I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from writing so I could focus on some other avenues in life, but have stayed in contact with some light coverage on my beat, the Indians, as of late. However, it’s time for me to stretch out my fingers and share something with you that I’ve been holding in the last few months in regards to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since the Cavs are not my area of coverage so to speak, I’m going to go ahead and try something new here. I’m going to cut loose and give you an insight on my fandom instead. This isn’t a critical analysis. This isn’t me reporting from the bowels of the Q with a post game write up or a column on the team trying to sway you one way or another. This is me, a fan, talking to you, the fans. Side note – when I say “We” in regards to the Cavs, it’s my “Super Fan” side coming out. Let’s talk.
When the Cavs front office announced the 2016 playoff slogan would be, “ALL in 216” I couldn’t contain my love for it. My inner fan was pounding her chest screaming, “YES! This is the winning one! I know it!” The double meaning was so special to me it may have brought a tear to my eye. “ALL in 216” was meant to stand for , “You give it all for the sixteen wins it takes to get the title,” and of course the “216” represented Cleveland’s area code. It was almost too much to handle. The hashtag spread like wildfire, the Pistons were coming to town, and it was on. The city was ready to ride this thing to the top and end the drought I so desperately do not need to go into further details for obvious reasons.
We started our playoff journey a perfect 4-0. We got mad when the “Experts” disrespected our team on the major networks. We fought with strangers online who said it was just the East. We despised anyone who didn’t Defend the Land with us. The, “Cleveland vs the World” attitude was out in full form.
Enter, Atlanta. Another sweep. Historic shooting. Memes and vines poking fun at the Hawks flooded my timeline and Cavs fans everywhere spoke of how great we were. Shirts were flying off the shelves at our local spots in support of the team. The confidence was an all-time high. This was it. This was our year. We felt it. On to the Conference Finals we went.
The Raptors handed us back-to-back losses in Games 3 and 4 to even the series but it didn’t change the attitude. We were going to go back to the Finals, and that we did. We watched with anticipation as it looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder could actually beat out the Golden State Warriors when they went up 3-1, but consequently lost the last three games to get sent packing. That was it. It was set. We were headed to Oakland.
Morale was seemingly high, at least on my timeline, until Thursday night after Game 1. When the Cavs dropped the NBA Finals Opener to the Warriors suddenly there was mass panic. “Cavs are too slow. Cavs aren’t focused. Cavs can’t shoot. Cavs can’t…” blah blah blah. Okay. We were emotional. The adrenaline was pumping. All was fine, though. It was just one game. Then, Sunday night’s loss hit. I don’t need to get started on the monstrosity of posts, tweets, and comments I read after Game 2. I get it. The Cavs have their backs on the ropes now being down 0-2, but it’s not over. Are my Wine and Gold goggles on? Sure. I’m not a hypocrite. I know where my optimism stems from. Full disclosure – in my house there’s a gigantic Kyrie Irving poster that serves as the focal point of our living room decor that reads, “Cavs Basketball Never Stops.” That’s the mantra under this roof. You watch all 82 regular season games because you love the team, you love the city, and in hindsight, to prepare yourself for this moment right now should you be lucky enough to make it here. I am seasoned enough to know Cavs basketball, and what has happened in these first two games is certainly not it. I know you’re hurting, and I am too, but until they say we have to go home, don’t count us out.
There are 28 other NBA teams (and their fans) sitting at home watching the Finals right now wishing they had the opportunity to play. Your team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, aren’t one of them. They’re playing against a historically great basketball team, we know this, yet have the chance to give them their best shot. I KNOW they’re down 0-2, and I know all the statistics for coming from behind and winning the series when that is the scenario. In the Finals, it has only happened three times; 1969- Celtics over Lakers, 1977- Trail Blazers over 76ers, and 2006- Heat over Mavericks. I understand the odds, but what I can’t fathom is the negativity from the self proclaimed “ALL IN” fans.
