Why am I angry that the Cavs are losing, when even they don't seem to care?

I've been putting off writing this post, because it's just too easy to write...  PLUS, as a girl from Ohio, I've been trying to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the nightmare that is going on in Cleveland...  HOWEVER, I'm in the mood to write so here goes.

For ANYONE to question Byron Scott's job security is ballsy and stupid at best.  As if anyone would want to coach a team of underachieving quitters that have now become a joke amongst the league and professional sports.  Writers of teams that are now experiencing success due to free agency, actually have the nerve to talk about "contraction".  How quickly they forget about the times when their own teams were in the cellar.

For many years the Cleveland Cavaliers were nothing to write home about.  During the mid 90s, I used to go to Richfield Coliseum and Gund Arena to watch the visiting teams come to town.  Sure, I liked Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty, Craig Ehlo, and Mark Price ~ but never did it occur to me to have any of them sign a pennant or pose for a picture.

When my ex signed his extension with Cleveland for 6 years and $70 million in the late 90s, I cried.  Those weren't tears of joy, people.  Those were tears because I COULD NOT believe he'd chosen to stay in Cleveland.  That we were going to stay in Cleveland.  I love Ohio.  Don't get me wrong, Cleveland sports haven't always been awful.  The Cavs were basically a .450-.500 team.  They weren't great, but they weren't good and I just happened to see them on local television enough to know that a championship would be a dream.

LeBron joining the Cavs in what looked like a "suspect" NBA draft lottery (i.e. ask me about it, and I'll tell you why things looked strange) gave me hope.  I know my ex was excited at what the team could accomplish.  Although he and I split up, I never gave up my allegiance to the Cavs.  I followed, supported, and believed.  I was a "witness".

Last summer, the core of the Cavaliers franchise took his talents to South Beach and my ex went with him.   Buddies.  You couldn't have scripted the story better.  I doubt either of them really looked back.

Cleveland now has a hodgepodge of pieces that are almost unbearable to watch.  They are supposed to be professionals, but I hear that they clown around during shoot around and pre-game warm-ups.  I only went to one game (i.e. LeBron's homecoming) and I was disgusted with the jawing from the bench.  Shut up and play.  I don't want to hear about injuries.  You are professional basketball players and you all don't have a "loser gene". 

The Cavs need to come out with intensity.  The guys have 2 arms and 2 legs and need to play.  If they want to quit, then they shouldn't even play.  Claim back spasms and sit on the damn bench.  Have some pride in yourself and play to win.

Byron Scott.  Wow.  I feel bad for him.  Yes, the man is paid millions, but how is he supposed to continue to deal with all the "losing"?  It has to be an awful feeling to be the only one who appears to care about competing.  I've been "blessed" to watch Kurt Rambis et al grow the talents of Michael Beasley and Kevin Love.  You mean to tell me that no one on the Cavs can improve?!?!  Where are Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, and Boobie Gibson now?  When I think of Antawn, I can see his big smile.  That's great, except there's nothing to be smiling about.  Get angry.  Play with some intensity, for goodness sake.

I need flashcards or a program to name the people on that roster.  If I cared enough, I'd look it up.  I don't.  All I know is that this is a prime opportunity for someone on that team to take the lead as a player.  Am I supposed to buy that the entire cast of characters on the bench are a bunch of supporting actors and no one has the balls to lead?!?  No?!?!  Then why is that what they're selling me?

Although the world is laughing, there's nothing funny going on in Cleveland.  The Cavs should be ashamed of themselves.  Yes, LeBron left.  Deal with it.  Am I really to believe that this losing streak of a bajillion games was unpreventable?!?! 

Give me a break.  I can't believe I have to "Witness" this crap.


THE WIRK

LeBron's Cleveland Homecoming tomorrow ~ It feels like NBA Christmas Eve

It's December 1st, but it might as well be NBA Christmas Eve in Ohio with all the anticipation surrounding LeBron's return to Cleveland.  You'd think LeBron was Santa.  Actually, that's a VERY BAD analogy (i.e. more suitable would be those letters flipped around to spell "Satan"), since I don't believe most people are excited about LeBron's return to the Quicken Loans Arena for the "right" reasons.  What are the "right" reasons?  I don't know. 

I do know that people who were originally going to skip the game for safety concerns or to avoid the mess, are now ponying up the dough and texting me that they'll be there and/or wanting to know if I have time to meet up before the game.  ****  If you're going to be at the game and you know me, please text me so we can catch up.

