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The Cleveland Cavaliers: From National Powerhouse, To Local Darling

By Spencer Davies

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Once David Griffin began wheeling-and-dealing his players in the offseason to land LeBron James and Kevin Love for the Cleveland Cavaliers, national pundits were drooling over the fact that there was going to be another super team they could cover.

SportsCenter emanated from E. 4th street, TNT hosted a pre-game party with a Kendrick Lamar live concert outside of Quicken Loans Arena and people’s expectations, fans and media, had never been higher for the Cavs. Literally everyone was on the Cleveland bandwagon, imagine that.

But then, the season started, and things didn’t play out as most expected. (Note: it’s funny that I tweeted this too, because that’s exactly what happened)

From watching the season opener, everyone could tell two things: 1) This team is going to be fun to watch 2) These guys are going to take some time to click. And as you can clearly see now, they did click. It just took a little tweaking and more time than most thought it would. So let’s re-visit some of your least favorite storylines during up-and-down season.

KEVIN LOVE

It seriously took less than 15 days into the season for the “Kevin Love is leaving” talk to begin. Now, don’t get me wrong- this is still an ongoing possibility (although he’s said himself that he’s in this for the long haul) and could happen- but was it really necessary to start this before the team even knew each other’s last names? Outside of the weather and “Hollywood lifestyle”, somebody please tell me why playing in Los Angeles is so attractive as opposed to playing with two of the best the NBA has to offer. To no one’s surprise, Love immediately denied those rumors.

I completely agree with what Josh has to say here. When Kevin Love was traded here, the role that he previously had in Minnesota was not going to be the one he would have as a Cavalier. He went from a franchise player to the third scoring option behind a four-time MVP and a future MVP.

Sure, Love had his shooting and low post issues in the first couple months, and his defense was none too impressive either. But he was a key cog in creating space on offense to free up the lane, he rebounded the ball with aggression and relentlessness and he delivered some of the most impressive 3/4 court outlet passes on fast breaks that fans have ever seen.

LEBRON JAMES

Let’s jog your memory a bit and see if you all remember this article by NEOMG’s Chris Haynes just before New Years.

"James, who turns 30 today, has no intention of compromising his prime years playing for a sputtering organization. He can opt out of his contract at the end of the season and become a free agent. Given the massive scrutiny he would endure if he departed Cleveland a second time, if his hand is forced, I’m told he won’t hesitate to make the appropriate business decision if it means bolting."

So it took only 15 days for “Kevin Love is leaving” rumors to begin and about two months for the “LeBron James might go with him” rumblings to come up. By that point, the sky was falling in Cleveland. The team was 18-12 (which for some reason brought up worry) and still trying to find its identity, and the Atlanta Hawks (23-8) and Toronto Raptors (24-8) were the best two teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s crazy how things change in just a matter of months.

DAVID BLATT

If you know me or follow me on Twitter, then you probably know that I have been in David Blatt’s corner ever since the Cavs hired him in the offseason. I liked his attitude, I liked his pedigree and I liked his self-confidence. If you’re a coach in the NBA and don’t immediately succeed, you’re automatically deemed a failure. And so was the case of Blatt, who had many detractors right off the bat.

Whether it was a bandwagon Cavs fan that hasn’t watched a game since 2010, a national sports writer that wanted to see Mark Jackson coach LeBron James or any other person that created a ridiculous storyline to get him out, they all wanted Blatt gone. But David Griffin is a smart man, and he knew what kind of leader he had in Blatt. He knew Cleveland was banged up, and he knew that Blatt needed a starting lineup better than Matthew Dellavedova, Kyrie Irving, Mike Miller, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson to be a contender. So instead of firing his coach, Griffin made a pair of great moves, and it turned out pretty well for the team.

Yes, he has a star-studded lineup and an immense amount of talent on his roster. But talent doesn’t always necessary equal championships, just ask the 2012-2013 Lakers. It takes a heck of a coach to come into his first season at the NBA level and have the success that he’s had already. Give the man some credit, please.   Side note: Of course there are still dopes out there that think David Blatt is gone no matter what happens. But Dan Gilbert wasn’t having it.

MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA

Back in December when I covered a game and before the entire world knew about the scrappy Aussie guard, LeBron James basically endorsed Delly for the first time.

I don’t think I have to explain this one to anyone since it’s so recent. Let me just say that some national television organizations have an agenda to fulfill and speculate, while others decide that reporting facts is their job.

DOUBLE STANDARD OF INJURY

“The recent storyline of how everyone they played in the playoffs dealt with injuries while ignoring Love/Kyrie injuries.” – Ryan I.

“If the Bulls had Pau Gasol for those two games, Cleveland would’ve lost.”

“If DeMarre Carroll didn’t tweak his knee and Kyle Korver didn’t go down, the Hawks would’ve gave the Cavs a fight.”

Two claims that for all we know might have been true, but blatantly forget to mention the injury problems that Cleveland has dealt with throughout the postseason.

What started with a devastating season-ending injury to Kevin Love’s shoulder ended up turning into a banged up Iman Shumpert, a Kyrie Irving playing at 60% and LeBron James spraining his ankle. So while there were significant injuries to the Cavs’ opponents in the playoffs, let’s not forget that they’ve been hampered with them as well- just as every other team in the postseason has gone through.

Those five are just a small taste of the ridiculous stories and rumors that Cleveland has had to endure, regular season and postseason included.

But witnessing the Cleveland Cavaliers grow and mature from a group of talented individuals into a well-oiled, championship-contending machine has been a long journey, but it was worth it.

I can’t guarantee a championship. That’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to lead. I will guarantee that we will play our asses off. From the first minute to minute 48 or if it’s overtime, 53. We will do that. And at the end of the night, that’s all I can ask for. It’s all we can give. But we will be in the Finals. I can guarantee that.

When I heard LeBron James’ post-game presser after the Cavs won game four of the Eastern Conference Finals and swept the Hawks, I realized that EVERYONE on the Cavs bench, from the reserves to the assistant coaches and every other part of Cleveland’s staff, was a close-knit bunch.

It’s a team that is out-hustling to get every rebound.

It’s a team that is banged up and fighting for every loose ball.

It’s a team that is playing loose, but poised.

It’s a team that will give you every inch of breath that it has.

It’s a team that’s having fun.

It’s a team that was once a super power the national media had its eyes on and wanted to adopt it as its own.

But now it’s a team that defines the city it represents and truly is, “All In.”

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