jamison (23) | Anderson Varejão (13) | Mo Williams (11) | Philips Arena12,610 | 8–21 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | December 26 | Minnesota Timberwolves | | Antawn Jamison (24) | Anderson Varejão (12) | Mo Williams (11) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–22 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | December 28 | Orlando Magic | | Antawn Jamison (21) | Anderson Varejão (9) | Mo Williams (8) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–23 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | December 29 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | | Ramon Sessions (22) | Anderson Varejão (10) | Anthony Parker (6) | Time Warner Cable Arena15,287 | 8–24
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 1 | @ Chicago Bulls | | J. J. Hickson (21) | Antawn Jamison (9) | Anthony Parker (8) | United Center21,416 | 8–25 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 2 | Dallas Mavericks | | Antawn Jamison (35) | Antawn Jamison (10) | Ramon Sessions (12) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–26 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 35 | January 5 | Toronto Raptors | | Antawn Jamison (32) | Anderson Varejão (8) | Mo Williams (9) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–27 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 7 | @ Golden State Warriors | | Antawn Jamison (21) | Manny Harris (10) | Mo Williams (7) | Oracle Arena18,858 | 8–28 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 37 | January 9 | @ Phoenix Suns | | Manny Harris (27) | J. J. Hickson (17) | Mo Williams (12) | US Airways Center17,031 | 8–29 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 38 | January 11 | @ L.A. Lakers | | Alonzo Gee (12) | Alonzo Gee,Antawn Jamison (8) | Ramon Sessions (4) | Staples Center18,997 | 8–30 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 14 | @ Utah Jazz | | Antawn Jamison (26) | J. J. Hickson (14) | Mo Williams (10) | EnergySolutions Arena19,911 | 8–31 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 40 | January 15 | @ Denver Nuggets | | Ramon Sessions (21) | J. J. Hickson (9) | Ramon Sessions (9) | Pepsi Center17,668 | 8–32 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 41 | January 19 | Phoenix Suns | | Antawn Jamison (23) | J. J. Hickson (15) | Ramon Sessions (8) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–33 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 42 | January 21 | Milwaukee Bucks | | Antawn Jamison,Ramon Sessions (22) | Samardo Samuels (6) | Daniel Gibson (8) | Quicken Loans Arena20,562 | 8–34 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 43 | January 22 | @ Chicago Bulls | | Antawn Jamison (31) | J. J. Hickson (20) | Daniel Gibson,Antawn Jamison (5) | United Center21,389 | 8–35 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | January 24 | @ New Jersey Nets | | Antawn Jamison (26) | Antawn Jamison,J. J. Hickson (8) | Ramon Sessions (6) | Prudential Center10,197 | 8–36 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | January 25 | @ Boston Celtics | | Christian Eyenga (15) | J. J. Hickson (17) | Ramon Sessions (7) | TD Garden18,624 | 8–37 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | January 28 | Denver Nuggets | | J. J. Hickson (24) | J. J. Hickson (14)