I grew up in a small town in Iowa. For those of you who don't know, the place is basically desolate. Also, there are NO professional sports teams what so ever. Even so, from a very young age I have been an avid NBA fan, back when I didn't know a thing beyond the teams colors and logos. I looked up to my cousins and uncles who watched Jordan dominate in the 90's, and my favorite SNES game was NBA Jam ( I liked the Hornets back then cause Mugsy was just my size ;) It is so disappointing to love something that you will never get to see in real life, let alone feel for a team you will never really belong to.
In 2003, However, things changed. I moved to Dayton, Ohio, to start out my college experience. I automatically fell in love with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who not only were in the same STATE I was in, but three hours away ( I could ACTUALLY GO to a game!).
I didn't know much about LeBron back then ( hadn't heard about his amazing high school career; we graduated the same year) but it didn't take long at all for me to find out. I didn't love the Cavs simply because of LeBron. I love them for the simple fact that I love watching good basketball, and I LOVE going to the games. LeBron was just the cherry to a team I was willing to put all my faith into. I faced ridicule from many friends saying LeBron wasn't ready to lead his team, he can't do it alone, he needs a point guard. I stuck with them anyway. Last year when everyone said my favorite player Sasha sucked, and would never play more than 5 minutes in a game, I stuck by them anyway. When we lost last year and it broke my heart, not to mention it was rubbed in my face by plenty of Mavs fans, and I still watched as many games as I could. I never lost faith in this team.
Last night, it all paid off. There I was in sec.233, row 13, paying way more money than I can afford to watch MY TEAM beat DETROIT in the Eastern Conference Finals! Yet, somehow I knew it all along. Ok, so Sasha didn't have a great game. I agree. He didn't HAVE to. LeBron didn't have an amazing game either (his was game 5). We have great defense. We have a ROOKIE stepping up to win it for us. If ANY of the other Cavs had NEEDED to step up they would have, because that is the kind of team this is.
So I guess my point is I finally feel like I belong to something big, thanks Cavaliers for being MY best team in the NBA.
You have every right to be proud. The Cavs achieved what was well within their reach. I can't wait to see how their growth measures up against the Spurs.
As a 'girl' who also grew up in Iowa, also loved the NBA, played Iowa girls' basketball, and also lived in Dayton, Ohio, briefly (thankfully - no offense intended), its so nice to see you enjoying the success of the Cavs, IN PERSON. Barring significant injuries, it looks to be a long, exciting ride. Good luck with the Spurs, 'Phx Girl'
I was always expected to play basketball growing up (i'm 6 feet tall) but also too slim to be an effective post and I just plan am not good. That doesn't mean I don't love to watch ;)
I don't know everything about the NBA, just a lot about the Cavs.
Oh, yeah, and if Daniel Gibson were in the game, he'd always be ON FIRE!!!
