It has taken me a few days to write this.

I will admit, I have been pouting and licking my wounds.

This one hurt bad.

Real bad.

But we cannot let this completely taint the season we had.  While we are disappointed now, we still have much to be thankful for. 

Remember, it's not just the destination that matters, it's the journey. 

And what a journey the 2008-09 season was.

MVP, Coach of the Year, broken records, 39-2, 66-16. 

And so for all of that, and much, much more, I say THANK YOU to the Cavaliers.

THANK YOU LEBRON for being The King, the Chosen One, the MVP.  Thank you for being simply the best, and for taking the hopes and dreams of a city on your young (albeit broad) shoulders.

THANK YOU MO for coming to Cleveland.  You used to be a Cavalier killer, now we're the ones holding the deadly weapon.  And thank you for giving us a reason to use the word "MO" in as many ways possible: gimme some Mo, we're Mo better, and my personal favorite, oh Mo he didn't.

THANK YOU DELONTE for having the heart of lion.  You always left it all on the floor, and I'm pretty sure you have some injuries to show for it.  Thank you for playing so much bigger than your 180-pound frame. 

THANK YOU Z for being the elder statesman of the team.  You led with class and grace.  And how can you not love a 7'3" big man that dives for loose balls?

THANK YOU ANDERSON for doing all the nitty-gritty things that add up.  Thank you for drawing charges.  And perhaps most importantly, thank you for getting under the skin of all the other big men in the league.

THANK YOU BEN for being a scary inside presence.  I, for one, would not want to have to try to box you out. And thank you for letting us exalt "Fear the Fro" for the majority of the season. 

THANK YOU WALLY for hitting threes, and making it look so easy.  It's your world, Wally, we just live in it.  And most of all, thank you for bringing back the hi-five. 

THANK YOU JOE for coming back.  We missed you while you were gone.  Thank you for making an impact as soon as you put the Wine and Gold back on.  And of course, thank you for recording your playoff song.

THANK YOU DANIEL for having a smile on your face, whether you were on the court or not.  Thank you for always continuing to shoot.  And thanks for having the best nickname in the NBA...and giving us reasons to use it on handmade posters and t-shirts. 

THANK YOU SASHA for drilling three pointers.  And for giving PA announcer Olivier Sedra a reason to yell "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSasha!" 

THANK YOU J.J. AND DARNELL for making this the start of your professional career.  Thanks for contributing on the floor when you were asked, and for cheering on your teammates when you weren't.

THANK YOU JAWAD for proving that hometown boys can make it big.

THANK YOU LORENZEN for entertaining us with your suits on the bench.

THANK YOU TARENCE for stepping in when you were called upon. And thank you for dancing on the bench and challenging LBJ on trick shots.

THANK YOU MIKE BROWN AND STAFF for leading this squad, and for doing it the right way.  I wouldn't want to go into battle behind anyone else.

THANK YOU DANNY FERRY for putting this all together.  Thank you for giving us something to cheer for, something to feel good about.  Thank you for always trying to get better.  Can't wait to see what next year brings!

It has been one heck of a ride. And while I am sad that it's over, I echo what Mo Williams said the day after the loss:

"I thought back on everything we went through as an organization, as a team throughout the season, and I smiled a lot.  I smiled a lot.  Obviously it ended with a frown, but I woke up with a smile on my face."