I moved to Cleveland from the Akron area two years ago and have completely embodied what it means to be a Clevelander. I loved my hometown, and still do. It’ll always be my home, and I enjoy the time I get to go visit friends and family who live there, but there’s just something about the Cleveland ora that makes you stick out your chest with pride. Of course, I grew up engrossed in Cleveland sports, but until you’ve explored the city, and I mean that beyond the tourist attractions or where drinks cost a pretty penny, you truly don’t know what all goes into it. You don’t know the people. You don’t know how beautiful the summer nights are, or how to navigate through white out conditions in the winter. You don’t know Cleveland until you live it, and what I’m seeing right now from Cleveland fans is so disappointing. This isn’t the Cleveland I know. This isn’t the same Cleveland fans who band together and defend their city when the national stage tries to beat them down. Where’s your pride now? This is when we (the Cavs) need you most.
I thought we were a city of fighters. Stipe Miocic just brought the belt back to The Land as a Heavy Weight Champion of the World and was calling for the Cavs to be next. The Monsters are up 2-0 in the Calder Cup Finals, and the Indians just swept the Kansas City Royals, the defending World Series Champs, and currently sit in first place in the AL Central. I know the fight is in you, Cavs fans, but you’ve got to bring it. Leading up to Sunday night’s loss many of you stated how you’ve been here for the team through it all, and want nothing more than to see us “Win One for the Land.” Where did you go? Embrace this moment! You have a team in the Finals!
There’s at least two more games of the season left, but could be as many as five. You’ve made it until the very end. This is what you, the fans, wanted. This is what you called for. You wanted the Warriors. You wanted to get that sweet revenge. You demanded a rematch. You begged for health. Guess what? You have it all. If you want to cheer your lungs out and blow up your timelines when LeBron says we have the best fans in the world, act like it. Stand behind your team. There’s an opportunity knocking at the door right now and before you know it we couldn’t as so much sniff the playoffs for years to come. Stop living in the negative realm of, “It’s Cleveland.” or “Only in Cleveland.” and all the other drawn out overused word vomit I’ve been seeing for years. It’d old. It’s tired. It’s time to put it to bed.
I know in my household we’ve said it all year; if the health is there, there’s no excuses. None. We all wondered what it would’ve been like last year had Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving been in that lineup, and now we get to see. This is the closure we wanted. This is the series we lost sleep over. It’s here. Don’t run from it even when the odds aren’t favorable. It’s all about “The Thrill of Victory” and the “Agony of Defeat.” If you really love this team you better be willing to take your lumps with them. It’s not fair to point your finger now.
Fandom aside, I understand this is a tough pill to swallow. We all know there’s a really good chance we just aren’t a good match for the Warriors and we may meet our demise once more. I don’t want to write it more than you want to see it, but even the biggest of fans (and I live with one) has to call for realism. I know many of you want this with every ounce of your heart but just take a step back with me for a second. Take a breath. The way I see it, if you want to beat the defending Champs, you’re going to have to do it on your own imposed will. Remember, the refs, however you deem their officiating, aren’t going to be the deciding factor in this series. I know many of you are boxing fans, so would an official ever end the reign of an undefeated or near perfect boxer by decision? No. That would be ludicrous.
A record setting 19.2 million people tuned in to Game 1 of the Finals on Thursday night – the highest viewership ever for an opener. Guess what? Cleveland was at the top for the local market ratings. I know you care. There’s still more games to be played. We just have to take it one step at a time. The chance to do something special is still there. Why give up now? It’s. Not. Over.
All I’m asking is for you to enjoy the ride. We have a team in the Finals! Us. Cleveland. We made it here, and the Warriors have to come play in our city on Wednesday and Friday where we are a perfect 7-0 on our home floor in the playoffs. Protect it. Don’t take this for granted. Don’t be the one who wrote us off and come running back if history is going to be made. Don’t just talk about it, be about it. You want to be the best fans in the world? Earn it. You’re either ALL IN or you aren’t. Choose your hashtags wisely.
“Believe in your potential even if you haven’t seen the results” – Gaby Natale
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