The Land

By on June 28, 2016
Kevin Love (photo by Tom Brock)

Kevin Love (photo by Tom Brock)

I was going to remain silent and let others speak about the Cavs winning a Championship, but over the course of a few days and seeing hundreds of photos from the Championship Parade I feel compelled to pen something myself. To be honest I really didn’t think the Cavs could do it, I thought the Warriors had it in the bag, but something happened midway through the series, no it wasn’t Draymond getting suspended or Steph fouling out… No the swing came once the Cavs fans honestly felt it in their hearts that they could win. The power of the fans, the need for a Championship transferred from the fans to the players. Down 3-1, all the odds were against the Cavs, but they ignored History and in the process made their own.

What Lebron did during the Finals was impressive, only a handful of players in the history of the NBA could have stuffed the stats like he did. In my opinion, Kyrie was the difference maker this year. He showed his inner “Mamba” when it was needed most. Tristan Thompson did what he needed to do, and even Kevin Love, through all the ups and downs, pulled himself together for game 7.

Lebron James (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Lebron James (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Lebron stood by his promise and brought a Championship to “THE LAND,” and with that the resentment of him embarrassing the city with “The Decision” has all faded. Lebron told his teammates he would carry them, they followed and he carried. Lebron will never be my favorite, but I must give credit when it is due and after watching this performance the credit is fully due. Lebron led his team, the franchise and the city to the Promised Land of Champions.

I noticed something special while reading my friends posts, looking at their photos and having many discussions about the series and the winning of the Championship… The Fans are the real MVP. At this point, if you don’t know about the decades of heartache for Cleveland fans you’ve been living under a rock that happens to be stuck under another rock at the bottom of cave in the middle of nowhere. I can’t think of another Sports Town that deserves to celebrate and enjoy the accolades of being Champions more than Cleveland. The Cleveland fans are more than just fans; they are a family that has lived with a constant state of dysfunction for far too long. Their love for their teams never wavered, their support was unending and when the team needed the most, they were there for them and in return the Cavs brought a Championship banner home.

Jim Brown, Earnest Byner, Machine Gun Kelly and over a million fans were on hand to welcome the Champs. Some

Earnest Byner (photo by Erich Ross)

Earnest Byner (photo by Erich Ross)

flew from Florida, some drove hours from different parts of Ohio, some waited hours to see the parade but what is a few hours compared to a lifetime of waiting. All the pain, all the sorrow all the jokes… they are a thing of that past.

You need to understand that Northeastern Ohio is a special place, if you’ve never left you may not see it, but it is truly magical. Nowhere else will you find a fan base so committed, so understanding and so supportive. Over 1 million fans showed up in Cleveland to WITHNESS the parade. Parents took their children, to what is more than a parade, it was a CELEBRATION, a way to bury the pain and suffering so many have endured. It was a beacon of HOPE that even in the most trivial of terms that if you work hard and have faith in yourself you can overcome the biggest of hurdles. Trust me; if a Cleveland sports team can win a Championship anything is possible. Nothing was given to the Cavs, even if you think Lebron takes 6 steps e very time he drives to the basket, even if you think all the calls go his way, the fact is the Cavs earned this Championship. Say it… CLEVELAND CAVALIERS are NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

Kyrie Irving (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Kyrie Irving (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

I’m sure tears of joy were shed, faces hurt from smiling and sleep was an afterthought once the Cavs finally won, as they should be. Embrace your new found happiness Cleveland let’s hope it rubs off on the Indians and the Browns.

 

 

Family of Cavs fans (photo by JJ Jackson)

Family of Cavs fans (photo by JJ Jackson)

 

Cavs fans (photo by Tom Brock)

Cavs fans (photo by Tom Brock)

 

(photo by Tom Brock)

(photo by Tom Brock)

 

Lebron James (photo by Tom Brock)

Lebron James (photo by Tom Brock)

 

Lebron James (photo by JJ Jackson)

Lebron James (photo by JJ Jackson)

 

Cavs kids (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Cavs kids (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

 

Machine Gun Kelly (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Machine Gun Kelly (photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

 

(photo by JJ Jackson)

(photo by JJ Jackson)

 

(photo by Jeff Knapp)

(photo by Jeff Knapp)

 

JR Smith (photo by JJ Jackson)

JR Smith (photo by JJ Jackson)

 

Witness (photo by Tom Brock)

Witness (photo by Tom Brock)

 

(photo b Shawn Dishauzi)

(photo by Shawn Dishauzi)

Categories: Basketball, Featured, Sports
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