The 2009–10 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 40th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Cavaliers finished with the best record in the NBA at 61–21, earning them first place in the East. The season saw LeBron James win the MVP Award for the second straight year. The Cavaliers had the fifth best team offensive rating in the NBA. After defeating the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls in the first round in five games, the Cavs faced the 4th-seeded Boston Celtics in the Semifinals in a rematch of the 2008 Conference Semifinals where the Celtics won in seven games. The Cavaliers were favored to beat them, but lost in six games despite being up 2-1. The Celtics would advance to the NBA Finals and lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. Following the season, Danny Ferry stepped down as general manager, head coach Mike Brown was fired, James signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, but would return to the Cavaliers in 2014, Shaquille O'Neal signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, which turned out to be O'Neal's final season as a player, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas also left the team to join one season with the Miami Heat before retiring. After LeBron's departure, the Cavaliers struggled greatly without him for four seasons, and entered a state of rebuilding. The Cavaliers would not make the playoffs again until 2015, when LeBron returned to the Cavaliers, who drafted All-Star Kyrie Irving and traded for All-Star Kevin Love. As of 2022, this was the last time that the Cavaliers have won 60 or more games. Key dates June 25 – The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York City. The Cavs also acquire Shaquille O'Neal, in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. July 8 – The free agency period started. July 13 – The Cavs sign with Anthony Parker. July 19 – Jamario Moon signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers. August 12 – The Cavaliers sign with Leon Powe. October 6 – The Cavs open the Pre-Season, with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, in The Q. October 21 – The Cavs close the Pre-Season, losing to the Boston Celtics, in the Value City Arena. October 27 – The Cleveland Cavaliers open the Regular Season, and are defeated by the Boston Celtics, in Quicken Loans Arena. February 17 – The Cavs acquire Antawn Jamison