Dear Optimist,
I'm a true Cavaliers fan, and for true, I mean BEFORE LeBron came to Cleveland. Maybe I was the only in Italy! I liked the team composed by Terrell Brandon, Chris Mills, Bobby Phills (R.I.P.), Tyrone Hill and Z with coach Fratello. Even though the seasons were not very good...
Now is the eve of game 7 against Boston and I write to you for the first time only to say "LET'S GO CAVS!" x100 times!
I ask you also a favor: Can you begin your next analysis of g. 7 with "Ciao a tutti, tifosi dei Cavs!" (Hi everybody, Cavs fans!) It will be very appreciated! Thanks and ... you know that true Cavs fans always KEEP THE FAITH.
Greetings from Stefano in Italy
Stefano
ITALY
Ciao a tutti, tifosi dei Cavs! I am the Optimist. And welcome to Game 7, paisans.
Stefano - prego for the international letter. As for the rest of you, let's not engage in the usual tutti-frutti tickle-fighting that frequently precedes the meat of the order. Our beloved Cavaliers stand on the threshold of history this afternoon. And I intend to be as All-Business as the squad was on the Team Bus ride to Bostonia.
This is a do-or-die-make-it-or-break-it-win-or-go-home-kill-or-be-killed Sunday, blockheads! Are you worried?
I'm not.
Because I'll take my chances any day of the week - and twice on Sunday - with Numeral 23 running the show in a best-of-one series. TheBron still hasn't quite figured it out from the field, and yet he's averaging 33.5 over his last two. He's been getting better throughout the series. Think he'll be ready to rumble on Sunday afternoon in Boston?
That's a rhetorical question, for those of you nodding your heads at the computer screen. But I love your enthusiasm.
Like those of you watching at home, the Cavaliers' coaching and medical staff will be monitoring the young King's Angry-MeterTM throughout the affair. But no one on the Wine and Gold's bench will be prepared for what they witness on Sunday afternoon at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Allow me to illustrate ...
Every player performs better when he has an emotional edge to his game. And your average, everyday NBA superstar - your Kobe Bryants, your Kevin Garnetts - can usually top out around a 9.6 (thoroughly infuriated). Naturally, because TheBron is gifted, he can run as high as 9.94 (out of his tree).
But on Sunday, with the Celtics holding a six-point edge with 1:14 to play, TheBron goes to 11.
(You're probably wondering why cavs.com doesn't just make 10 angrier and make 10 be the top number and make that a little angrier? But the thing is: this Meter goes to 11.)
Running at an 11 (rabid) is uncharted waters - even for TheBron.
It happens when he picks Paul Pierce's pocket and breaks for the other end. The Chosen One is soaring for the score when he's upended from behind by Big Baby Davis. Though purely incidental, this sends TheBron over the edge. Anderson Varejao helps him up, but knows better than to man-hug the livid superstar. Wally is rebuffed on a high-five.
TheBron cans the free throw to bring Cleveland to within three. On the next possession, Joe Smith wrestles a rebound away from the Big Ticket and finds TheBron, who knifes through the Celtics defense once again, scoring on a sweet left-handed reverse.
With now just 18 seconds to go in both teams' seasons and the Celtics with the ball leading by one, the Cavaliers have to foul and they do, Eddie House. But he splits the pair and the Cavaliers have a chance for the win.
On the final possession of the Second Round, TheBron dribbles around a Zydrunas Ilgauskas pick and drives directly at the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. When Rajon Rondo leaves Delonte West, TheBron - as angry as he is - dishes deftly to Delonte, who lifts, loads, and laces the 22-footer from the left wing.
Boston's desperation heave with 1.1 seconds left seals the deal, with the Cavaliers sending the Celtics - and their season of dreams - to the showers.
The Cavaliers win Game 7 in shocking fashion - 81-80 - as West, the former Celtic, is mobbed by his mates.
The Wine and Gold vidi, they vini, they vici - getting the halogen out of Boston aboard the Team Bus, which they'll trade in once again in the postseason, for the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle - fueled and armed to the teeth for Tuesday's journey to Motown.
As for the Celtics - they are, and always will be, formidable foes. And it's not their fault that they ran into TheBron. He happens to a lot of teams. Boston held him in check for the first six games of the series, but Sunday, TheBron erupts. New England ain't seen a monster like this since Jaws was scarfing down swimmers up in Amity back in the ‘70s.
Here endeth the lesson, Cleveland. You've had some bad sports Sundays in your past; but today won't be one of them.
I hope you liked today's prognostication. Was it real enough? Or was it SO real that it just blew your mind?!
That's what I thought.
Gird up for a good one on Sunday afternoon, folks. There won't be any GINO today. Provided, of course, that you remember to ...
Keep the faith, Cleveland
Your pal,
The Optimist