Get Ready C-Town!!
[audio:comeoncavs.mp3]
Have this playing while you read the post…..
I woke up this morning with a sense of anticipation I haven’t felt in a very long time…Since October 1997 to exact. In what must be considered the biggest sporting event in Cleveland since the ‘97 World Series, the Cavaliers have a chance this evening to put the 2-time Eastern Conference Champion Pistons to be in 6 games after being dismantled in Games 1 and 2. It has galvanized a city, and energized a region hungry for athletic success.
I remember how this city embraced the Indians in the mid-to-late ’90s, especially in ‘97, when the Indians floundered for much of the season, before a special moment in August. That day was Jim Thome’s birthday. To honor him, the entire team went with the old school socks-pulled-up look that Thome is known for. The Indians won that night, and the next, and the next, and the Indians rode their fashion statement all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. We all know how that ended and there is still a sting there for many of us, but this Cavaliers team has eased the pain of that moment just a little bit, with their own galvanizing moment.
After losing Game 2 to the Pistons, looking all the part of a team that many predicted would get swept at the hands of mighty Detroit, the team received the news of the death of Justin Hughes, brother of Larry Hughes, from complications of a heart transplant he received nearly 10 years ago. Justin had been sick, but the death was still a shock to Cavs’ family. Larry left the team, and the realization that, while important, basketball was, in fact, just a game.
Brought closer by the tragedy, the Cavs rallied in both Games 3 and 4 at the Q, then travelled to St. Louis to be with their greiving ‘brother’ at the funeral for Justin. Watching the video of that day was truly touching and once again showed what is truly important. After the service, the team flew directly to Detroit for Game 5. In what turned out to be their greatest performance of the season, the Cavs dominated from the tip, never trailing after early in the 2nd period, in winning their third straight. The shock and disbelief on the faces of Piston fans and players alike was classic. Having no idea what had hit them, and the look of, “How the Hell are we going to get out of this….?”
All of this brings us to game 6 tonite at the Q. Undoubtedly, the biggest game ever played in the building, it is going to be louder than ever, and it will need to be. The Pistons are going to be ready. A wounded animal is a very dangerous animal, and the Pistons are definitley wounded. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some hard fouls early, especially on LeBron, and the Pistons try to get the Cavs out of their rhythem. I feel a big key in this series has been the composure of the Cavs. The Pistons, especially in Game 5, let their emothions get the best of them. Tonite, the Pistons will try to get under the Cavs’ skin with elbows and shoulders and everything else Rasheed and Ben Wallace can throw. I am sure the flopping will continue, as we have seen multiple times from Rip Hamilton.
To be the best, you have to beat the best. When the series started, I felt grateful that the Cavs were playing the Pistons. Regardless of the outcome, the learing experience for this young team would be priceless and they would be that much better for it. Now that the series has unfolded the way it has, I want MORE! The Cavs have shown that they can play consistent team defense, that they can score from the half-court, and that they can come up big at crunch time. The Cavs CAN WIN THIS SERIES!
It is up to the 20,592 that will be in the building tonite to keep the Pistons at bay. To keep the Cavs up, and should Larry Hughes return, remind Larry and the entire Hughes family, that though he might be from Missouri, he is still one of us and we share in his pain.
Oh, almost forgot, my prediction…..
After ignoring my heart for Game 5 and prerdicting a Piston victory, I was forced to repent and seek forgiveness. Luckily, this time my heart and head believe the same thing. There is no limit to the greatness of the man that would be King….James and Co., with a big assist from the Cleveland Crazies put the Pistons to bed –>
Cavs 92 — Pistons 88
