The last time Cleveland
has seen a championship team and win was in 1964. There has been a 52 year
drought for the town, with their football, baseball and basketball teams coming
up short. They have come close to a win but with the infamous drive, fumble,
shot, and last inning let down - those elusive championship rings and
titles were snatched from the teams and the town.
I grew up in Cleveland
and have been a Browns, Indians, and Cavs fan my whole life, despite moving
away from Cleveland when I got married. I have lived in Pittsburgh for almost
40 years and have lived where there have been lots of championships won by the
sports teams. I know what a winning team looks like. I also know how it feels
to cheer one on and have Mondays be happy ones during the football seasons. I
have watched the parades and celebrations on the local television.
As a Cleveland fan…I
have high hopes before the sport seasons begin, only to face disappointment and
echo what every other Cleveland fan says, “Wait until next year!”
But last night was
different. I watched the Cavs play the Golden State Warriors and when Cleveland
was down 3-1 in the series…I wished and hoped for a miracle. I didn’t want to
face another year without that championship feeling. Game 5, 6, and 7 saw a
different Cavs team. I saw a different LeBron James. I saw pure determination
and concentration on his face. I know when he left to play with the Miami Heat;
I was upset and disappointed in him. I have come to realize, that he needed to
leave and win championships. After two back to back wins, he came back home.
LeBron, who is from Akron, Ohio, came back home and back to the Cavs. He
promised a championship and he set one up.
Last night, I not only
set my DVR to record the game but I watched it live and then re-watched it,
again. I was nervous and when the last second ticked off the clock…I opened my
window and screamed my head off. The drought was over, the curse was lifted and
the Cavs brought home a championship to a city and its loyal fans, after 52
years. I finally found out what it meant to feel happy and have a championship
team. It felt awesome and it felt good.
Thanks to the Cavs for
that awesome feeling. But mostly, thank you LeBron for coming back home and
fulfilling a promise!
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