1 overall pick in 2003, but as the St. Vincent-St. Mary alum developed into one of the league's superstars, the team itself developed into a true contender. The Cavaliers' luck changed as they landed the number 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft.The team selected heralded forward and future NBA MVP LeBron James, a native of nearby Akron who had already risen to national stardom at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.In 2005, the team would be sold to businessman Dan Gilbert.That year, the team also hired head coach Mike Brown and general manager Danny Ferry. Rest In Paradise my friend! He was 83. Joe Tait, a longtime Cleveland sports broadcaster and voice of the Cavaliers for more than four decades, died Wednesday. Famous basketball players like LeBron James mourned the sports broadcasters death. Joe Tait, a longtime broadcaster in Cleveland who was the voice of the Cavaliers for four decades, died on Wednesday. Cleveland made the playoffs and advanced to at least the second round each year from 2006-10, including their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals in 2007. "Rest In Paradise my friend!!" Tait was the Cavs radio guy for each of LeBrons first 7 seasons in the NBA. . The loss of Tait, to both James and many around the NBA community, was about much more than just basketball. He called The Miracle in Richfield in 1976 and The Shot by Michael Jordan in 1989. On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Joe Tait died at the age of 83. Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) March 10, 2021. CLEVELAND Basketball fans in Cleveland and across America are mourning the loss of Joe Tait, the longtime Cavaliers radio broadcaster who died Wednesday at the age of 83. Morning Weather Forecast For Northeast Ohio: Sunday May 16. They didn't have much in common. Getting to know Joe Tait after growing up listening to him was a joy. Truth is, There has been a thawing between Irving and James in recent months that could make L.A. an option for Kyrie. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James From high school hoops to #1 NBA draft pick. James expressed his condolences in a Twitter posting. Youll be extremely missed here! "He's always had the desire to win. Here's a CLEVELAND (AP) Joe Tait, a longtime Cleveland sports broadcaster and voice of the Cavaliers for more than four decades, died Wednesday. Tait was there in the good and bad years for the Cavs and he finally made it to the NBA Finals as LeBron James led Cleveland to its first appearance in 2007. You'll now receive the top LeBron Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. https://t.co/uY76i2LpcF, RELATED: Fans, social media react to passing of longtime Cavaliers play-by-play announcer Joe Tait. Cleveland Cavaliers legend LeBron James pays tribute to Joe Tait The longtime Cavs broadcaster died Wednesday at the age of 83. Get 3 great Cavs books for $19.99. Tait was there in the good and bad years for the Cavs and he finally made it to the NBA Finals as LeBron James led Cleveland to its first appearance in James expressed his condolences in a Twitter posting. But now, he has the maturity, the smarts and he's won titles before," Tait told Pluto after that year's Finals. The now-Los Angeles Laker was one of many to pay tribute to Tait following his passing, doing so on Twitter. According to ESPNs Brian Windhorst, Irving is reportedly more open to signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency than he was. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Tait would still be behind the microphone three decades later, when LeBron James led them on their first Finals run.