Some leftovers are as good as their debut date. I could even argue that some pizza can be better the next day around. On the other hand, I cringe when I see certain ‘oldies’ staring at me when I open the refrigerator door. Tupperware containers filled with eroding edibles linger in food purgatory for a week or two until someone gets the courage to stomach the stench, open the lid, and toss it.
Last night, I served up a leftover from three months ago. Being from June, you might think it smelled like a rotting corpse when I popped it open. But actually, it had more of a champagne taste to it.
It might have helped that it came from a better storage place than my fridge: My DVR.
NBA TV had the Michael Jordan ‘The Shot’ game on that I recorded for my sons to watch. Not so much as to torture them, but to let them appreciate Jordan’s greatness. We forwarded it to the last four minutes of the game. I didn’t want to scar their young, fragile minds with too many images of 1989 short shorts or bad hair.
Anyways, you might not remember it, but their were three game-winning shots in the closing moments. Jordan actually hit a 15-footer over Larry Nance with six seconds left prior to his iconic buzzer beater. Those shots were sandwiched around Craig Ehlo’s give-and-go lay-up with three seconds left. Ehlo, the famous defensive victim of ‘The Shot’, actually scored 15 points in the 4th period. But, of course, we lost.
That depressing game, by the way, was not a delicious leftover. My wife, however, had a great idea, as she quite often does. She suggested we watch Game 7 of the NBA Finals that was on our DVR from June.
My Beth is not only beautiful, but she is brilliant!
I forwarded it to the tension-filled last five minutes. We relived the Block (how did LeBron do it?), the Bricks (the two teams combined to make 1 of their last 17 shots in the final 4:40), and the Bucket (Kyrie Irving for Three!). This leftover may have tasted even better than the first time around. I think that was because the DVR microwave eliminated that aftertaste of known as ‘the fear of inevitably losing’.
The celebration afterwards was beautiful. LeBron was continually overcome with emotions of tears and joy. The rest of the Cavs followed suit. Those moments showed why sports has such a special place in our hearts.
That June 19 of 2016 was a wonderful moment for millions of us from Northeast Ohio. So whenever you feel a little down–maybe on a cold dreary day in February, or after another miserable Browns game–get that TV remote out and click on this ultimate pick-me-up. It can pull you out of the lowest of lows.
I also recommend having a bowl of ice cream on your lap to enhance the flavor!
Follow the author on twitter: @macaljancic