I'm in Ohio.  I came in this morning because my mom is having a surgical procedure tomorrow.  I will be at the hospital bright and early and when she is home recovering (i.e. hopefully knocked out on meds) and under the watchful eye of my brother (i.e. a non-practicing physician) I will be on the road to Cleveland.  If my mother isn't knocked out on drugs, I guarantee that she will be in front of the TV watching the game.  It's all she can talk about, and she's not a LeBron fan. 

She's an NBA fan because of me.  She's familiar with the Cavs because of me.  She's gone to a few Cleveland Cavaliers games with me.  Now that I think about it she's even been to Richfield Coliseum.  Athough she may not be all up to date on the nitty gritty (i.e. she asked me if Gund Arena and the Quicken Loans Arena were two different buildings while we were eating dinner tonight), she's still going to be rooting for the Cavs.  Now that I think about it, my brother lives in Miami and he's flying tonight.  Hmmm, maybe it's a good thing that I'm not going to be at home for the game after all.

****  Actually, I just literally asked my mom who she's rooting for and she stared at me blankly.  What the heck is going on around here?!!?  Give me strength.  Wow.  She just asked me if the Cleveland Cavaliers are any good.  I must remain silent.  I cannot antagonize her before her surgery tomorrow.

Do you think LeBron is going to do the talc/chalk thing before the game tomorrow?  I say, YES.  I think if he had the nerve to do the show "The Decision", why not throw some talc in the air?  I think his bravado won't make him refrain from the pre-game production.

Even if LeBron does the same talcum powder routine,

it'll still be a different site

I've heard LeBron make mention of the visitor locker room.  I can't remember if I've been in there or not, but even if I had I'm sure it's been remodeled through the years.  If you're familiar at all with the tunnels of the Quicken Loans Arena, you know that the visitor locker room is the first one on the left right when you hang a right from where the bus parks.  If I remember correctly, the referees locker room is next and it's on the right if you proceed down the hall.  The home locker room is all the way through the tunnel past the family lounge and the home tunnel.  Unless LeBron really feels like greeting the arena employees, his interaction with the crew will probably be limited since he doesn't have to go that far into the building.  I wonder what sort of reception he'll receive from the always professional security staff.  Regardless, because of the set up, who really cares about the visitor locker room.  Sure it's smaller (i.e. I've seen teams stretching in the halls pre-game), but it has everything the Heat need.

Wait.  Cutie, Coach Erik Spoelstra will be in Cleveland too.  Hellooooo.  I wonder if Zydrunas will do me a favor and give him my number.  Hahaha.  But seriously, enough years have passed.  Can't we all just get along?!!?

I'm looking forward to seeing Byron Scott coach the Cavs.  As a former Lakers fan, I am a Byron Scott fan.

I hope the game is competitive.  I hope the Cavs come out blazing at that everyone plays at the top of their game.  I would love to see the Cavs win.  If the Cavs win, I'm sure the dynamic three-o (i.e. Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James) will allude to the fact that they didn't get much rest after playing the Detroit Pistons.  Wow.  How exciting would it be to see the Detroit Pistons defeat the Miami Heat tonight?  OK.  Maybe now I'm dreaming.

But like I said, it's only December 1st but it feels like Christmas Eve for basketball fans in Northeast Ohio.  Instead of putting up stockings and laying out cookies, I'm sure kids and adults are breaking out the markers, making posters, and/or printing T-shirts in preparation for tomorrow night's game. 

It should be a sight, and with the holiday season approaching now is the time to dream and make a wish or two!  ****  How do I know?  One of my wishes already came true earlier today.  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Don't even worry about it.


THE WIRK

Ilgauskas shows Veteran Class in Full Page Ad

I was born an Ohioan, but I grew up an old school Lakers fan.  However, as I moved towards NE Ohio, I watched more and more Cleveland Cavaliers games and became acclimated to their .400-.500 brand of basketball.  I used to see Mike Fratello in Little Italy.  I used to catch Jim Chones at the Fairlawn T.G.I. Fridays.  I would go to Richfield Coliseum to see Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, and Patrick Ewing.  I'd always be over towards the visiting team tunnel.  I was young, and didn't really appreciate the people and the heart and talent that the Cavs had until 1998.

It was 1996 when I heard the name "Zydrunas Ilgauskas" for the first time.  

In 1996, he was Cleveland's 20th pick.
In 1998, he became my #1 pick. 

I know Zydrunas' love for the Cleveland Cavaliers runs deep.  His love of basketball is immeasurable.  The man would be lost without it in his life.  I can't even imagine how he's going to feel in a Miami Heat jersey...  I do know that he is nothing but professional in his commitment to the game and his career.  The most offensive thing you can do to him is question his heart.

I'm not surprised by the class in his full-page newspaper ad (i.e. seen below from the Cleveland Plain Dealer).  I'm proud.

THE WIRK