While Grant (and every other sports writer, blogger, commentator, et al.) has covered LeBron James’ disgusting effort in Game 5 against the Pistons, and Game 6 was (how does the ad slogan go?) FAN-tastic, this montage from WTAM radio in Cleveland is what it’s all about for me.

I’m not much of an NBA fan at all. In fact, most days, I wish it would just go away. But if I were to follow it “the Association”, I’d do so by following the Cavs. It’s part of the “Cleveland sports thing” that was instilled upon me at birth. Of course, a Julio Franco trade and a new ballpark with a new look team did in the Indians for me, Art Modell’s filthy ass has made the last decade-and-change of being a Browns fan less than uplifting (but I HAVE A DREAM!!!!), and the NBA turning slowing into streetball on wood, combined with powder blue unis and Craig Ehlo not being about 8’3″ in 1991, have made that sport a mere side salad on my sporting menu. I was excited when the Cavs “Ewing-ed” their way into number one to take LeBron James, and will casually stick around an NBA game that happens to be close and/or involve the Cavs if I catch it on the tube. Playoff games have involved turning the TV on, and occasionally wandering back by to check a score or however long I can stomach watching the “Flagrant 2’s”, “ball at the top of the arc after a timeout”, and whatever other MTV-esque rules du jour are rolled out from time to time.

Game 5 was different. Sure, it started the same for me, maybe with slightly longer lingers on the couch. (Which could have been equally attributed to a comfy pillow and/or a dish of ice cream.) But as the fourth quarter rolled around, LeBron James wouldn’t let me turn away. Every shot was going to be the one that missed, yet none of them were. Each drive was going to be a kick-out. Three of them were dunks. And if hearing Joe Tait belt out “Whamwiththerighthand!!!” doesn’t get a smile on your face, I don’t know that much about the NBA will.

Suddenly, a casual interest in the NBA became a passing interest. Maybe it was because I was with my dad and brother, with whom I share the same “I could care less about the NBA, but if I had to follow SOMEONE…” attitude, I checked for scores on my phone. Then, when we got home, grabbed a beer with the intent of watching the NBA. I don’t know how I’ll handle the Finals, and my brother probably put it best when he said “I’d like to see them win, but I’m not going to buy the t-shirt”, but it really would be exciting to see the Cavs finish it off. (Joe Tait and this picture make it easy.)

Do it for Joe Tait. Do it for Craig Ehlo. For Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, “Hot Rod” Williams and Larry Nance. Do it for Paul Mokeski and Phil Bagley and World B. Free. Selfishly, do it for former BG Falcon and Cavalier Nate Thurmond. Those folks won the hearts of fans, in good times and in bad and four more wins would be a great honor to them.