CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Having LeBron James on their side has never been enough to make the Cavaliers a favorite heading into the Finals, especially against the Golden State Warriors.
Each time over the last four years, the Cavs have entered the series as the underdog. Even in the 2007 Finals against San Antonio, James and his team were heavily favored to lose and were in fact swept.
But never in their history have the odds been so stacked against them than they are now.
And yet...
"We approach this series looking to win," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Tuesday, before his team left for California to get ready for Game 1 Thursday.