Cavaliers Big Three

The trio that ended Cleveland's 52-year major sports championship drought.

The Cleveland Cavaliers Big Three refers to the historic trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love who united in Cleveland starting in 2014. This alignment occurred after James returned from Miami following four seasons with the Heat, where he won back-to-back titles. To build a championship contender around him, the team acquired power forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The media and fans quickly labeled this core as the "Big Three." Their partnership immediately propelled the Cavaliers into the NBA Finals for four consecutive years, starting in 2015.

Quick Facts

Members

LeBron James
Kyrie Irving
Kevin Love

Era start

2014

Championship year

2016

Legacy

First NBA Title in Franchise History

Lore & Background

The era began when LeBron James returned to the team in 2014 after winning titles with Miami. Before his return, the Cavaliers had gone 97–215 over four seasons and missed the playoffs entirely. The addition of Kevin Love created a "Big Three" alongside Irving and James that instantly shifted the franchise's trajectory. This group made four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2018, all against the Golden State Warriors. The defining moment came in 2016 when they faced a 3–1 deficit in the series. They became the first team in Finals history to come back from such a hole to win the championship. This victory marked the franchise's first NBA title and Cleveland's first major sports title since the 1964 Browns, officially ending the so-called "Cleveland sports curse."

Reader's Guide

Fans looking back at this era should focus on the sheer rarity of the 2016 comeback against the Warriors. It stands as the first time in Finals history a team won after trailing 3–1. The core was built around LeBron James, who had been selected with the top overall pick in the 2003 draft, and Kyrie Irving, chosen first overall in 2011. Kevin Love joined via trade from Minnesota to complete the trio. While the group dominated the conference for four years, their time together ended due to significant roster overhauls. The departure of James in 2018 left a void that took several seasons to fill, with the team missing the playoffs until 2021 and then clinching a spot again in 2023 without him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who comprises the Cavaliers Big Three?

The trio consists of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love who assembled in Cleveland starting with the 2014-2015 season. They formed this group to lead the franchise toward its first-ever NBA championship.

What were the specific roles of each player?

LeBron directed offense and defense as the leader, Irving created shots in tight moments, and Love anchored the frontcourt with rebounding. Their combined skills allowed Cleveland to compete at the highest level immediately upon reunion.

Where did they play their home games together?

All three stars played together at Quicken Loans Arena, located downtown in Cleveland, during their championship run. The arena became synonymous with the energy of the 2016 Finals victory that summer.