Cleveland Championship Banner
Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; General view during the ring ceremony and NBA championship banner raising ceremony before a game against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters/Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The National Basketball Association's opening night for its 71st season has kicked off with the Cleveland Cavaliers receving their championship rings. LeBron James and the Cavaliers celebrated their first night as NBA champions that was 52 years in the making.

The Cavaliers won against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals last June. After the team had received their rings, their first championship banner was raised. The rings feature the Cavaliers’ “C” wrapped around the Larry O’Brien trophy on one side and the Cleveland skyline on the opposite side. Owner Dan Gilbert promised to give rings to all employees including ushers and stadium chefs. The Cavaliers became the first team to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven NBA finals

The Cavaliers are tipped to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. With LeBron and point guard Kyrie Irving in their ranks, the team is much fancied for a quick return to the finals.

"We just want to be able to put ourselves in position to do that. We have the ability, we have the personnel, but we have to work now. We can't expect for it to happen just like we didn't expect for it to happen last year. We put the time into it,” LeBron James said.

The Cavaliers will face the New York Knicks in Game 1. "It's the same mindset: Let's win a championship," James said.

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