2011–12 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2011–12 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 42nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Key dates

• May 17 – The 2011 NBA Draft Lottery took place, and the Cavaliers got the first pick.
• June 23 – The 2011 NBA draft took place in Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center. The Cavaliers picked Kyrie Irving (#1), Tristan Thompson (#4), Milan Mačvan (#54). They also drafted Justin Harper (#32), but immediately traded him to the Orlando Magic for two future second-round picks (2013 and 2014).
• June 29 – The Cavs exercise the third-year option on Christian Eyenga, keeping him under contract until the 2012–13 season.
• June 30 – J.J. Hickson is sent to the Sacramento Kings, for Omri Casspi and a protected future first round pick.
• July 7 – The Cavaliers set an NBA D-League team in Canton, Ohio. The Cavs announced that they will own and control all the operations of the former Albuquerque/New Mexico Thunderbirds. On October 13, the new name, logo, colors and court design are unveiled, the Canton Charge.
• December 9 – Training Camp begins. The Cavs also signed with rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson. They also waived Joey Graham.
• December 12 – Anthony Parker re-signed with the Cavaliers.
• December 14 – The Cavs decided to waive Baron Davis.
• December 16 – The Cavaliers opened their pre-season with a victory over the Detroit Pistons in The Palace of Auburn Hills.
• December 20 – The Cavs closed their pre-season with a loss against the Pistons in Quicken Loans Arena, with a 1-1 record.
• December 22 – Manny Harris is waived by the Cavs.
• December 26 – The Cavaliers opened their season with a loss against the Toronto Raptors in the Quicken Loans Arena.
• January 4 – Christian Eyenga is assigned to the Canton Charge.
• January 23 – The Cavs recall Christian Eyenga.
• February 10 – The Cavaliers sign a 10-day contract with Ben Uzoh, of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
• February 21 – Manny Harris sign a 10-day contract with the Cavs.

Draft picks

Roster

Pre-season

The original 2011 NBA Pre-season was canceled due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. After the lockout, the NBA created a new two game Pre-Season.

Regular season

Standings

Game log

All the games through December 24 were canceled due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. A new schedule was created starting in December 25.

Player statistics

Regular season

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

• Kyrie Irving was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month three times (December – January, February and March) and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
• Rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson were selected to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars challenge.

Milestones

• On March 31 Antawn Jamison scored his 19,000th career point in a 75–91 loss to the New York Knicks.
• On January 31 Kyrie Irving made his first game-winning basket against the Boston Celtics.

Injuries, surgeries and absences

• Semih Erden had a fracture in his right thumb and missed the first seven games of the regular season. In April, he sprained his right ankle and missed the remainder of the season.
• Kyrie Irving suffered a concussion during a game against the Miami Heat on February 7 and missed the following 3 games.
• Anderson Varejão broke his wrist on February 10 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks and missed the remainder of the season.

Transactions

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions

Trades

References

External links

• Media related to 2011–12 Cleveland Cavaliers season at Wikimedia Commons