I Don’t Want This Season to End

The 2008-2009 Cavs season has been one of the most exciting and entertaining seasons in Cleveland sports history and it could all come to a screeching halt tonight at The Q. I don’t want it to. I want to keep cheering. I want to watch the Cavs in the Finals. I want to see LeBron clutching the trophy like MJ as his jubilant teammates spray champagne all over him.

I’ve been very critical of the approach the Cavs have taken in this series with Orlando. I’m frustrated and I expected more. That’s because this team raised the bar for what we as Cleveland sports fans should expect from our teams. We should expect that they do charitable work around town. We should expect that they stay out of trouble. We should expect that they play with joy and love of the game. We should expect that they win. A lot. We should expect that when their backs are against the wall that they rally together, with the entire city cheering them on, and win despite overwhelming odds. We should expect that they win.

I expect this team to win. They’ve lost 2 straight to the Magic after LeBron’s miracle shot in Game 2. They gave away all the momentum. They continue to be flummoxed by Orlando’s pick and roll offense. They continue to miss opportunities to punish the Magic for the mistakes they’re making.

Faced with a true “must win” game, all the strategies and tactics are out the window. All that has happened in the first 4 games is moot. All that could be for this dream team is nothing without a win tonight and that has to be the focus. For the team. For the fans. For the city of Cleveland. Win tonight, and let the next step come as it may.

If you’re lucky enough to go to Game 5 tonight, don’t miss this opportunity to lift the Cavs up. Be positive. Be loud. Expect them to be great, and expect them to win. This team has raised the bar to that point and I believe that they will meet it. I still believe they will make the Finals. I still believe they will win it all. Believe with me, because that’s all we have left.