LeBron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers played "almost a perfect game" against the Washington Wizards on January 23rd at the Q. What made the evening extra special was the Cleveland Cavaliers fourth annual Black Heritage Celebration kick off with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Night 
The Cleveland Cavaliers Scoreboard featured many tributes including a reading by several of the Cavs of parts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I have a Dream' speech.
The game featured a special halftime ceremony honoring several Black Sports Legends of Ohio highlighted by former Cavaliers Head Coach and player Lenny Wilkens. 
Lenny Wilkens hugs another former Cavs great Campy Russell after receiving his award as Bill White applauds
Lenny Wilkens is the NBA's career leader in coaching win-loss totals and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player (1988) and head coach (1998). He spent two years as a player for the Cavaliers (1972-74), making the All-Star Team in 1973 before returning to Cleveland as head coach in 1986 and leading the Cavaliers into one of their most successful eras in franchise history.
Madeline Manning-Mims and Lenny Wilkens
Wilkens guided the Cavaliers to the postseason in five of his seven seasons as head coach and remains the franchise's leader in wins with 316 victories. 
Campy Russell awards Earl Lloyd
Also honored was Earl Lloyd who became the first African-American player to play in the NBA when he took the court as a member of the Washington Capitals on October 31, 1950. 
Earl Lloyd, the Big Cat
Nicknamed "The Big Cat", Lloyd played in 560 career games in nine seasons in the NBA. Madeline Manning-Mims was a member of four Olympic teams (1968, '72, '76 and '80) and served as captain on three occasions (1972, '76 and '80). 
Madeline-Manning-Mims
She is the first and only American female to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter event, winning it in 1968 in Mexico City. (Read more and listen to a podcast with the inspiring Madeline-Manning-Mims)Reggie Rucker was one of the most prolific receivers in Cleveland Browns franchise history. 
Reggie Rucker
Rucker spent 1975-1981 with the Browns and remains among the top in many of Cleveland's receiving records including total receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.Bill White became the first African-American to ever be named President of Major League Baseball's National League and is widely regarded as the first African-American to hold that high of an executive position in all of sports. 
Bill White
He was also the first African-American to do play-by-play for a major league team as he called New York Yankees games from 1971-1988 following an outstanding playing career that spanned 13 seasons.
The 2008 Cleveland Cavalier Black Heritage Celebration legends on Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Night
The Cavaliers Black Heritage Celebration will continue with Black Achievement Night on Saturday, February 2nd vs. the Los Angeles Clippers at 7:30 p.m. The game will honor invited Black Entertainers of Ohio including James Pickens Jr., Howard Hewett, Kym Whitley, Paula Jai Parker and John Legend with a special halftime tribute. Gospel Night will conclude the 2008 Black Heritage Celebration on Friday, February 22nd vs. the Washington Wizards at 8:00 p.m. Visit Cavs.com for more information. Top of Page
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