Friday, October 30, 2020

Cavs Debut – October 28, 1970


It was fifty years ago this month that the new Cleveland franchise in the NBA played its home opener in the Cleveland Arena. The coach was Bill Fitch.

Unfortunately the Cavaliers lost to the San Diego Rockets, 110-99. 

Here’s the article that ran in the Journal the next day on Thursday, October 29, 1970.

For someone like me who never really followed the NBA too much, it’s kind of interesting seeing the names of some of the Cavaliers’ opponents back then. Their next game was against the Cincinnati Royals (who?). And the San Diego Rockets would relocate to Houston in 1971.

I can see why the team may have developed a ‘cavalier’ (heh-heh) attitude towards its name, eventually changing it in common usage to the shortened ‘Cavs.’ I never cared for the foppish musketeer mascot, and imagined him puncturing a basketball with his sword while babbling in French.
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2 comments:

  1. BusterOctober 30, 2020 at 11:46 AM

    I went to this game. The giveaway was a small commemorative wine glass for the toast mentioned in the article. Apparently the team intended to provide wine for the toast, then found out they couldn't do so. We raised our empty glasses in tribute nonetheless.

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  2. RickOctober 30, 2020 at 7:21 PM

    The best part of the early Cavaliers was the call of the game by Joe Tait. He could make even the most lopsided game sound exciting. One of best of the early players and a fan favorite was Bobby "Bingo" Smith. I can still hear Joe's call of "Bingo" whenever he hit a jump shot.

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