Post-series thoughts on the Cavs:
First, a quick play-by-play of that night. After helping to put the kids to bed in the 1st quarter, I settled in just in time for.... the 21 minute scoreboard blackout.
Yes, of course I thought we would be naming this game "The Clock" game, just like The Drive, the Fumble, the Mesa, etc. etc. etc.
Janice watched the 2nd quarter with me - the only positive of that arrangement was that she was about 5 seconds ahead of Marv in terms of suggestions for getting teh delay overwith and resuming the game. It was eerie.
However, not a good playoff performance by her. I think she's used to losing and has forgotten playoff mode. During Browns games, she knows I am intense - but how intense can you be when the team is 3-10? So she will ask semi-related questions on the game, like:
- Has Parcells waistband gotten higher over the years?
- Why don't you wear an all-orange outfit like Todd Grantham?
Well, her comments on the multitude of the sun tattoos did not go over well in a playoff situation. So at halftime, I moved downstairs and she went upstairs.
3:00 left in the 3rd quarter is when I stood up for good for the night. The pacing commenced.
First Boobie 3 at the end of the 3rd: "Yes!"
Second Boobie 3 at the beginning of the 4th: record dash between couch and near wall
LeBron steal and hoop and foul with ~10 min to go: record dash between couch, near wall and far basketball hoop
Third Boobie 3: First "Boobie!" shout of the night
Fourth Boobie 3: Orgasmic screams from the basement.
Fifth Boobie 3: I jumped a good 1' off the ground with my hands in the air; unfortunately, this was done under the low part of teh ceiling, so I immediately felt pain in my wrists as my hands hit the ceiling immediately. Pain goes away with the next defensive stop.
I then realize we are up 15, and say: "Hey, wasn't Portland up 15 in the 4th quarter of game 7 of the Western Conference finals in 2001?" I then watch the next 3 minutes of the games with my hands over my eyes.
As a Cleveland fan, you never truly know when a game is over (see Chicago 27, Cleveland 21, OT, in 2001 - 2 TDs in the final 28 seconds for the Bears), but once we got to 2 minutes left, even I knew it was over.
The first sight to see what LeBron and Z hugging at midcourt - what a site.
Bill Russell handed out the Eastern Conference trophy to LeBron and company. That was immensely touching - Bill tells LeBron that the Cavs not only represent the city, but "the entire Eastern Conference. Make us proud". That brought a tear to my eye.
Yes, a bit jealous in not being there in Cleveland for the celebration. But it's not finished. Not by a longshot. I was afraid that we - the fans and the team - would have a hangover, but I think this is where the long layoff will help the team. Not playing for 5 days will help them re-focus on the prize, which is the title.
Many have said that "this year is a success - the Cavs are going to be a force for years to come. Even if they don't get the title this year, titles are in store for LeBron in the future". Oh really? The same was said about the 1995 Indians and the 1986 Browns - don't worry, the titles will come after their loss. It never came.
I want to win now....because you never know what the future holds (a LeCharles injury to LeBron??)
I have to admit I am somewhat sullen in the fact that this is the Cavs and not the Browns and Indians. I would be lying if I said it meant the same - it doesn't. I'd rather have the Browns win a Super Bowl or (secondly) the Indians win a World Series to be the ones to break the Cleveland streak. But I realize that beggars can't be choosers, and if the streak is going to end, it needs to be now with the Cavs.
A Cleveland team is in the finals - which means I will try to make good on my promise to be in Cleveland when the team wins a championship. (If you recall, I was in Steve's basement in Parma for game 7 of the 1997 World Series, ready to drive to downtown and riot when the game was over...... damn, I was ready to riot. ).
However, the schedule does not look good. The Publinx qualifier is the morning after game 5, and I may have to go to Iowa on June 19-21, gmes 6 and 7. The best scenario is a Cavs sweep, since we are heading up to Pittsburgh for the US Open on Thursday, 6/14. Wouldn't it be great if the Cavs were up 3-0 going into that night? .....*faint*
Do we have a chance? Yes. I'd give the Cavs a 40% chance to win the series. But no one gave us a chance to win vs. the Pistons...and I like the way this team plays defense..... and with leBron, anything can happen.
2 comments:
Heard a great discussion on the DC morning radio (Doc Walker Show) when Darrell Green called in and was espousing the skills of Daniel Gibson. Turns out they went to the same Texas high school and Green is good friends with the Gibsons. Darrell Green is the man.
I think I would have rather watched the game with Janice than you. Although, watching you watching the game would be pretty entertaining.
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