Cleveland, because of all of this, doesn't deserve a championship from the Cavs just because. They must earn it. But how does a team with the best home record, one of the best road records, the best over all record and swept both of the first two playoff series by at least 10 points lose like this.
They aren't getting blown out and still have a chance to win this series, but last night's Game 4 was sickening to say the least. The Fumble, The Drive and Jose Mesa, I won't go on and on about those nightmares of Cleveland lore, but Cleveland teams always get so (too) close and then it is all taken away from us.
1995 and 1997 World Series, numerous AFC Championships and the 2007 NBA Championship, promising Cleveland romps through the playoffs in my short 23 year life. From word go, this 2008-2009 Cavs team was looking like a team of memories and a reason to say "Yeah, I'm from Cleveland."
I can't put into words the pain that many older Cleveland fans have gone through, I just know that the things I have seen would haunt all of the Boston and New York sports fans for life. Sure the Red Sox had that lengthy drought, but now its win and win often. And the Celtics and Patriots have picked up the slack. And NY sports fans have NO reason to complain about missing the playoffs or blowing a game.
No on to the actual game in question. I can sum it up with a single picture. STEP UP Z, you can't hide under the basket anymore.
Game one difference- one point, game two- one point and game four- two points. Throw in that game three 10 point loss by the Cavs and this has been a close series. Ready for the ifs? Because three of the four games have come down to the last possession and shot.
If Mo Williams made that buzzer beater in game one, If Lebron missed the game two miracle and if Zydrunas Ilgauskas could only guard Dwight Howard.
Game five, is always important. In most series its either a series clincher or a way to separate the two teams. For the Orlando Magic its a clincher, for the Cavs, a lifeline.
Orlando has played a great series and playoffs for that matter. Cleveland doesn't matchup well but has made defensive adjustments to try and tread the dangerous water. But the fact remains that the Cavs are missing shots, dribbling too much and there is no movement from the four without the ball. Watching the second half offense feels like drowning.
I'll be watching, as a fan I have to. But they are only so many superstitious things I can do. Jersey on, then off, I'm standing, I'm sitting, I'm doing jumping-jacks, I'm across the street. I can't win this on my own Cavs.
I bit my nails so much last night, I made myself bleed and didn't even notice.
By: Jimmy Smith
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