The Cleveland Cavaliers debuted in October of 1970. That team was 1-24 when I made my world debut the following month. The Cavs’ 45-year NBA journey has been a roller coaster ride with far more downs than ups. Thursday’s Game 6 masterpiece has taken the franchise, and their fans, to the highest point.
So Cleveland fans turn off that small pessimistic voice in the back of your heads. Put aside your doubts and scars.
Bathe yourself in the build up for this epic Game 7. Enjoy ESPN’s wall-to-wall coverage, the Lebron Lovefest, Kyrie’s Kudos, and Steven A. Smith’s soliloquies.
SAVOR THIS MOMENT.
This moment is for…
Trips to the old Cleveland Arena to suffer through some brutal basketball.
The joy of drafting Austin Carr with the 1st pick in the 1971 draft.
The misery of watching Carr’s talents marred by a series of injuries during his nine-year stint.
Coach Bill Fitch leading the Wine and Gold to respectability.
Those maddening traffic jams around the Richfield Coliseum.
You Miracle of Richfield crazies raising the Coliseum roof and literally tearing down a basketball hoop during that magical 1976 play-off run. Try holding back the goosebumps while watching this finish.
Those cold winter nights when had to turn your radio dial just right to listen to the great Joe Tait call out, WHAM WITH THE RIGHT HAND!”
1970s names like Bingo Smith, Campy Russell, and Jim Brewer.
This sweet and soulful 70s fight song.
Enduring Jim Chones breaking his foot just before the 1976 Eastern Conference Finals.
Seeing Mike Mitchell become an All-Star as he tried to carry a fading franchise.
Suffering through four years of the worst owner in sports history: Ted Stepien.
Watching Stepien go through four coaches during the 1981-82 season.
Watching Stepien get rid of Mitchell, future four-time All-Star Bill Laimbeer, and future Hall-of-Fame coach Chuck Daly.
Watching Stepien FIRE Joe Tait.
Watching Stepien trade so many first round picks away that the NBA enacted the ‘Stepien Rule’ to disallow teams from trading first round picks in consecutive years.
This moment is for…
The Gund brothers taking over this dumpster fire of a franchise.
The return of Joe Tait!
This flashy player, his unique shooting form, and these sweet uniforms…
The 1984-85 season where George Karl’s team overcame a 2-19 start to make the playoffs and bring excitement back to the Coliseum.
That squad, led by Free, Roy Hinson, and Phil Hubbard, taking the defending champion Celtics to the brink. The Blue and Orange fell in four games, losing their three games by a combined seven points.
Remembering early 80s names like Mel Turpin, Edgar Jones, Ben Poquette, Mark West, and John Bagley.
Hearing Cleveland sportscasting legend Nev Chandler rattle off phrases like ‘stops and pops’ and ‘wheels and deals’ on Channel 43.
GM Wayne Embry’s wonderful 1986 off-season that brought in rookies Brad Daugherty, Ron Harper, Mark Price and John ‘Hot Rod’ Williams, as well as this crafty young veteran…
Lenny Wilkens leading this group to a franchise rebirth.
This moment is for…
Mark Price’s rainbow jumpers.
Brad Daugherty’s post power and country twang.
Larry Nance’s veteran presence.
Enduring the Cavs 3-2 series loss to the Bulls in 1988.
Enjoying the 1988-89 Cavs roll to franchise record 57 wins.
Rising on Craig Ehlo’s give-and-go lay-up, giving the Cavs a 1-point lead over Chicago.
Deflating as Jordan then hits ‘The Shot’ to win deciding game 5.
Stomaching the Ron Harper for Danny Ferry trade.
Seeing the 1990 end with another 3-2 opening series loss (to Philadelphia).
The 91-92 team finally winning a play-off series (over the Nets), then ending Larry Bird’s career with a game 7 win. That is followed by ANOTHER series loss to the Bulls.
The 1993 play-offs ending with ANOTHER Jordan game-winning shot.
This moment is for…
Coach Mike Fratello coming to town for six seasons and turning lemons into drinkable (but sometimes unwatchable) lemonade.
Enduring this dated 90s uniforms…
The thrill of coming of Shawn Kemp.
The realization that Kemp was a fading star.
Fratello’s overachieving teams scrapping for post-season berths, only to go 2-12 in losing four opening round series.
1990s names like Terrell Brandon, Chris Mills, and Tyrone Hill.
Spending a first rounder on some big foreign guy whose fragile feet limited him to 29 games over three years.
Those feet healing up enough to eventually get Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ jersey retired.
Surviving those lean millennial years with shaky draft picks like Trajan Langdon, DeSagana Diop, and Dajaun Wagner.
Watching Ricky Davis try to get a triple double by throwing the ball off his own backboard for a rebound.
This moment is for…
Being terrible and lucky enough to win the 2003 draft lottery.
Cashing that lottery ticket in for this grand prize…
Watching 18-year-old Lebron James go for 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in his debut.
LBJ teaming that year with Carlos Boozer to make a dream duo for years to come.
Cavs’ management foolishly making Boozer a free agent a year early after he gave his word that he would re-sign with the team. Carlos soon says buh-bye for extra $$.
The King taking his army to the playoffs in year three, knocking off Washington before falling to the defending conference champion Pistons in seven games.
Game 5 of the 2007 conference finals, where LeBron blossoms into an NBA superstar with a 48-point masterpiece, scoring the Cavs’ final 25 in an OT triumph over Detroit.
Boobie Gibson’s 31 points in game six sending Cleveland to its first Finals.
The Spurs showing us in the Finals how far we are from a championship roster.
LBJ-Paul Pierce dueling in the game 7 loss to Boston in 2008.
A 66-win Cavs team getting upset by Orlando in the 2009 conference finals.
The mysterious disappearance of LBJ in game 5 vs. Boston in 2010.
The pain of The Decision.
Losing an NBA-record 26 straight games the first year after LeBron.
Winning the draft lottery in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
The joy of The Return.
LeBron carrying the injury-riddled Cavs in the 2015 Finals.
Going down 3-1 in this year’s Finals.
We’ve never shined brighter. Savor this Game 7 spotlight!
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